Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com

Doer of the Week: Missy Severson

When did you start your business?
Sweet Funky Vintage began selling custom children’s clothing online and through home trunk shows in October of 2007.

What were you doing (careerwise) when you decided to create your own business?
I had been teaching high school family and consumer sciences when I had my first child. I decided to stay home with my daughter and, as a military spouse, soon relocated to a new city. I made clothing for my daughter, and then began making and selling my children’s clothing on eBay on a very small scale. Soon after, I partnered with a friend, Liz Snowden, and Sweet Funky Vintage custom children’s clothing was born!

What inspired you to do this?
My business partner, Liz, and I had both, individually, been designing and selling children’s clothing on eBay and we had a common vision for a children’s clothing company with a social conscience. As the mothers of daughters, we wanted to create a legacy for our girls, to show them that a business can be created of a dream and a lot of hard work.

When did you know that you could really make a go of this?
I believed in our business from the beginning. I believed we could meet the need for beautiful, functional children’s clothing while at the same time creating a business with a social mission that we believe is very important.

How did you turn your idea/dream into a business plan?
We sat down on the floor one summer night with a glass of wine and several legal pads and lots and lots of fabric. We scribbled and sketched and draped fabric around and saw our business plan take shape!

How long did it take you to get everything off the ground?
It was only a few months from that summer night of planning until our first trunk show.

What was your start-up cost? How did you get the money, and what did you use it for?
Sweet Funky Vintage was literally the poster child for a shoestring budget. We invested our own fabric and supplies in the beginning and each contributed a little seed money. As we grew, our growth required a business line of credit.

How long did it take for your business to become profitable?
Approximately three years.

What was the biggest obstacle?
The biggest obstacle for me is probably the same that most “mom-preneurs” face: balancing work and family. As anyone who starts a business knows, there are no nine-to-five workdays. The same can be said for parenting. Multitasking is important, but you have to be careful to be 100 percent present when you are working, and definitely when you are with your family!

Did your friends and family support your dream?
Absolutely! My children are our biggest fans! It isn’t unusual for my 7-year-old daughter to ask me for a business card that she can give out!

How did you maintain your confidence when doors were closed in your face, when people didn’t get it or said “no”?
Chocolate. Lots of chocolate!

What's the hardest part of what you do?
I am a firm believer in the quote “Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.” Starting Sweet Funky Vintage has been hard work, but is has been a lot of fun, and worth every minute!

What's the most fun part of what you do?
The designing is tons of fun -- and the happy customers!

Where do you work from?
I have slowly been taking over my home. I have a studio and my garage has recently become our workroom and warehouse.

Do you have employees?
We have approximately 10 people working with us now.

How have you been using social media to grow your business?
We tweet and post on our business page on Facebook, and we blog regularly. We have been reaching out to mom bloggers through reviews and giveaways for a couple of years now.

If you had it to do over again, what, if anything, would you do differently?
If I had to dissect past experiences, I could probably say that I would do a few things differently. But I also believe that you have to work through experiences, good and bad, to learn from them! I try to remind myself “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” which to me means that I need to remember my niche and not stray too far off on a whim -- that gets distracting and expensive!

Do you have entrepreneurial role models? What’s so inspiring about them?
I read the Martha Stewart book “Martha’s Rules” a couple of years ago. I found it to contain some very straightforward advice. I heard Tamara Monosoff, founder of Mom Inventors, Inc., speak at a conference a couple of years ago, and she was very motivating. Jo Packam’s “Where Women Create” book and magazines really speak to my creative soul.

How did you learn and acquire the skills you use to make your business successful? How do you continue to grow and learn?
I went to Florida State University and graduated with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, and also in Apparel Design and Technology. My apparel design degree provided me with the technical training in clothing construction and pattern making. My family taught me to work hard and never to stop trying to learn new things.

What's the best piece of business advice you ever received?
“Find something you love and you will never work a day in your life!”

What advice would you give to Dreamers who haven’t become Doers yet?
Keep dreaming. It might not be the right dream or the right time. But keep the faith and you will find your success!

See all Doers of the Week

Keep Up with Missy & Sweet Funky Vintage
Twitter
Facebook
SweetFunkyVintage.com

‹ Previous
1
2
Next ›

Comment

You need to be a member of Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com to add comments!

Join Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com

Comment by A To Zebra Celebrations on September 28, 2010 at 2:18am: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You are so creative and talented!!!

Comment by Mary, The Savvy Host on September 26, 2010 at 5:11pm: Congratulations! fantastic ideas - and beautifully executed! so glad to learn about you through Dreamers into Doers!! Best wishes!

Comment by Julie {elliven} on September 24, 2010 at 9:50pm: congrats! lovely designs!

Comment by Linnette ~ Illustrator & Crafter on September 24, 2010 at 1:29pm: Congratulations Missy! Super lovely collection. Thank you for inspiring us to dream!

Comment by Debbie Glymph-Bennett on September 24, 2010 at 1:23pm: Congrats, Missy! Love your designs and the fabrics you work with! (I just wish I had the patience to sew!!! :)
BTW.... I also enjoyed and appreciated the advice in Martha's book "Martha Rules" ... and just finished Tamara Monosoff's "Your Million Dollar Dream." Perhaps we should all start a "D Into D's" Book Club and have a monthly chat on Twitter!!! I love business books with a "D Into D's" perspective!

Comment by Debra Walters on September 23, 2010 at 3:21pm: Congratulations! What an encouraging story. I love that your daughter gives out your business cards. That's precious!

Comment by Misbah Tariq on September 23, 2010 at 1:05pm: congratulations! I really love your designs

Comment by Erica Roberts on September 23, 2010 at 12:24pm: Congratulations! Will definitely be checking out your website :-)

Comment by Amy Locurto on September 23, 2010 at 11:43am: I'm drooling over your clothes!! Now I must have some for my little girl:-) Congrats on your big feature. I love reading about moms who pursed their passions.

Comment by Kim M. Byers on September 23, 2010 at 5:27am: Absolutely beautiful collection and darling models! Congrats!

Comment by Janice Nohner on September 22, 2010 at 11:42pm: Thanks for passing along your best piece of business advice, “Find something you love and you will never work a day in your life!”. I love it and it's so true. I wish I could make my cookies into a business instead of a side line. I commend you on your accomplishments. The dresses in your photo are are so cute and fun. Congratulations, and may your business continue to grow.

Comment by Jennifer@Passion-for-Parties.com on September 22, 2010 at 5:31pm: Congratulations on being featured, Missy! You're very inspiring! :)

Comment by Cherrl-Lou Jacobson on September 22, 2010 at 3:35pm: You've accomplished so much! Congratulations and thank you also for giving us such helpful advice.

Comment by Jennifer Johnson on September 22, 2010 at 3:32pm: Congrats!

Comment by Gaynor Marshall on September 22, 2010 at 2:43pm: Congratulations Missy!

How refreshing to see little girls actually dressed like little girls instead of mini adults. I have two sons, who are now 17 and 20, but when they were small I took pleasure in dressing them like children. I can't bear this need to force children to grow up too soon - that happens naturally. Good luck with your business. :)

Comment by Meilie Moy-Hodnett on September 22, 2010 at 2:12pm: What a great idea and wonderful product line you have! I can see you'll do well with all the creativity you have.

Comment by Missy Severson on September 22, 2010 at 2:08pm: Thank you all for such nice comments and congratulations. I feel very fortunate to be in such good company here on the Dreamers into Doers website!
Missy