Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brittany Rogelstad. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brittany, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Isla & Saige was born out of an experience my daughter and I lived every day.
Before starting our brand, we owned an online clothing boutique where we purchased clothing wholesale and sold it online and at events. Like many small retailers, most of the products we sourced were manufactured overseas, primarily in China. We loved fashion and enjoyed helping women find pieces that made them feel beautiful, but over time we became increasingly uncomfortable with what we were seeing behind the scenes.
We still remember opening shipment after shipment and being hit with the overwhelming smell of chemicals coming from the clothing. The garments often looked great in photos, but once they arrived, the quality was disappointing. Fabrics felt cheap, construction was inconsistent, and many pieces simply weren’t made to last.
At the same time, customers at our events would frequently ask a question that we couldn’t answer the way we wanted to: “Do you have anything made in the USA?” Every time we had to say no, it felt like a missed opportunity. It became clear that many consumers were looking for something different—better quality, more transparency, and products they could feel good about purchasing.
The turning point came when we started connecting those experiences with our own family’s health journey. Autoimmune disease affects multiple members of our family, which has made us very conscious about what we put in and on our bodies. We pay close attention to the food we eat, the products we use in our homes, and the ingredients in our skincare. Yet we had never stopped to ask an important question: What are our clothes made of?
As we began researching the textile industry, what we discovered was eye-opening. We learned that a significant percentage of clothing today is made from synthetic materials that are treated with chemicals, including substances commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” The deeper we dug, the more we realized that consumers who cared about clean living had very few options when it came to everyday fashion.
There were a handful of athletic wear companies talking about non-toxic clothing, but very few brands creating timeless, elevated everyday pieces with the same commitment to health, quality, and transparency. We saw a gap in the market. Women were being forced to choose between style and conscious living, and we believed they shouldn’t have to.
That realization became the foundation for Isla & Saige.
We set out to create the kind of clothing we wished existed: beautiful, timeless pieces made from natural fabrics, crafted with non-toxic dyes and materials, and manufactured ethically in Los Angeles. We wanted clothing that felt as good as it looked—pieces that could be worn for years rather than seasons.
What excited us most wasn’t just creating another fashion brand. It was building a company that aligned with our values and addressed a problem that wasn’t receiving enough attention. We believed there was a growing community of women who cared deeply about wellness, sustainability, craftsmanship, and quality but didn’t want to sacrifice style.
Today, every Isla & Saige piece reflects that original vision. We are committed to American manufacturing, natural fabrics, non-toxic materials, and exceptional craftsmanship. In a world increasingly dominated by fast fashion, we are creating clothing designed to be cherished, passed down, and worn for years to come.
What started as frustration with the products we were selling became a mission to create something better—for ourselves, our customers, and future generations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Suzanne Rogelstad, co-founder of Isla & Saige, a women’s clothing brand I built alongside my daughter Brittany. What makes our story special is that Isla & Saige is truly a family business rooted in shared values, creativity, and a desire to create something meaningful.
Our backgrounds are very different, which has become one of our greatest strengths. My daughter brings a fresh perspective on design, branding, and what modern women are looking for in their wardrobes, while I focus on operations, finance, wholesale partnerships, and growing the business. Together, we combine experience, creativity, and a deep commitment to building a company that reflects what matters most to us.
At Isla & Saige, we create timeless women’s clothing designed to be worn and loved for years. We focus on natural fabrics such as linen and cotton, small-batch production, and manufacturing in Los Angeles. Our collections are inspired by the effortless beauty of coastal living and classic American style—pieces that feel both elevated and easy to wear.
What we provide goes beyond clothing. We provide an alternative to the disposable mindset that has become so common in fashion. Today’s consumers are overwhelmed with choices, yet many struggle to find garments that offer quality, longevity, and transparency. We believe women deserve clothing that not only looks beautiful but is thoughtfully made from start to finish.
One of the problems we solve is helping women build wardrobes with fewer, better pieces. Instead of purchasing trendy items that quickly go out of style, our customers invest in timeless silhouettes that remain relevant season after season. We want women to open their closets and reach for pieces they love year after year.
What sets us apart is our commitment to craftsmanship and intentionality. Every decision—from fabric sourcing to manufacturing partners—is made with quality in mind. We work with local Los Angeles manufacturers because we believe knowing who makes your clothing matters. Producing domestically allows us to maintain high standards, support skilled artisans, and ensure that every garment meets our expectations.
We are also part of a growing movement toward more mindful fashion. Consumers today are asking deeper questions about where their products come from, what they’re made of, and how they impact both people and the environment. We welcome those questions and believe transparency should be the norm rather than the exception.
The accomplishment I am most proud of is building a brand that reflects our values without compromising our vision. In an industry often driven by speed and volume, we have chosen a different path—one focused on quality, integrity, and creating lasting relationships with our customers.
More than anything, I want people to know that Isla & Saige is built with intention. We are not trying to be the biggest fashion brand. We are focused on creating beautiful, thoughtfully made clothing that women can feel good about wearing. Every collection is designed with care, every fabric is selected with purpose, and every piece reflects our belief that fashion should be timeless, not temporary.
At its heart, Isla & Saige is about slowing down, choosing quality over quantity, and celebrating the beauty of clothing that is made to last.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding Isla & Saige has been one of the most challenging parts of our journey. Like many small businesses, we started with a vision that was much bigger than our resources. We initially assumed we would be able to secure a business loan, but quickly learned that most lenders want to see a proven track record—typically at least two years in business and significant annual revenue—before they will even consider an application.

