Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanessa Whitby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Vanessa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Vanessa here, and I want to share the real story behind Wild + Rae. Our brand isn’t just about clothes or cowgirl boots; it’s about creating meaningful moments and fostering confidence in every little girl who wears our designs. This journey has been one of love, dedication, and a lot of hard work.

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

Wild + Rae was born out of a deep love for my daughter, Harlow Rae. As a single mom, I wanted to create something special for her and for all the little dreamers out there. It all started with my mom, who hand-sewed every single item we sold! From those humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a brand that now includes the first cute + comfortable cowgirl boots, fun and playful dresses, and soon, a book. Harlow is still my muse and partner in design. Every stitch and every design is a labor of love from both of us. She inspires me daily with her creativity and joy, and together, we create pieces that we hope will bring a smile to your little one’s face.

We are dedicated to making little girls feel confident and happy in what they wear. Our designs are meant to make your little ones feel like they can conquer the world, one magical outfit at a time. Whether it’s the perfect pair of boots for a day of adventure or a dress that makes her feel special, we want her to shine with confidence.

One of the most beautiful parts of this journey is the community we’ve built together. Your support, feedback, and love are what keep Wild + Rae alive. We adore seeing your little ones in our creations, making memories, and embracing their unique style. It’s all about fostering imagination, confidence, and joy – values that are at the heart of everything we do.

Every piece from Wild + Rae carries a piece of our story, our dreams, and our hard work.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I use Instagram and have built an amazing community within Wild and Rae. I’ve met so many wonderful people through my IG community, and many have turned into friends. Some have been following us from the beginning, supporting us by sharing, telling their friends, or making purchases. There are so many meaningful ways to support a small business beyond making purchases, such as sharing a post or telling a friend.

I also ask my community what new designs they want to see and allow them to be a part of the design journey. This sense of community and genuine connection, along with involving them in the creative process, is what fosters brand loyalty and keeps us close to our clients.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

We use Shopify, which has been simple and easy to use. I find it very user-friendly. Of course, I have a list of a million things I need to edit or update, but I also think it is better to just get going and perfect things later. Shopify allows us to manage our store efficiently and gives us the flexibility to customize our site to fit our brand. While it may not have the immediate marketplace reach of platforms like Amazon or Etsy, it offers us complete control over our customer experience and brand presentation, which is invaluable for maintaining our unique identity and fostering a strong connection with our community.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits

teresa ann photo

teresaroquetphotography.com/inquire-below