Making Dresses That Make Memories – The Ivy City Co. Founders’ Story

If you are approaching life with genuine authenticity and
intention for good that you’re going to find good things. Welcome to the Know
Your Ship podcast presented by E-Hub. I’m your host Frank Dolce. >> Do
you go by Maline Hamilton? >> Yes. >> Because on the website
>> I know it’s a lot. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> Maline Becker
Hamilton is my driver’s license name. So my Instagram is >> call you
Maddie B. Like is that a nickname? >> My family calls me Maddie. >>
So maybe by the end of the podcast we’ll be on that level. >> I know. I
hear a lot of people call you >> Maddie. >> I hear a lot of
people call you Mads. >> Yes. Wow. You do your deep digging. Any job
I’ve ever had, I have become mads at the office. It It doesn’t transcend the
office. I’m Mads at the office. >> It’s so funny. every job. >>
Yeah, I think I would call you Mattie B. >> You can call me Mattie B,
>> but I’m going to call you Maline for this. >> I appreciate you
saying it correctly. >> Mattaline. >> It’s always Maline. Even if
I introduce myself to someone, I shake the hand. I say, hi, I’m Maline. It’s
repeated back, Matteline. It’s so nice to meet you. And I feel like I’m
living a lie. >> Do you run into that pretend to be Maline regularly?
So, I appreciate you. >> Yeah, absolutely. It’s my pleasure. I have a
last name that can be difficult for people, but it doesn’t seem like it
should be difficult. Dolce. >> D O L C E. How would you say that?
>> Dolce. >> Dolce. >> Yeah. Doulce. Is that what people
say? >> Well, interestingly enough, I I grew up in Southern California.
In Southern California, I still am Doulce. That’s how I grew up. >>
Douli. When I came to Utah, somehow >> it became Dolce. >> That’s
interesting. >> And so now I’m >> Are you Italian? >> Dolce
here. Uh-huh. Half. >> So is Ellie. Oh, your triplet. >> Oh,
>> yeah. Yes, absolutely. Whitney, your name is not as interesting. I’m
so sorry. >> Smith with everyone else in Utah. >> Yeah, >>
my hus It’s my husband’s fault. >> Yeah. Smith. >> Smith. Did you
fight? >> Interesting. >> What was What’s your maiden name?
>> Price. Whitney Price. Smith doesn’t really flow, so just dropped it.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. My brother is a Price. He can carry the line
along. >> Yeah, why not? >> Carry the line. I have five brothers,
so they’re they’re carrying them. >> Yeah. >> So, did you feel
like uh you weren’t really trading up or down with Price to Smith? It was
just like >> literally the It was a lateral >> or exact same
amount of letters. It’s like >> Price Smith. Same. Same. It’s like the
exact same. Not interesting. >> Did you grow up in Utah? >> Mhm.
Born and raised. >> Which part? >> Draper. >> Right here.
>> Right. And I live in Draper right now. Did >> different areas,
but yes, my kids will go to the same school. It’s really weird. >> But
that wasn’t Corner Canyon. Which school? >> No, they it was only Ala at
the time. >> So your kids you’re going you went to Ala? >> I went
to Ala and my kids will go to Ala. >> Oh, >> yep. >> Nice.
The Hawks. >> Uhhuh. The Hawks. Yeah. No. >> And Tosh, who’s
also, you know, the other founder. Her kids >> Natasha. >>
Natasha. So her and I I live on the west side of Draper. She lives in Sandy,
Pepperwood, >> but yet her kids will also, she has a son right now,
Ela. They also go to Alta. And Tosh and I both went to Alta. I don’t know.
>> Is it Ala or Alta? >> I say Ala. >> Yeah. I think when
you’re in Utah, you say Ala. >> Alta. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I
think when you come to the state from outside, you say Alta. >> But
>> but now I say Ala. Yeah. >> And I say hurricane because it’s
not hurricane. >> Hurricane. Hurricane. >> And how do you say
Leon? >> Leon. I do. >> Leighton. >> Exactly. >> It’s
not Leighton. >> Leon. >> Leon. >> Leon. >> It was a
French. >> Like, nope. >> And Maline, you grew up in Texas.
