We recently connected with Kathryn Dickson and have shared our conversation below.
Kathryn, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
Yes, absolutely! I have designed medical apparel that incorporates a stethoscope holder on the pants. This is completely unique and there is a patent pending on my design. As a medical professional, I found an important void in the functionality of scrubs on the market today. I have always had an interest in fashion design, so much so that I designed and created all my own formal wear during high school and considered going to to design school. But my interest in nursing was my true calling. I had hoped to someday unite these two passions and found the perfect opportunity after trying to find a way carry my stethoscope, and all my other essentials, at work. For several reasons, wearing a stethoscope around your neck is unhealthy and hazardous. It seemed obvious that medical apparel needed to have a place to hold a stethoscope. After creating over 10 patterns and numerous samples, I found a very simple but effective way to easily hang and access the stethoscope. I also incorporated several other functional improvements including a badge clip, sheer holder, creditcard/ID zipper pocket, and multiple pockets for phone and other needs.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I can’t remember a time that I did not want to be a medical professional. When I was little, one of my favorite toys was a Fisher Price doctor’s kit. In first grade, I packed a ‘real’ first aid kit to take to school and spent every recess cruising the playground looking for bumps and scrapes that I could clean and bandage. There was never a question about what I was going to be when I grew up. But in my teen years, I became very interested in fashion. I designed and sewed all my own dresses for proms, formals and special events. I was also volunteering at Scripps Hospital. I was determined to go to nursing school and I was particularly passionate about working in the emergency department. I then went on to get my doctorate as a nurse practitioner in Emergency Medicine. The emergency room is a hectic place. You need to be ready at all times for anything, and having the right equipment on hand is critical. Like everyone else, I wore my stethoscope around my neck. But then I got a rash on my neck from my stethoscope and I had no where else to hold it. Carrying it was not an option. Stethoscopes are expensive and critical to the job. You do not want to set yours down in a rush and lose it. There was no place for it on any of the available medical scrubs. And, there were other things scrubs were not able to provide, like places for tools and personal items. I still had a love for fashion design and had always hoped one day I would be able to explore that area more. My frustration with the scrubs on the market was a natural lead into designing something that I felt would be a terrific improvement for myself and so many people in the medical fields. Medical professionals work long, hard hours. Our clothing needs to be functional, comfortable, and good looking. This is what we wear all day, every day. It should reflect the high level of competency and skills of the person wearing it. I am extremely proud of what I have created in OliveUs. The functionality come from real hospital experience, and the fabric and style is something delightful to wear.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Yes I can! All of this journey has taken resilience. I thought the hard part would be creating the design. Boy was I wrong about that. First off, my timing for starting this company was disastrous. I set off on my journey in November of 2019. By the time I had my first sample it was March 2020 and Covid was changing the world in every way possible. Finding anyone to manufacture my samples was close to impossible. The manufacturing facilities in National City had shut down. The manufacturing facilities in Los Angeles had converted over to providing mostly PPEs. My job in the Emergency Department was demanding in a way that required almost super human stamina. I was exhausted to the core of my being and still determined to make this business work. The fashion industry is not the most wholesome arena and newcomers are extremely vulnerable to being scammed. I hired folks to help me navigate the manufacturing process and they stole my money. I hired pattern makers that had me pay up front and they stole my money. I had people who said they wanted to partner with me and tried to steal my designs. I was working 12 hour shifts sometimes 5 days in a row with only a day off before starting another 5 days in a row, trying to earn enough money to keep going with my business idea. I had invested a lot of money, time and energy into my designs and I absolutely knew I had something special. I’ve learned a lot along the way. It’s been exciting, painful, disappointing, exhausting and every other emotion and feeling in between. But I’m stronger and wiser for standing up to each challenge and finding a way to keep moving forward. I have a better sense of who to trust. I am a better negotiator with the fabric providers and manufacturers. I know when I need help to ask for it or hire someone. And now I am getting to feel the pride of having overcome a million obstacles and see my ideas translated to a tangible product that people love. It’s been a wild ride.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I funded my business by working. Working, working, working. I picked up as many shifts as I could. I worked double shifts. I worked back to back days. I just kept working to earn as much money as I could to pay for the next business expense, attorney bill, accountant bill, materials bill, consulting fee, etc… I wanted to do this all on my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: foroliveus.com
- Instagram: OliveUs Medical Apparel (@foroliveus) https://www.instagram.com/foroliveus
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/foroliveus
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin/in/kathryndicksonrn