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

Margaret, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I started my business in 2008, my last year at Art school. I think I started it the best possible time I could have.

The investment to start my business financially was low risk.
I got most of my materials to create the clothing from local thrift stores and estate sales.
I used my grandmothers hand me down sewing machine and my dining room as a work space.
I was my own model, I ran all aspects of my business so there was little overhead.

Using what I had around me really gave me a head start.

I was young enough so I wasn’t afraid of failure and I didn’t have anything to lose besides my time and energy if it did not work out.
I got in there a good 5-7 years before upcycling clothing really blew up as a trend so by that time I already had a following and strong reputation in the field.

I am so very thankful I felt confident enough and fearless enough to take a chance on my creativity and trust my gut.
Im glad I ignored all the noise around me telling me it would never work out.

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

Mountain Girl Clothing was created in 2008 by using my grandmother’s hand-me-down sewing machine, a little inspiration and pile of thrifted clothing. My friends at art school would call me “Mountain Girl” as I was the only one in the group who was not from a big city, so my business name was born.

I have never done well working for someone else or working by someone else’s schedule so the only answer to happiness in the workforce for me was to become my own boss.
I just knew I wanted to continue upcycling and slow fashion as my full-time job.
I find so much joy repurposing materials to create new garments for others to enjoy.

We have grown so much throughout the past 16 years. I now have three amazing employees and a beautiful mill space studio in my hometown.
The past few years we’ve been able to work with other small brands and like minded businesses to grow our inventory and have even more unique pieces to offer our customers.

My heart is always at the core of Mountain Girl.
My creativity and passion is behind everything people see when they visit our website or our pop up shops.
I am so thankful I am able to wake up and do this every day!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There have been many times since starting my business that I have been tested. One of most recent times had to do with one word: Cancer.

Being diagnosed with and told I had cancer was earth shaking, life changing and sent me into a mental tailspin.
I was terrified for my family. my husband and young daughter.
I was scared it would greatly impact my business and that I wouldn’t be able to keep up during all the tests, surgeries and treatments.

I had a few weeks of panic mode but instead of letting it take over my life I decided I was going to stay in control and just take things day by day.
I had to accept that it was okay for me to slow down and take care my health and trust that my business would come out on top.

I am now 1 1/2 years cancer free.
No one wants to go through that experience but I am a stronger woman and business owner because of it.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I started out selling on Etsy exclusively in 2008. It was a great starting point for me and they really helped me build my brand by making the process of starting out in ecommerce so user friendly.

As time went on and my business grew I realized I did not want to have all my eggs in one basket….

That is when I branched out and experimented with my own website/alternative ecommerce sites.
I still maintain a small selection and shop on Etsy but the majority of my business is done through the Shopify platform.
There is so much more freedom when you don’t have your business on a specific online marketplace.
You make the rules.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mountaingirlclothing.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mountaingirlclothing
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mountaingirlclothing

Image Credits
Branding Photos by Seana Williamson Studios https://www.seana-williamson.com/