>> I sure did. >> Which part? >> College Station. >>
If you don’t know sports, you probably don’t know. >> Texas&M.
>> You got it. >> Of course. >> Yep. >> So, are you
an Aggie fan? >> I am, but not as much as my mom. She is. She’s the
sports gal. And how did you end up in Utah? >> It’s a long story.
>> Give me the Reader’s Digest. >> Um, I went to college in
Dallas. I went to an art school. >> And after school, I was not in a
great mental headsp space. I kind of needed a restart at life. And I had
friends living in Salt Lake that had an empty apartment room or house room
with their family. And they said, “Come live with us for the summer. Get
back on your feet. Find yourself free stay.” I’m like, “Free
rent?” my student that is a joke. How will anyone ever marry me? Um, and
so I said, “Sure, let’s do it.” I’d never been. I just loaded up my
little Mazda like to the top and I drove out and it’s been like 12 years.
>> She never went back. >> Never left. >> You never went
back to Texas. >> No, it was the bingo. >> You even left your
accent there. >> I left it behind. I kept the all. That’s it. >>
I feel like you’ve lived like nine lives. >> I know. Every time we do
something, I’m like still learning more things about you. I’m like, well,
I’ve known you for how many years now? Seven, eight, >> nine, I don’t
know. >> I feel like this like maybe there’s another podcast in here
somewhere. >> I mean, we’re going to talk about Ivy City. >>
We’ll see. >> Roll it back on that. >> When you you were like you
needed a reset and then I was thinking, wait a second, we should really dig
into that. >> Well, she she’s done a million things. Like she was a big
YouTube or a No, was it blogging? It was blog. I was a blogger before
Instagram. I blog the whole thing. >> Instagram. Yeah. >> Did you
have a topic or >> It was like fashion and art. >> Okay. >>
If I showed you, you wouldn’t consider it fashion or art, but at the time it
was >> I was a Tumblr girl. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yes. I feel
like when you have to survive, you adapt and you do a lot of things to make
ends meet. So, >> yeah. We played that game. >> It’s a hustler.
>> Awesome. I bet a lot of great life experiences. We’re still figuring
that out. >> Yes. Okay. So, for both of you, was has fashion always
been a thing? Like, did you grow up feeling like >> I This is I really
gravitate Yeah, I really gravitate toward this. And And I know you’re you’re
an accountant, formerly CPA. >> Uh that doesn’t seem like a a match.
>> I know. I think. >> So, so tell tell me about I just I’m I’m
curious about how you got here. >> Do you want me to start first? Yeah,
you go. >> Okay, I’ll go first. So, I’ve I think I think I’m an anomaly
in my family, too. I just have always had a really like strong personality
and I loved clothing and I loved playing dress up and dolls and I was always
very girly, but for some reason I loved math. It just like things in my
brain. Like I remember, it’s weird cuz I can remember friends phone numbers
and stuff in my brain still. I remember people’s birthday dates down to the
date like my neighbors. I’m like, “Oh yeah, I have all your kids birth
dates memorized.” I don’t just numbers stick in there really well. I
don’t know what it is about that side of my brain. So when I was in school, I
was just really good at math and I loved I’m kind of an overachiever in
school. My husband’s always like, “You were the teachers.” >>
Not just in school. Okay. Not just in school. >> It transferred over to
her. I guess. I guess. Um, yeah. My husband always teased me cuz he’s like,
“You were for sure the teacher’s pet in school.” But I’m like, “Yeah,
head down, listen.” Right. That’s me still, right? >> Put my head
down, listen. And zoned in. Um, so I just found that I was really good at
math. And so I just kind of leaned into that. >> Um, and then went to
school for it. And then >> Tasha, her and I have always love, we’ve
always been very girly, loved fashion, things like that, always been into,
you know, shoes and dresses and all the things. and but she’s such a creative
more that way and I was always more like the business side and so she asked
me if I wanted to do a fashion business with her and I was like sure that
would be a great creative outlet >> just since we always loved it but
neither of us went to school for fashion. >> Oh you didn’t and >>
were you in an accounting career when she asked you to do this and you guys
you and Natasha are lifelong friends is that true? >> Yeah, we’ve known
each other since middle school. We did drill team together in high school. We
went to do a study abroad together. We lived with each other in college and
then we Tosh got married a little earlier than I did and she um hope she
doesn’t care to share this but I feel like everyone knows she got pregnant on
her honeymoon and so she had a baby. >> A very very Utah story.
