Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Smith, founder of Pride Socks, located in Austin, TX, USA.

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

Pride Socks is a lifestyle brand empowering individuals to take pride in who they are so they chase and accomplish their dreams. No gesture is too small to change the world, and together we will change the world from the feet up. When you feel that sense of pride in who you are, we've all succeeded.

Tell us about yourself

Pride Socks was born 12 years ago based on a challenge my older brother threw at me. I was teaching special education at the high school level at the time. When he challenged me to start my own business, I knew at some point I would quit teaching but also wanted to start a brand that made a difference.

After connecting the dots to what made an impact on my life, Pride Socks was born. Those dots were being raised in the Deaf culture (both parents are Deaf-BEFORE technology), all 4 of my siblings shared socks growing up since we were so poor, during my sophomore year in high school, my coach gave me a card that said she was "proud of me," words I never heard before and being a teacher for 12 years.

I love being outside. I love creating magical moments for people. I love hearing people's resiliency stories. I love my family. I love reading. I love camping. I love exercising. I love knowing Pride Socks makes a difference with people.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The overall biggest accomplishment I've experienced is when I get an email, text, direct message, letter or someone directly tells me how our brand/product has changed their life for the better.

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

One of the hardest things I've faced in owning Pride Socks but yet most rewarding at times is pivoting to changes that we had NO insight on or control over. That can look like COVID, thinking we have a product in the making, but materials are no longer available, and/or cancelation of outdoor events due to weather.

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

The top 3 tips I'd give anyone looking to start a business are to have patience, a lot of it, be open to change, and know failure is really a door opening up to a new opportunity with more knowledge in what to do or not to do again. Love yourself and be proud of the courage it took even to start!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://pridesocks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrideSocks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pridesocks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pridesocks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pridesocks/

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.