Tami Nebesniak, 51, grew up on a family farm in Nebraska and discovered her love for sewing through her grandmother, Anna. Encouraged by her early passion, she studied sewing throughout high school and initially enrolled at Stephens College for Fashion Design before ultimately pursuing a degree in Psychology. She married in 1999 and has two adult children, 24 & 22. Tami’s oldest child has been transitioning since college.
After a 25-year career in social services—advocating for children and families involved in the juvenile court system—Tami has returned to her creative roots, dedicating herself full time to sustainable fashion. Her work centers on combating fast fashion waste through thrifting, upcycling, and supporting reuse centers. Since April 2025, she has devoted herself to growing her brand, BasementFIVE, showcasing at local markets and pop-up events.
BasementFIVE was born from Tami’s time working at a transitional housing program for homeless families near 39th and Troost—Kansas City’s historic dividing line. In the basement of “Building 5,” surrounded by donated clothing, she envisioned transforming discarded materials into something beautiful and purposeful. The brand embodies that vision: a commitment to creativity, sustainability, and community impact, with a long-term goal of evolving into a social enterprise that provides skill-building opportunities, scholarships, and community support.
Today, BasementFIVE transforms denim into vibrant, upcycled bell bottoms—each pair a one-of-a-kind masterpiece blending bold florals, vintage pin-up art, and retro flair.