>> So she so she started having kids a lot earlier. So I and I was I
was set on my career path. Um and yeah, went to school, got my masters in
accounting, and then I went and worked for a CPA firm. And so I was doing
that full-time. And at that time, I was 60 hours a week, you know, working.
And she was like, “Hey, do you want to start this?” And I don’t
know why I said I would because I didn’t have the time for it. But I feel
like everybody needs that creative outlet even if they don’t have the time
for it, right? You make the time for things that you love and want to do.
>> Absolutely. And so, and at the same time, Tosh had also just had her
third baby. She didn’t have the time either. She was at home. Her husband was
in grad school. She had three kids and she was doing she was a hairdresser
out of her home. >> And why did she want to start an online business?
>> She went to cosmetology school, correct? Yes. >> Yeah. So, I
the timing is never right, but you follow your passion, something that
interests you, you know. >> Okay. Can Can you speak for her even though
she’s not here? What was her inspiration? Why did she decide she wanted to
start a >> She needed a creative outlet. That was it. >> Mhm. I
think she felt like a thing that was just hers. It wasn’t >> being a
mom. It wasn’t being a mom or a wife >> or serving other people doing
their hair. Yeah. >> She wanted something that inspired her that let
her creative, you know, juices flow. And um the reason she asked me to help
with the business is cuz her husband literally said, “That’s great. I
would love to support you in a business, but you got to go find someone
that’s not good at the things that or is good at the things that you’re not
good at.” Oh. >> And she’s like, “Well, I know absolutely
nothing about running a business.” >> Yeah. So, we’re very
similar, but also very different in that way. >> Yeah. >> And And
so, when you first talked about starting >> this fashion business, did
you think of it as like a fashion business or Okay. >> Straight hobby.
>> Okay. >> A hobby in terms of you were just going to make some
dresses and sell them. decided to make things and put stuff out there, but
also we wanted we were inspired to put things out there that we wanted to
wear >> that we could that we couldn’t find. Like as new moms, I’m like
you either have like the mumu style at that time. You know what I mean? Like
as a mom, I don’t know. It just we could I remember her and I went shopping
and we were in Nordstrom’s and she was trying to find a dress for a cruise
and she’s like I don’t really I mean I hope it’s okay I say this but she’s
like I don’t really want my butt hanging out. I don’t want it to be too
short. I’m a mom. I have three kids at home, but I also don’t want to look
like I’m covered from head to toe. So, we just felt like there was a missing
there was this middle ground. There was no middle ground for that at the
time. And her and I that’s literally what started the business is we were
like, “Hey, we want to design stuff that we want to wear.” So, even
if we just design a couple things and we get to wear it, like that’s the
point that was fulfilling enough for us. It wasn’t like, oh, like we
literally told ourselves from the beginning we’re not having employees
>> and now we have like 60ome employees. So yeah. >> Okay. So it
started out as >> as just a like a little creative outlet creative
outlet >> and you wanted to produce stuff that you could wear that you
found wasn’t Well, I have that too. Like I go around and I was like, man, I
wish this but I am not starting a >> I know >> brand. >> I
know. >> Maybe I should. >> Maybe you should. >> You
should. I mean, what are you doing right now? >> Building an empire.
>> Yeah, >> it it is the the know your podcast is rated very
highly. Well, I’m sorry. You’re ready to drop. >> Five stars in the
world. >> But you know what? Everyone has to start somewhere. It’s just
>> I think it’s just trusting your gut and just going for it. >>
No. No. Do you think that is the biggest thing is just overcoming the fear?
>> Mhm. Absolutely. >> Of starting something. >>
Absolutely. >> Yes. Yep. >> It’s like and we have talked about
this too. fear of embarrassment because I feel like it is scary especially in
a time where everyone’s watching and with a business you have to put it out
on like social to get attention and it’s such a public >> thing. Yeah.
