We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erin McCarty. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erin below.
Alright, Erin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
This origin story of Better Than Your Bandana.
I was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, and I am a multi-dimensional artist with a background in Emergency Medicine. In March of 2020, everyone’s world changed because of COVID-19. As the virus spread and fear grew, masks were flying off the shelves and almost impossible to acquire, even for hospital staff. As someone who used to work in an Emergency Room, I knew the importance of hospital employees having proper Personal Protective Equipment while recognizing the needs of the general public. I knew I had to do something.
At the time, the CDC recommended wearing a bandana if a person didn’t have a regular mask. So, in response to the demand for masks and limited supply to the public, me and my sister created a Facebook group called “Better Than Your Bandana” where people could get on a list to request masks. Some people requested one, others requested fifty. My goal was to provide a sense of joy and community by providing a personalized, well made mask to those in need. There was no charge for the masks, but donations were accepted to keep the operation going so others who cannot afford to pay for a mask could get one.
Through meaningful connections and relationships built over the years, Better Than Your Bandana naturally evolved into a small business with a curated community I call the “BTYB Fam.” My slogan soon became, “with love and joy, Erin.”
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.
Gosh, I’ve had so many experiences. Where do I start? I went to college in the pursuit of being an attorney. I double majored in political science and philosophy with a concentration in religion. During my junior year, I decided to pause because I was unsure of the path I was taking. I decided to enroll in EMT classes through the city of Virginia Beach, became a volunteer EMT, and with that training was able to land a job at Sentara Virginia Beach General as an ER-Tech. About four years of emergency medicine and 911 all the time, I needed switch gears again but this time I had more life experience. I enrolled back in classes and decided to go the Art Therapy route. I switched my major to psychology and started taking art classes. During this time I was offered a seasonal job to bartend down in the Bahamas. I thought to myself, why not? You’re about to graduate and get a big girl job, so why not go have a little bit of fun? So I accepted and moved down to a little private island called Chub Cay. I spent several months bartending while taking a few online courses so I could graduate in May. After graduation I was offered a job working as a stewardess on a congressman’s yacht in Abaco, Bahamas. I decided to accept and save lots of moeny to prepare for grad school. I moved back in August, met the love of my life, and got a job at a small coffee shop where I worked for two years before Covid hit. I believe all of these different experiences with jobs, people, and cultures gave me the skills I needed in order to succeed and set myself apart as a small business owner and artist.
In March of 2020, Better Than Your Bandana started as a Facebook group where people could sign up to receive a well-made mask for free. I watched my sister sew for two weeks and assisted with the “non-machine” work (ironing, clipping, snipping, etc) and eventually learned how to put masks together on my own all I needed was my own machine. My older sister is a pediatric physician assistant with three kids and did not have time or desire to turn BTYB into a business, so I was passed the baton completely and took over. My mom gifted me a small sewing machine and I moved the operation to my home where I sewed masks from sun up to sun down nearly every single day.
Something that has always been important to me are small details. My strong suit is craftsmanship and that’s something I harnessed and learned in my college art courses but what really fuels me the most is helping others feel recognized, loved, appreciated, and surprised through gifts and acts of service. I’ve always LOVED gifting. If I could have any job in the world, it would be Santa. I believe this part of me is what sets me apart from other business owners because I’m not just here to make money, I want to get to know you on a personal level so what I make for you is unlike anything you’ve ever received. I want you to laugh. I want you to cry. I want you to love what I’ve made so much that you keep it forever (hopefully it lasts that long).
The idea behind my brand is to spark joy and inspiration by creating a unique experience with each product. The small details matter the most which is why the majority of hardware and fabric is sourced from other female owned small businesses in the United States. So not only are you supporting me, you’re supporting other women and their dreams, too. Better Than Your Bandana is an intimate brand full of love, humor and small business commradery.
One of the things I am most proud of is my ability to connect, learn, and grow from the challenges of new projects/requests from customers. When I take custom orders, I schedule an hour long consultation call (sometimes it goes longer). This gives me the opportunity to get to know the customer on a personal level (this helps with being able to surprise them with extra special details) and gauge whether I can tackle their request or not. If I can’t, I send them to someone who can. I never know what to expect but I’m always surprised at my ability to followthrough.
Here I am four years later making leather harnesses for people going to Burning Man (this was a tremendous endeavor), and glow-in-the-dark, faux leather crossbody boo bags. Four years ago, I would have never guessed I would be where I am, but I deeply believe that when you follow your heart with the right intentions, good things always follow. I am blessed to have a strong support system and husband, too. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m definitely not the person you go to for fixing clothes, I’m the person you seek out when you want an incredibly personal gift (for yourself or someone else). From tongue-in-cheek humor to small details that bring people to tears, my brand encompasses it all. You won’t find anything like what I make in stores.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Word of mouth! Many customers are recommended by someone else. I also participate in a few local markets during the year, which I love because there are some pieces that photographs just can’t capture well enough. I also love the excitement and meeting new customers and artists.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
The courage to be disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. What I make and who I am isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. You have to be brave and get yourself out there!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.betterthanyourbandana.myshopify.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/betterthanyourbandana
- Facebook: Facebook.com/groups/betterthanyourbandana