Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Budd, Owner of Alpacas Of Montana, Inc., located in Bozeman, MT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Alpacas of Montana leads the textile industry in their commitment to comfort and warmth through the purposeful design of environmentally conscious alpaca products. Over the past 18 years, we have created over 400 new alpaca products - from socks and hats to jackets, blankets, and vests. No other apparel company in the U.S. is vertically integrated (raises its own alpacas), designs all its own products, oversees manufacturing and production, and then sells direct to consumers (no wholesale) strictly online. Our customers are usually more cold weather prone, yet California is the #1 state we ship to. 52% women, 48% men, outdoors/active, 35-60 years old.
Tell us about yourself
Eighteen years ago, James and I were newlyweds looking for a riveting adventure to kick off our lives together. James has an extensive medical background and is also exceptionally creative and innovative. My background is in psychology, manufacturing, and real estate. We wanted to create something for ourselves with a few guidelines: Be in Montana, make enough to pay our bills, and really love what we do. We researched restaurants, retail, ice cream shops, service industries, and more. Then, one day James was flipping through a Costco Connection Magazine and came across a couple who had retired and started raising alpacas and, after 10 years, still loved it. James enthusiastically came to me with the article, and I said, "What's an alpaca? No!" Shot down and thinking nothing more of it, James went back to his computer. When he opened his browser page, an article regarding the financial benefits of raising alpacas emerged from The Wall Street Journal as a suggested read. We are both passionate about animals, so he came back to me with the article. I looked at him and essentially said that he went to medical school for 10 years, and I do not want to work outside for all hours of a winter day in Montana.
Later that day, James went to check the mailbox only to find a flyer from his sister with a note reading, "Wouldn't this be fun?" The flyer detailed how to start an alpaca business – something James and his sister had never discussed. After never hearing the word alpaca prior to this day, only to be bombarded with alpacas during them, we agreed that we better at least look into the idea. We made phone calls, visited farms, and researched what starting any kind of alpaca business would look like for us. We quickly became more and more excited, and six months later had 8 alpacas on their farm. Soon the number of mouths to feed went from 8 to 120 – not including the dogs, llamas, cats, and chickens that also found their homes in the Alpacas of Montana.
As the curious dreamers we are, James quickly realized a missing key niche: alpaca wool clothing. Once we understood what was at their fingertips, we went all in. We are now pioneers in the alpaca fabric industry. Every single product sold by Alpacas of Montana was the brainchild of our work and research. James created every yarn and fabric used in our products from scratch.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Pivoting and changing. From selling alpacas to creating our own products (socks and yarn) to opening stores, generating an online presence to one of the largest alpaca companies in the nation. When I was 23 and wrote our business plan to "just selling alpacas," I did not imagine we would be making long underwear, parkas, and alpaca joggers.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Be constantly on - and stepping back for a couple of hours - let alone a couple of days - to just let things be for a bit. I love my work - new products, finances, marketing, and shipping. I am involved in many aspects, even though we have great team members who lead these departments.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do your research - ask lots of questions about why they do (or don't do something) in a certain way. Others in the business love to talk about their business.
- Know that you will have to change some parts along the way - your marketing strategy, your product(s), and your approach to people.
- Get ready for others to not be as passionate about your company as you are. I make socks - which is a long way from my plans with a Psychology degree. But "making socks" means I am my own boss, I create things, and I go to conventions/travel - all things that I really love to do.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://alpacasofmontana.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpacasofmt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpacasofmontana/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alpacasofmt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpacas-of-montana-inc/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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