We were lucky to catch up with Kortney Leet recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kortney , appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
Hickory Hills is the name of the street that I grew up on in small town Kentucky. It’s where I found my two passions, family and fashion, making it the perfect name for a fashion label that is centered around family and making memories with loved ones.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! My name is Kortney, and I design original matching dresses for mothers and daughters. I am a 100% self-taught designer fulfilling my life long dream of designing my own clothing line. I grew up in small town Kentucky and was far removed from the fashion world but it has also been my passion. As a young girl, I would spend my days rummaging through mine and my sister’s closets, styling different ensembles, and putting on fashion shows in my living room while my mother would take pictures with a disposable camera. I was fashion blogging way before it was a thing. Fashion has always been a part of my identity, but life lead me in a different path, and I entered into a career in the medical field. I loved my job but there was always a voice inside of me telling me that I was meant to create and in 2020, I no longer could muffle that voice. When COVID hit it changed everything. The world shut down and I had no patients to see, so I found myself at home with my daughter asking myself questions that I imagine most people were asking, like, “Is this really how I want to spend my time?” Life became so unpredictable that it made me stop dreaming and start doing. I took out my laptop and Googled, “How to design a dress.” I had absolutely no idea where to start. I bought a second hand sewing machine and stayed up at night watching YouTube videos. I was obsessed with learning. Within 6 months I had designed my first dress. The arm hole depth was off and the seam was crooked, but I had done it. I threw it on and ran downstairs to show my husband and my little Evelyn and she said, “Mommy, where’s mine?” That’s how I knew I wanted to create something magical for mothers and daughters to wear together.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
I am constantly polling my audience online and asking them for their feedback. Connecting with my customers is something I love about being a small business. I also do local markets and shows and I talk directly to my customers and what they would love to see. I am mom myself, with two young kids, so I feel that I can really connect with my target market. I also only use real mothers and inspiring women in my community as models on my website and advertising. Most of the women and girls you see in my photos are either my myself and my daughter, or teachers and nurses with their children. I think it is so important to highlight real women and role mothers.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I started my company, I planned on selling to local moms who wanted something special to wear with their daughters for photos, weddings, or family events. I never imagined that the business would pivot to include wholesale partners. I was approached by local boutiques asking if they could carry my line and if I would send them a wholesale line sheet. I didn’t even know what a line sheet was but I was super excited for the opportunity. I started in a couple boutiques in the Scottsdale, AZ area and word spread quickly. My dresses are now being carried in boutiques around the world including the US, Canada, Italy, France, and the UK
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hickoryhillscompany.com
- Instagram: @hickoryhillscompany
- Facebook: @hickoryhillscompany