We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kym Schnittker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kym below.

Hi Kym, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Out West Chic Boutique was born at a really meaningful transition point in my life—just as my oldest child was heading off to college. At that time, I still had three kids at home, ages 17, 15, and 5, so while I wasn’t done raising children, I could feel that season beginning to shift.

Looking back, my biggest regret isn’t anything operational or financial—it’s that I didn’t start sooner.

I often think about what it would have looked like to build this business when my kids were younger. Not because I had more time (because let’s be honest, those years are full too), but because it could have been something we grew together. They could have been part of the process—learning, helping, and seeing firsthand what it looks like to create something from the ground up.

Instead, it became more of “mom’s project” as they were getting older and stepping into their own lives.

That said, I also believe timing matters. This business came at a moment when I was ready to step into something new, and in many ways, it’s been a gift in this season of life.

If anything, that reflection has shaped how I show up now—not just as a business owner, but as a mom. I’m more intentional about sharing what I’m building, inviting my kids into it when I can, and showing them that it’s never too late to start something meaningful.

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

Out West Chic Boutique was born out of a desire to help women feel confident, comfortable, and truly themselves in what they wear—especially in a season of life where many of us are juggling a lot and often putting ourselves last.

I’m a wife, a mom of four, and I also work in the nonprofit space supporting foster families, so my life is full in the best way—but also very real. I didn’t start my boutique as a lifelong fashion insider. I started it as a woman living a busy life. I understood firsthand how hard it can be to get dressed and feel good in your own skin in the middle of a busy, ever-changing life.

As I entered my 50s, I realized there was a gap in the market. So many brands either cater to much younger women or feel outdated and uninspiring. Also, so many women my age, like me, were buying clothes at big box stores along with milk and bread, I wanted to give us a fun space to easily shop outfits rather than pieces picked up between meetings or errands. I wanted to create something in between—pieces that feel elevated but still easy, stylish but still comfortable, and most importantly, wearable for real life.

That’s what Out West Chic is all about.

I offer a curated collection of clothing, denim, and lifestyle pieces designed for women who want to look put together without overthinking it. My customers are women who are going to work, running errands, traveling, showing up for their families, or heading out to dinner—and they want outfits that work for all of it.

The problem I help solve is simple, but it matters:
👉 I make getting dressed feel easier.

Instead of standing in your closet wondering what fits, what flatters, or what even feels like “you” anymore, I aim to provide pieces that mix and match effortlessly and give women confidence right where they are today—not 10 pounds from now or in some future season.

What sets Out West Chic apart is the heart behind it. This isn’t just about selling clothes—it’s about connection. I talk to my customers, I listen to what they struggle with, and I genuinely care about helping them feel good in their everyday lives.

I also try to show up authentically. I’m not a size 2 model, and I don’t pretend to be. I show the clothes on a real woman, in a real season of life, and I think that resonates with women who just want something honest and relatable.

What I’m most proud of is building something that reflects who I am—not just as a business owner, but as a woman and a mom. Out West Chic is a reflection of the belief that it’s never too late to start something new, to grow, and to create something meaningful.

What I want people to know most is this:
You don’t have to change your body or your life to feel confident. Sometimes, the right pieces—and the right perspective—can help you show up exactly as you are, and that’s enough.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life came when my oldest child left for college.

For years, my identity had been centered around being a mom and raising my children. My life was full, busy, and meaningful—but it was also very focused on everyone else. When that season began to shift, I found myself asking a question I think many women face at some point:

“What now?”

It wasn’t a crisis, but it was definitely a moment of reevaluation.

At the same time, I still had three kids at home—ages 17, 15, and 5—so I wasn’t stepping out of motherhood, but I was stepping into a new version of it. I realized I had space to create something for myself—something that reflected who I was beyond just the roles I had always filled.

That’s when I started Out West Chic Boutique.

I didn’t have a background in fashion or retail. What I had was a desire to build something meaningful and a belief that I could help women feel more confident in their everyday lives.

That pivot required me to step outside of my comfort zone in a big way—learning new skills, putting myself out there, and building something from the ground up while still managing a full life at home and in my nonprofit work.

It hasn’t always been easy. There have been moments of doubt, slow seasons, and times when I questioned whether I was doing the right thing.

But that pivot also opened up a new sense of purpose. It reminded me that it’s never too late to start something new, and that growth often comes from stepping into the unknown.

And in many ways, that experience shaped the heart behind my business.

I understand what it feels like to wait—to put things off until life slows down, until you feel more ready, or until you feel more confident. But the truth is, those moments don’t always come the way we expect.

That’s why what I do now matters so much to me.

Through Out West Chic, I want women to feel confident in who they are today—not after they lose weight, or the kids leave home, not in a different season, but right now. Because sometimes, the right pieces—and the right mindset—can help you show up fully in your life as it is, not as you wish it might be someday.

If this journey has taught me anything, it’s that we don’t have to wait to begin—whether that’s starting something new or simply feeling good in our own skin.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me has been a combination of word of mouth, social media, and building relationships within my local community.

Many of my customers first find me through platforms like Instagram or Facebook, but what really draws them in is the sense of connection. I’m not just posting products—I’m sharing how pieces fit into real life, styling outfits, and showing up as myself. That relatability helps women feel comfortable and more willing to engage.

From there, word of mouth becomes incredibly powerful. When a customer feels confident in something she’s wearing, she talks about it. She shares it with friends, invites someone to a pop-up, or sends them to my website. That kind of organic growth has been one of the most meaningful and effective ways I’ve built my business.

I’ve also been intentional about getting involved in local women’s networking groups and community events. Those spaces have allowed me to build genuine relationships, not just promote my business. When women get to know you personally and understand the heart behind what you do, it creates a deeper level of trust—and that often turns into long-term customers and connections.

In-person events and pop-ups have played a big role as well. They give women the opportunity to see, touch, and try on pieces, but more importantly, they allow me to connect with them face-to-face. Those interactions often turn into ongoing relationships that continue beyond the event.

What I’ve found is that people are drawn to authenticity. When they feel like they know you and trust you, they’re much more likely to support your business—and to share it with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://outwestchic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outwestchic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

Image Credits

Some photos taken by Lilo Photography and Branding