>> And people can react to it and people can >> and judge
>> throw terrible comments at you. Especially in this world >>
Yep. There’s lots of that. >> Yeah. I think it’s just being willing to
put yourself out there and just try something. Just try. All you have to do
is give it a try and even if you fail, so what? You might fail. Like what
what’s the worst that could happen? You know what I mean? >> You just
you just have to try. >> I know. Failure sounds pretty bad though.
>> No, I mean we’re friends of failure. >> I was just going to
say how many experiences of failure have we I mean that’s you have to be the
same, right? I mean I feel like in our 10 years there’s failure all over the
place. I know >> the feeling of overcoming the failure or even just learning
from it always feels more rewarding than >> than the despair the
failure. >> It’s interesting because as many times as we hear this
story on this >> podcast about running into an obstacle, failing,
getting back up, dusting yourself. People always say like, “I don’t know
if I’d want to go through it again, but it was the best thing that ever
happened to me.” >> Yep. You learn a lot. still like you find
yourself being afraid to go through that. >> Okay. So, lifelong friends
decided to start this brand and >> you went out there. Well, I’m Yes,
I’m interested in where you went from there. But >> how’ Maline come
along? I’m >> interested to find out. Okay, I’ll tell you because
>> Maline is also listed as a founder. She is of the company. I’ll tell
you how that happened. I let her. Um, so as the as we started the business,
lots of things happened in between. We started growing the business. I’m over
I have took one marketing course in my accounting background. So I’m trying
to and at the time this is right when Facebook ads was really starting to
happen. So I’m literally trying to I’m taking YouTube courses like trying to
teach myself how to which I I can understand the marketing side of it but
that’s also on top of all the accounting you know it was just I was trying to
absorb a lot and I I’m also not the I’m not a microphone like I I didn’t know
how to best do that for the business. Tosh was doing the best she could
creating the content being the face. We just really felt like that was the
piece of the business that was missing was someone who could be we knew what
story we had and we knew and what we wanted to do. We had just introduced the
mommy and me line >> and we wanted everyone out there to hear about it
and we’re like how’s the best way to do this? And Maline and I how long had
we played in bunko. Do you know what bunko is? >> Sure. >> Have
you heard of Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So we played in a
bunko group and we had played together >> but I thought no offense.
>> No fine. I thought much like people of my generation like >>
you know what’s funny is my mom played bunko. >> Yeah. Okay. Makes
sense. >> We’re bringing Bunko back. It’s cool. We’ve made it cool.
It’s the underground networking community of Utah. >> It’s an outlet.
It It’s an outlet for moms to go chat and talk about whatever away from their
kids, away from their spouses, work cous, you know, whatever it is. Okay,
we’re in the >> So, we had we had played together for at least a year,
I think, before and we were just good friends and um she had she was leaving
or had just left her job at the time and um one of my friends was like just
take her to lunch. Let’s just go to lunch or Tosh was like just go to lunch
and I was telling so I played bunko I was introduced to Mads through her
cousin that lives here in Utah. That’s how we were connected. >>
Anyway, she was like just take her to lunch and we did and it was instant
connection. She understood everything that we were trying to brain dump on
her and I think automat we literally left the parking lot and she was the
third founder >> third third business literally it literally happened
like that >> like how okay so how did that occur? How does what do you
mean she was like immediately the third founder? >> Not like
technically not founder but like third owner like we made her a third owner.
We >> you go ahead. >> I can give it to you from my perspective.
So at this point the business had been around for 2 years, right? Two and a
half. >> And tell me again, started started what year? >> 2015.
>> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. So the business had been around
almost 3 years. Um and it had gone through a couple phases like figuring out
who it was. And right before I came in the picture, they had really nailed
it. They figured out who they were, like who their niche was, who their
customer was, but they didn’t have a marketing background. And so when I came
in, that was my background was marketing. I was working at different
companies around here. Um, branding, marketing, scaling businesses. Um, and
so they wanted me, they wanted me to be a consultant. So, I was leaving my
job at the time because I just felt this pull that I had something waiting
for me. >> And I was kind of putting my feelers out, meeting with lots
of people, like what’s my next gig? What do I want to do? Do I want my own
agency? Do I want to work for other people? Like, what is my move here? I
wanted to work in e-commerce. And when they told me like the vision of what
they wanted to communicate, I was like, “This is who I’m meant to
be.” Like this is >> you were already I remember you were already
like brainstorming. You already had all these ideas in your head and we were
discussing it and talking about it and we were just like going back and forth
with each other. You know, >> I see saw it so clearly like these are
the steps we need to do to like blow this thing up like to make it deserves
that this idea they have. It deserves a platform and we’re going to do this
thing together. And this is sentimental, but at this time I was always also
really seeking like female friendship. Like I really needed some friends.
Like I wasn’t from here. I really hit the ground running with building a
career here. And I just needed some gal pals and sisterhood. And that was
also appealing to me cuz there was this authenticity about them. The reason
they were building it wasn’t to be like a cash cow, you know? They’re like,
“We we want to like help women. We want to connect and we want to do it
together.” And I’m like, “I want that.” And over the years,
it’s become referring as founder, but technically it doesn’t make sense. But
I think it’s because we considered it like a rebirth. It was like Ivy 2.0,
which now we’re on like 14.0. >> But um >> it was such a we’ve
always been equal. It’s like we’ve also the three of us have never been huge
on titles because we all have shared things equally or like picked up someone
else’s slack when they’ve needed it or you know, we’re not it’s not it
doesn’t need to be like a tip for tat or any of that. And so I think just the
three founders just like works for us, you know. >> Yeah. >>
Yeah. >> There’s no technicality. >> It was wild. I walked out of
the parking lot and I called my husband. We we’re newly weds. I’m like,
“This is what I’m supposed to do.” And he’s like, “You can’t
pay me. How so for how much?” You know, and I’m like, >>
“You’re our third founder, but we’re not paying you anything.”
>> So that’s the thing. We we didn’t pay ourselves for years because
all the money we made we just put back into the business because we knew we
had this vision and we kept like reaching for that next thing, you know.
We’re like, “Okay, to get to the next thing, we need more money,
right?” So, just >> keep putting the money in. So, >> so we
couldn’t really pay her. >> I have so many questions I need to ask. I’m
I’m >> I’m gonna try and get them all out in some logical fashion. >>
Okay. We’ll try to fire. >> Yeah, >> we Yeah, we’ll try and do
that. Okay. The one of the things I wanted to ask about you were talking
Maline about you had all of these ideas about how to take this to the next
level. Do you remember some of those things like what were some of the things
you thought about where where the company was 2 years in and what you thought
it could be? >> It was all marketing and creative. Um it was at the
time where like influencer marketing was just starting, social media was
becoming very relevant for brands. all like the scrappiest ways to grow a
business because we like we didn’t have a lot of cash, you know, but I knew
our demographic that we were going for, like how to talk to them because it was
us and I had a little taste of it because I had implemented some of these
strategies at past jobs and I knew it would even be like better here because
the product and so >> it was all like influencer marketing like our
email marketing campaigns, our product release strategy, how to build a
community, like local events, like being really personal with the customer. I
had this dream when I was like 15. >> Mhm. >> And this is when I
knew I was going to go into like a marketing career. And it’s kind of weird
story. Every time I start telling it, I’m like, why am I speaking this into
the world? But um I had this dream that I was flipping through a magazine and
I got to this page and it was like a gap ad and it was a gal and like a guy like
standing in like clothes, but it was like an underwear ad and like the whole
point was to like pull off like a flip book. Like you pull it down and like
there was a coupon underneath it. Yeah. It’s like instead of underwear it’s a
coupon. I don’t know. It’s weird. >> But um in that dream I like woke
up and I’m like that’s a good marketing idea. Like this is my career. I want
to work in >> advertising. This wasn’t this was a dream that you had.
This was a dream I had when I was like 15. Oh, this is a weird dream.
Actually went to school for photography. >> Mhm. >> Yes. Anyway,
so I just I feel like I’ve always had a knack for advertising and like how to
connect with the customer. I’ve always been very big on like the age of talking
at customers is over. Like we’re not trying to be something to aspire to.
