We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wendy Ozburn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wendy below.
Wendy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Honestly, I shouldn’t be here…alive, that is. I was lured away from my home when I was a child, hemorrhaged after childbirth and have walked away from multiple car accidents – not to mention experiencing much trauma and sadness.
My mission is my “why”: To continue to live with gratitude and purpose – building a brand centered on functional art and the importance of individual uniqueness.
To have an attitude of gratitude has carried me far, and to express my individuality is important, because comparison kills creativity. I believe this to be true so much that I’ve made it a mantra within my business branding, “Be your own Jones.”™.
I have so much to be thankful for, because I still have the breath in my lungs to do amazing and exciting things – I choose not to be a victim but rather a victor and that ALL things are possible through the One who gives me strength.
How blessed am I to live in a country where there is peace and liberty to afford the many opportunities to thrive!?!?
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
Hi, I’m Wendy Jeanne Ozburn, and I’ve ALWAYS been a Creative. There have been seasons and decades in my life when I wasn’t consciously aware or have doubted my gifts and talents as an artist. To “craft” is one thing, but to build a company based on being a “professional” artist is on another level. As a Creative, I get bored, and I’ve explored just about every art medium out there. I never took my skills seriously until I had to. The thing is, more often than not, people look at and want other people’s gifts, and they don’t see the beauty or purpose of their own. In 2010, I was going through financial distress, and in order to survive, I had to look at the “intangible” things I was blessed with: health, freedom, experience, and a plethora of talent! After receiving a pendant that was made with a stained-glass type of application, I dropped it down to my waist and was inspired to create a 3-piece belt buckle. I started developing my business, Blue Ribbon Buckle Co., in 2011 and gained valuable knowledge while serving in the USAF from 2012 – 2021. I had two buckle prototypes prior to any military training, and these were hand-crafted and made very primitively. After graduating from the AF Metallurgy Tech School in 2013, the Buckle Locket is what’s in commerce today, and it’s a reflection of the Air Force standards: attention to detail and true to tolerance. From an idea to create an innovative accessory in 2011 to where my business is today in 2023, I have done the R&D until I can no longer hold my eyes open, as I continue to fuel myself with passion, determination, and numerous cups coffee to network, communicate, build brand awareness and loyalty, volunteer/mentor, measure, design, create, write, import/export, etc. – whatever it takes to build a business from absolutely nothing but a vision, I’ve done it. Today, BRBCo. has scaled to offering not only the Buckle Locket and its exclusive magnetically interchangeable Holsters, but an array of other offerings such as customization, wholesale accounts, consulting, the Hem Huggers, cuffs, necklaces, earrings, wide-brim hats, ball caps, beanies, and various other accessory and apparel pieces. Since I don’t have “deep pockets”, I have self-taught myself on just about every area of my company including the ability to write my own patents…something I am very proud of. All of my product offerings are very unique and special just as so as the story in and behind the brand. Blue Ribbon Buckle Co. was developed from a place of hope…that someday I would change what was once written, “Mom, you tried your best.”, My best? You haven’t even seen my best!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
February 2010, my divorce was finalized. Prior to getting married, I had been a single mother for the majority of my life to two daughters, and I was used to getting by on my own and on very little; this time was different and getting back up on my feet was difficult and unsuccessful. I couldn’t financially support myself or my family. I had to think quickly to find a way to recover. I prayed. I prayed a lot. Through a Devine appointment, I received a gift from a newfound friend that inspired me to develop an innovative accessory – a 3-piece belt buckle. After filing a provisional patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office, I took my belt buckle drawings to a metal foundry in Los Angles. With my first buckle model, I established Blue Ribbon Buckle Co. on 01 March 2011. I had exhausted my savings and retirement to live and to fund the foundation of my business. With no money, no degree, no assets, an eviction, and bad credit, I continued to have faith – faith moves mountains. I was still going through the aftermath of a divorce, and I hit rock-bottom being stripped of everything I loved. December 2011, I was laid off from my 10-year employment of working for the state of California. I moved back to my hometown and filed for unemployment. I will always be my daughter’s #1 example – one of fortitude and resiliency. I used the gifts, talents, experience and my able mind and body to exercise my free will to meet opportunity…to survive. Four months short of my 40th birthday, on 08 September 2012, I was sworn into the United States Air Force. I joined the 152nd Airlift Wing, Reno, NV., Metals Technology Unit specifically to be trained as a welder and as a machinist. By learning this trade, Uncle Sam abled me to develop better quality accessories and products for my company. I later changed military career fields, and in 2015 graduated from my second USAF tech school of Traffic Management. I reported to the 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno, CA., where I held a full-time position in the Logistics Readiness Squadron as a Transportation Specialist. As a veteran and entrepreneur, I have been pursuing The American Dream since 2011 selling items such as the Buckle Locket (made with Corning® Gorilla® Glass) and my newest accessory, the Hem Huggers. My military experience wasn’t all about service to Country, because it turn, it has served my family and me 10-fold; I am a better mother, business woman, friend, and citizen because I was afforded the opportunity to be a part of something bigger, bolder, and brighter than myself. As one of my company’s mantra quotes: “Showing up is the first opportunity to meet the second.”™ Take risks and conquer your fears, because you’ll never know what you’re capable of or how taking action is important to how your story is to be written – your purpose…your dash.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
My best advice to manufacturing your own products is to do your Research and Development or hire a consultant that specializes in product-specific manufacturing. I learned the hard way – loosing money, time, my cool, and some sanity. I had a great idea to create a 3-piece belt buckle but had no formal education or experience to bring it to fruition. I used Google as my “consultant”…leading me to a metal foundry in Los Angeles. This foundry offered a casting process called, centrifugal. After working with two centrifugal casters, this process proved to be incapable in keeping true to product measurement tolerances. Years of trial and error went into the Buckle Locket. While on a weekend while serving in a military exercise mission, I contacted some established belt buckle companies and humbly asked for help. This was not as easy as it may seem, because out of the three companies I contacted, only one freely offered any assistance. Unfortunately, not everyone wants you to win, or they want you to pay for what they know. This very kind entrepreneur suggested that I take register for an event called, Sourcing at Magic in Las Vegas, NV. Since my experience with state-side manufacturers didn’t prove to be the best, I flew to Las Vegas and opted for overseas manufacturing. This event is where I met my first mass-production manufacturer, however when COVID was an epidemic, my manufacturer in China went out of business. I had all my production molds/dies sent back to me, and I am now currently working with a new manufacturer I located via the web-based company, Alibaba. I’ve learned a lot about sourcing that includes importing/exporting, tariff/commodity codes, Harmonized System Codes, shipping/freight fees, etc. and a lot of international email traffic! Before I collaborate with any manufacturer or supplier/vendor, I always state my #1 requirement – communication…first and foremost. Through all of the ups and downs…rights and wrongs, you have to be able to adapt, pivot, and overcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blueribbonbuckleco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instatram.com/blueribbonbuckleco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonbuckleco
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blueribbonbuckleco