We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamie McDonald . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamie below.

Hi Jamie, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Pure grit and determination. Not giving up when things are slow or running backwards. Building a business is the hardest work you’ll ever do in order for that business to succeed. You have to be behind every step and as a business owner, fill in where others may lack in order to propel ahead.

Jamie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been a photographer for decades with store front studios across the country. I was lead out to a local haunt called Malice Haunted Attraction under the guise of doing promotional image work for their advertising. I didn’t the summer shooting, editing and coming up with advertising pieces for they social media outlets and ultimately got roped into working the haunt as a que actor.

That first night of opening I came out of the gate and the owner of the haunt, Rob Osborne, beckoned me over and asked about my costume. I of course had made it from head to toe. He had always wanted to get into that party if the haunt industry and asked if I had heard of Transworld and if we began a business would it be something I was interested in. I had previously spent about 12 years designing children’s boutique clothing and then went into the corporate world and opened my photography studios and only designed for fun, so I said YES!

I was not new to the design world, but the haunt aspect was totally new to me. I researched and looked up other companies in the industry looked what they offered and their quality and I found quite a few that I have actually become good friends with. But what I found lacking was creativity and a historical nod to character costumes. All of which I had experience with and could bring that level of expertise to the field. I design and hand make every costume from top to bottom with all the techniques and skills I’ve learned over the Decades of historical and children’s costuming. I think what sets me apart is I love to bring in historical references and my quality stands up to the wear and tear that is abundant and haunted attractions.

I am most proud of the fact that this was built on a whim and an idea and has grown so much in less than a year. We’ve already made a name for ourselves in the industry and have costumes all across the country.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Quality work sets my company apart. Distressing garments to fit a haunted theme without turning them into spray painted tags that last a season. Timely messages to my customers and writing with them to not just build a costume but a fully rounded character.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth! When my clients get their customs and start their suicidal media presence, others come to me to help build out their characters with new unique ideas.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: McslaughterEmporium
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/mcslaughteremporium
• Other: TikTok @mcslaughteremporium

Image Credits
Jamie McDonald – Freedom Art Design