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

Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

When I was 9 years old my mother asked me if I wanted to participate in the local 4-H fashion review. A competition in which the contestants make a garment from scratch and then are judged based on the quality of their work. You make your garment, submit it for judging, model it in front of the judges, then model it for fun for the public at a “fashion show” where the winner is announced. At first, not really knowing the details other than getting the opportunity to hang out with girls my age and make something pretty I said yes of course! When it was revealed I, an introvert with horrible stage fright, would have to step on stage and model the pieces I made I wanted to call it quits right then and there but my mother simply would not take no for an answer and insisted I see it through. I won first place with the skirt and blouse I made and almost a decade later the “You’ll thank me when you’re older.” She had given me as answer to my many complaints at the time could not ring more true. Had my mother allowed me to shy away instead of encouraging me and patiently teaching me all the tips and tricks she had learned from her own mother I would not be where I am today. I am a third generation seamstress and I get to live out my dreams of owning my own business, working from home, designing, sewing, and selling my creations because of her.

Rachel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Rachel Burch, I am 28 years old, married to my childhood sweetheart who is the love of my life and I am the owner of Where The Wild Burch Are. But let’s start at the beginning. I grew up homeschooled and as such enjoyed the flexibility to learn things like horseback riding and archery among other things, the most important of which quite possibly being the skill of sewing. I was taught to sew at 9 years old by my mother who is a second generation seamstress. She guided me in making my first skirt and blouse and from there I fell hopelessly head over heels in love with the craft. Hot gluing and safety pinning clothes for my dolls when I was younger was fun, but learning the skills to be able to make myself gowns from scratch was an entirely new ball game and quite the addiction for fine fabrics and elaborate pattern designs was born. I got my first professional seamstress gig at 17 working for a local alterations shop and by the time I was 18 I began experimenting with costuming and leather working and discovered my love for fantasy could be carried into my love for design and creation and my dream of owning my own bespoke fantasy clothing shop was born. I grew up an avid reader of fantastical stories. Mermaids, Goddesses, fairies, dragons, knights in shining armor, and all manner of dazzling damsels and beautiful beasts filled my imagination. To this day I am still the same avid reader of all things magical and adventurous except now when I read I get to count it as research for my next design. From the ages of 18 to 25 I worked full time as an alterations seamstress doing anything from simple alterations like hemming pants, to complex home decor, to formal gown alterations and construction, all while practicing and honing my costuming and leather working skills. At 25, with the support and encouragement of my family and husband I finally worked up the courage and with a handful of my own designs I opened my shop called Where The Wild Burch Are on Etsy. Going on 3 years later I am in disbelief of the success I’ve experienced and find myself in awe everyday of the life I get to lead. I make bespoke fantasy clothing and accessories for anyone and everyone because I believe everyone who is anyone should get to experience the confidence a perfectly fitted corset or a dress that flows just right brings. My creations are designed to enhance the natural beauty of the feminine form and bring out the sword wielding, dragon riding, villain slaying, jaw dropping perfection in us all. When my client puts on their piece from me and it makes them feel like they can take on the world, I know I’ve done my job right and it makes every hour after hour of work, every pin prick, every grommet pressed, and every thread clipped more than worth it.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Social media, social media, social media! I don’t think I can say that enough. With so many people being online nowadays and running a business online being active on social media is the best way I’ve found to connect to my target audience and grow my clientele.

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

Because I started from the ground up with zero fan base I decided to launch my brand using Etsy. They’re a well established and trusted website that does a good job of bringing potential clients to you and thus helping build your clientele which is a great pro for starting your business. However, the end goal is to have my own independent website and as my clientele grows that goal gets closer and closer. A con of Etsy is although they started out as an excellent source for handmade, one of a kind products, over the years the “handmade” badge they used to wear so proudly has slipped and more and more drop shippers with mass produced products have moved in, making it a bit of a nightmare for potential clients to shift through till hopefully they eventually find your shop. Not a con but something to take into consideration are the fees. As with everything nowadays Etsy’s fees have continued to go up yearly. Currently fees come out to about 10% but as long as you take that into account when pricing your pieces it’s not the biggest con. The biggest con for selling on Etsy is their seller support which is beyond severely lacking. I personally have had very little issue over the years so I haven’t needed support but there are so many stories of Etsy leaving shop owners high and dry, it’s definitely a little worrisome and all the more reason to only use their site as more of a stepping stone for my growing business. Overall, I would say Etsy is a great option for shops starting from the bottom, wanting to build their brand before venturing out on your own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhereTheWildBurchAre
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_wild_burch?igsh=bGJnZjZ2NjlvaGE0&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Robert Webb