Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimber Carson.
Hi Kimber, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I always knew I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and own my own business. After graduating high school in 2009, I started dabbling with the idea of starting my own brand/clothing line. It wasn’t til 2016, when I was diagnosed with a rare tumor disease, when I was taken out of work, that I decided to turn my notebook full of ideas into pursuing my dream.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
There are growing pains and stressful times when starting any business. However, focusing on enjoying the journey instead of just reaching your destination doesn’t make the speed bumps along the way so bad.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
The Creamery Cartel. A streetwear brand with designs based around ice cream. Although we sell clothing, we’re known for the community we’ve created by the unique individuals who support us. I’m most proud of the people I have been able to bring together and the friendships that have been made by the clothing I create. If you have ever been to a Creamery Cartel photoshoot, it’s guaranteed you’ve left with a few new friends. I honestly think my passion sets CC apart from others in my industry. “Passion over Profits” Many people look at clothing lines as slapping a logo on a t-shirt for a quick dollar. I take my time with each release. I create all designs, hand print each garment, and fold and package while directing every photo and video shoot. Most independent brands outsource with overseas manufacturers and need to be more connected with their craft. I’m not knocking them, but I prefer to be hands-on every step of the way when it comes to production.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
I love taking risks, no risk, no reward. I took a risk on myself when creating my first shirt batch. I didn’t know how many people would buy shirts that said “The Creamery.” I was unsure if people would see the vision. My first release was 3 different colorways and sold out the day I dropped. My risk paid off. For two years, I released shirts with those 2 words every month: “The Creamery.” I was focused on branding before anything else. For those first two years, I wondered if people were crazy for buying the same shirt several times, just in different colors, but like clockwork, every release sold out! I realized people weren’t just supporting the t-shirts; they supported me! That gave me the push I needed to start releasing actual designs. Had I never taken that initial risk, who knows what career path I’d be on now?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creamerycartel.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/thecreamerycartel
