Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Boynton, co-founder of Hand Me Up, located in San Antonio, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We curate capsule clothes for kids from preloved clothes. We work together to keep kids' closets full while reducing textile waste through upcycling, recycling, and community-charitable donations. Our customers are busy moms with piles of outgrown kids' clothes who want to send them somewhere with purpose. We promise to treat every item of clothing we receive as our own and intentionally use each item.

Tell us about yourself

From high school friends going through each other's closets for outfits to wear to the next party to mom life friends going through their kids' closets to keep their growing kids clothed. We've been friends through many ages and stages of life, navigating high school, college, married life, and now motherhood.

We started blogging, podcasting, and making planners as the duo Simply Whole Moms. We talked to a lot of mothers, and one thing we discovered is the power of moms to change the world completely. Somewhere along the journey, this idea hit us, and we knew we could make an impact. Our goal is to help stop fast fashion and overconsumption of textiles and help manage textile waste, all while making it easy for moms to clean out their kids' closets and stock up on new-to-them items.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Getting this dream launched and up and running! We built the website ourselves and overcame many obstacles to get the business up and running, all while managing our own children and families.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

As stay-at-home moms, the biggest issue for us has been dedicated time to grow the business. We have a commitment to always be at pick up in the carpool line or at school events, so juggling a new start-up and mom life has been one of the hardest challenges.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. JUST START! We waited around for a perfect scenario, and we finally realized there would never be the perfect time to start.
  2. Be willing to pivot... we've had some interesting things pop up we weren't expecting when we launched - moms wanting larger sizes than we offer. So, we're open to expanding and pivoting when we feel like we have capacity.
  3. Have fun! It's easy to get lost in the weeds, but remember to have fun and remember why you started your business is so important.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Not only do we have curated capsule bags of clothes for kids, but we also have a fun line of upcycled dolls and accessories made by local seamstresses from kids' clothes that have reached their end of life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://handmeupshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shophandmeup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handmeup_shop/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.