We’re trying to be something to connect with and relate on. And I feel like
at this time that’s what brands were. It was unattainable. like you don’t
talk in DMs with the brand, you know, like you email customer service and
hear back in two weeks. You’re not hearing from founders on comments, you
know, and like this the times are changing and we want to lead it, but also
we want to we want to be part of this movement of womenowned businesses. Like
we want to like show people you can do this, you know? So it wasn’t even just
about growing our own business. It was like let’s all rally around and do
this together. like we’re girls girls like let’s take over the world and I feel
like a lot of my ideas just stemmed around online marketing social media and
all that stuff and the product design I was so excited >> all the
things that Tosh and I were not doing >> they’re naturals at it
>> right and and did you so did you feel the same that Whitney and
Natasha did about this desire to to create something that was lacking in the
market. >> Absolutely. I connected. >> I think that’s where I
think she had so many interviews with other jobs, right? And I think that’s
where she landed. I remember you literally told us at lunch, I have a whole
rack of dresses. Like she loved dresses, so she really connected with it. And
we were just rolling out the mommy and me. And this was before it was I mean
nobody was doing it. No old navy tart. Like no one was doing the mommy and me
thing. It was literally just Tosh saying, “I have a three-year-old
daughter. I want to see this on her. It would be so cute on her.” And I,
the accountant, was like, “This is a terrible idea. The margins are
gonna be terrible on this >> on your calculator. I’m not sure if this
is adding up. >> It’s such a bad idea.” You know, that’s why we
balance each other because you you have to have multiple people. We sometimes
it’s two against one or whatever, but they thought it was an amazing idea and
we went for it and it Yeah, it did really well. >> Like that was a real
differentiator in our >> the mommy. The mommy and me. Do you think
that’s how people identify >> Ivy Ivy City? still still kind of the the
mommy and I’ I’ve talked to a few people and that has come up >> in
every conversation. Oh, they’ve done the >> Are these by the way your
own creations? >> Always always you see us in a different dress that
we’re not doing a good >> Do you guys also do some of the modeling?
>> Yeah, >> I think I’ve seen that on the >> I don’t do it
as much cuz I I took the photos for a long time. Yeah. I I like behind the
camera. >> Yeah. Well, we’ll have been in a few. Yeah, we’ll do stuff
together. My girls and I have done a lot of the modeling. Posh Toss Tosh
mostly, but >> yeah, >> we’ve done a lot. Yeah. >> Okay.
So, what are these particular >> dresses? >> This one’s called
the Nelly in white denim. >> This they’re they’re both part of our
summer line. Just, >> you know, just florals and >> part of our
heritage collection, like our Fourth of July, hence why we’re wearing them
today. >> Oh, yeah. >> July 3rd. >> They’re fun. I think
that one does not have a No. Does that one have a mini? I can’t remember.
>> It sure does. You know who would like these? Benedict. before he was
a traitor, he would let them. >> Truth is, he might like he went over
to the British and they’re red, white, and blue, too. >> That is true.
We’re talking American history here. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >>
Benedict. I can’t believe you. >> Benedict Arnold. >> Have you
ever thought about naming dresses after historical figures? >> We
haven’t done that. Maybe we should. >> Or the Bessie Ross. >> We
are usually inspired by >> We have done like Audrey and Marilyn.
>> That’s true. Audrey and Marilyn. >> Yes. We’re on first name
basis with them. But um we’ve named dresses after customers which is fun.
>> Do you have Wait, >> Natasha? No. Maline, you have a dress.