Without access to outside funding, family investments, or financial support from friends, we had to find another way. We bootstrapped the business from the beginning, using profits generated from our online store and carefully reinvesting every dollar back into the brand. We also strategically utilized credit cards that offered introductory 0% interest periods, which allowed us to purchase inventory, fund production, and cover operating expenses while we continued to grow.

That approach required a tremendous amount of discipline and creativity. Every decision had to be weighed against our cash flow, and we often had to prioritize one area of the business over another. In many ways, limited capital slowed our growth. With additional funding, we could have hired specialists for marketing, operations, and other key functions much earlier. Instead, we wore every hat ourselves and learned nearly every aspect of running a fashion brand firsthand.

While bootstrapping has certainly been our biggest obstacle, it has also become one of our greatest strengths. Building the company this way has forced us to be resourceful, resilient, and intentional with every dollar we spend. There have been plenty of long days, late nights, and difficult decisions along the way, but we believe that meaningful businesses are often built through perseverance. The sweat equity we’ve invested has shaped not only the brand, but also who we are as entrepreneurs, and we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come with the resources we had.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

We manufacture all of our garments, and that process has been one of the biggest learning experiences of our entrepreneurial journey.
When my daughter and I decided to start Isla & Saige, we had a clear vision for the brand, but very little experience in the actual manufacturing process. We knew we wanted our clothing to be made in Los Angeles using high-quality natural fabrics, but we had no roadmap and no mentor showing us how to get there.
Like many new founders, we started by reaching out to factories in Los Angeles. The experience was humbling. We quickly realized that entering the manufacturing world without industry connections or technical knowledge was challenging. Some factories didn’t take us very seriously because we were a new, small brand, while others quoted prices that were far beyond what we could afford at the time.
There were definitely moments when the process felt overwhelming.
One trip to Los Angeles ended up changing everything. We were visiting fabric suppliers and learning as much as we could about sourcing materials. At the end of one meeting, I decided to ask the owner of a fabric company if he knew of any manufacturers he would recommend. Without hesitation, he told us about a woman he had worked with and spoke very highly of. He gave us her phone number, and we immediately called her.
We were eager to meet her that day, but she didn’t return our call until a few days later. Looking back, that delay was a blessing because when we finally connected, we knew almost immediately that she was the right person for us. She took the time to explain the process, answer our endless questions, and guide us through each step of development. As first-time founders, having someone willing to educate us and genuinely invest in our success made all the difference.
That relationship helped transform what felt like an intimidating process into something we could learn and eventually become proficient at.
Over the last few years, we’ve gained an entirely new appreciation for what goes into creating a quality garment. We’ve learned how important patterns, fit, fabric behavior, grading, construction techniques, and communication are throughout the development process. We’ve also learned that every detail matters.
One of the biggest lessons has been the value of experience and preparation. In the beginning, it often took us three or four rounds of samples before we achieved the fit and look we wanted. Today, because we better understand garment construction and know how to communicate our vision more clearly, we can often achieve the desired result in just one or two sample rounds. That saves both time and money while allowing us to bring products to market more efficiently.
We’ve also learned that manufacturing is about relationships as much as it is about production. Finding partners who believe in your vision, communicate well, and care about quality is invaluable. The right manufacturing partner doesn’t simply make your product—they become an extension of your team.
Perhaps the most important lesson we’ve learned is that building a product takes patience. There are no shortcuts when you’re committed to quality. Every challenge, mistake, and revision has taught us something that has made both our products and our company stronger.
Today, we’re proud that every Isla & Saige piece is made in Los Angeles and reflects the craftsmanship, care, and attention to detail that we set out to achieve from the beginning. While we still learn something new every season, those early experiences taught us the importance of persistence, curiosity, and surrounding yourself with people who are willing to help you grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.islaandsaige.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islaandsaige/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/islaandsaige
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-rogelstad-383593227/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/islaandsaige/
  https://www.tiktok.com/@islaandsaige

Image Credits

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