We were lucky to catch up with Kim Shriver recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kim, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.

I love the idea of a family business. My husband and his family actually own a business and it has really inspired me. I have been fortunate in being able to watch my husbands family’s business grow over the years. My kids are growing up in this business and are learning what a good work ethic is. My business is completely different from my husband’s of course! I do take advice from him at times and other times I like to learn the hard way. I am a small online boutique specializing in custom t-shirts. Though I do this for locals and online, I do hope to make this a big business someday. I hope that my kids can carry it on and maybe start a small side business of their own! I love that my kids see how hard both my husband and I work. I also have a full time job as an Esthetics Instructor at a local cosmetology school. I want my children to learn what good work ethic is and what it means to build something and that you don’t have to have just a typical 9-5.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my business like many, during Covid. I took time away from teaching and decided to open an online boutique. I thought I had such a great idea! Then everyone else has the same idea haha! I still moved forward with it. I started with actual boutique Women’s clothing then eventually bought a heat press and sublimation printer, then from there added t-shirts and custom tumblers and it just kind of evolved from there. I have of course gone back to teaching full time, which I absolutely love! But I still have my little side business as well and often take custom orders for shirts and cups. It can be hard at times working full time and putting the time and effort into my business and at times I have thought about closing shop because the market is pretty saturated. But then I stop and think and take a look back at where I started and where I am now. I think about how much I have learned and grown. So I keep pushing forward. I know there are a lot of people who do that I do, so what sets me apart is my talent for this and my willingness to keep learning. I get challenged to do custom designs and I have pushed myself to start learning the design side of this. One thing I want my followers to know is how thankful I am! I am thankful for anyone who has followed me on social media, whether they have purchased or not, if they’ve engaged with my business, liked my posts, shared my page or name. All of those things are what have made me and my business and I couldn’t do it without the support of my followers/customers and of course my family! Thank you all!!

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

When I first got started I had no idea what I was doing. I invested in some classes to learn how to obtain a business license, how to purchase and where to purchase from. When I got into making t-shirts I didn’t know what I was doing either. I spent a lot of time learning and taking courses online. I had so many failed products but then eventually I started to get better and better. So yes and no. I purchase the blank t-shirts or tumblers and I press the designs on myself. I have started designing some on my own as well. I invested a lot of time in learning this craft. It is definitely a lot of trial and error! I have learned to make sure to order extra supplies in case you mess up.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One thing I’ve learned is not to say yes to everything. I took an order with the intention of trying to figure out how to do it and it did not turn out in my favor. So if it’s something I don’t feel comfortable doing, I am honest and let my customer know.  

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopwildorchidboutique.com
• Instagram: @wild_orchid_boutique_ks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/342539516929769/?ref=share_group_link