>> There’s a Maline. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Is there a
Whitney? >> There’s no Whitney. This is what happened. >> I’ve
been on there. >> Maline designed that dress and it is to this day the
best seller we’ve ever had. >> You did? >> Yes. >> That’s
amazing. >> So, I mean, it’s always a team. Yeah, it’s a team, but it
was inspired by her, hence why it was named Maline. We all kind of are a
little bit more inspired by different designs and so some of them are a
little bit more our own design than the other person. >> Go ahead. I’m
sorry. I’m about to cut you off. >> Say there was just there’s too much
pressure, Tosh. And I feel like there’s too much pressure. >> But does
Maline hold that over your head? Like >> No, she tells us to make Wait,
I didn’t even finish my question. >> I didn’t even finish like >>
to make our own dress. I’m mad about No, no, no. Not to make your own dresses
just like you know you guys maybe you could pull your weight. I’ve designed
the most popular dress in the line and you guys >> for t that’s just
not our style. >> There’s no competitive nothing. >> I feel like
there is at times but >> I feel like in a healthy way. >> In a
healthy way. Yeah. >> We always come back to home base. >> I’d
kind of like that to be a thing. >> Yeah. >> Like >> be a
little more competitive with each other. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But
you not. But no, >> I I feel like we all have a competitive edge
because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have grown the business because I feel like
we’re competing with ourselves all the time. And >> so >> I feel
like we push each other more than compete with each other. It’s on on the
competitive side. I may maybe it’s not competitive, but you started the
company as a as a hobby >> and two years in now you’re like, well, we
need to be we need to have a creative and marketing person join the So, what was
happening in that two years? What all of a sudden made you think, well, we’re
not just a hobby anymore. We’re going to be a real business >> because
we pushed ourselves. We we just felt like there it we threw it out there and
it was really wellreceived like the first dress. Yes. The first dress we ever
put out there really wellreceived and we’re like wow okay people actually
like what we’re putting out here. Let’s do it again. Let’s do it again. So we
kept trying but then we felt like we didn’t have this platform. We didn’t
start I feel like a lot of brands are able to start based on a platform
that’s already built for them. whether they’re a celebrity or an influencer
or or they have funding or they have funding or you know like no it’s true
like I feel like that’s how a lot or you know you start based on a platform
you already have and you grow that platform even further. We had no platform.
We literally launched a website with hardly any Instagram like we just
started an Instagram account from zero. I mean we didn’t have neither Tasha
and I were bloggers. So we literally started from nothing. So I think when we
were doing all the things we needed to, we were trying to reach people on
Instagram, we were trying to build email and SMS, you know, list, we needed a
different way to go about that and that was the marketing world that I just
didn’t know. So that’s why we brought her on a couple years later cuz we knew
it was wellreceived from the people that were seeing it. So we were like, how
we need a we need a megaphone like how do we get this out? How do more people
learn about this? You know, we just didn’t know how to do that. >>
Where were you? >> Sure. And where were you uh manufacturing all of
your products at this point? >> At this point, all in China, >>
and you were doing all of the design. >> Yep. And I >> How did
you Okay, so you have zero experience. And >> how did you >>
They’re masterers. >> Yeah. I think we just have always been hustlers
from the beginning. Like we Tosh would go to the store and she would like
find a perfect dress in like her kid size that she was like I love how this
fits perfectly on my daughter or on myself. Let’s take the exact measurements
with a size chart. I mean we weren’t putting together any like full tech
packs at the time. We had no schooling in that. We didn’t know what a tech
pack was, you know. So we’re just like sending measurements to our
manufacturers and um reaching out to manu crazy story. We walked at market
which is like a there it’s in Vegas there’s a big market where boutique you
know >> and we were walking on the sourcing side and we literally were
looking for a manufacturer and we’re like we just need to find one person
here that speaks English just one person that can speak cuz they their
English was terrible and we didn’t like I said we didn’t know techs we
weren’t a big company so we just needed to find one manufacturer that could
understand our lingo like our newbie lingo and what we wanted to put out
there and we found a manufacturer. It’s crazy. We still use her today. She’s
also grown her business with us, but we just needed to find one business that
could start with us and also minimums. Low minimum >> person that could
speak English is how we decided who we were manufacturing in the beginning.
>> Yep. And that’s and she only let she let us only do like a hundred
or something at a time. Like really minimum >> 100 orders. >> 100
dresses like a hundred of one style. >> Gotcha. >> Okay. >>
Yeah. And and because you weren’t I think you’ve mentioned this elsewhere,
but you weren’t you just didn’t have a lot of quantity at the at the time and
so it was hard to find manufacturers who would produce and >> such a
small amount. Yeah. >> And the mommy platform. >> I