Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Campbell.
Sara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I learned to sew when I was four years old, and before long was very busy making my doll clothes. As I grew up, I put ALL my babysitting money toward fabric and would make all my own dresses. I always had an affinity for wearing dresses. I think they just always made me feel special. In high school I started a little at home business teaching summer sewing lessons, and when I headed off to college, I did not want to narrow my options to fashion, so instead pursued a liberal arts degree in DESIGN at UC DAVIS. where I got very deeply into ONE OF A KIND CLOTHING. After graduating, I pursued a Masters of Art Education in Boston at Lesley College, where I was fortunate to study with the infamous artist and educator, Corita Kent. Corita loved textiles and fashion, especially after leaving the convent life. We had great fun sharing this passion together. She especially loved ethnic textiles, and I loved the costume end. When I later pursued a Masters in Fine Arts, we decided that she would do a private tutorial with me, concentrating on textiles and design. Those days were intense learning days, as she would challenge my creative juices in very disciplined ways. I began selling One of a Kind Clothing, called HOMEWORK thru art galleries and a mail order catalogue that we created together, called SISTERS< A GALLERY WITHOUT WALLS, in 1982.
By 1985 I started a wholesale small line of clothing, that I would sell to specialty stores. In 1986 I got my first large order, which was from a specialty chain of boutiques called TALBOTS. This was the beginning of my large-scale production and the beginning of my doing Private Label for many companies and catalogue houses. I continued to also sell the brand, SARA CAMPBELL thru specialty reps to boutiques primarily on the East Side of the United States, from North to South. By 2008 we grew to 20 million dollars and we shipped our last order to Talbots. It was time to REINVENT, for many reasons, not to mention the state of the economy.
We decidedly moved towards the challenge of trying direct to consumer, and began testing “Pop-UP” shops, the first being in 2009 In Wellesley Massachusetts. Success encouraged us to continue in this direction and today we have 22 bricks and mortar locations.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth Road? NOPE…My brother in law, controller embezzled 2.5 million dollars between 1994 and 1999. It took me two years to get an indictment, two years to get trial, two years for a sentence. He was put in jail for 3.5 years, after all our personal wealth had been day traded. The next obstacle was the 2008 financial crisis and getting into a bad deal with an investor who sued me for funds put in, hence we sold our back yard and my first house! Lastly, I never wrote a business plan that navigated through a pandemic. We have reduced every expense possible and are treading very carefully.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sara Campbell LTD – what should we know?
I have always loved making dresses….and I have ALWAYS loved my customer. I am most proud of all the jobs we have created over the years, good and bad years, but we have fed a lot of families. As important to me personally is the desire to give back. I firmly believe that it is our responsibility to serve. We are here to serve our customers, each other, and ourselves.
We are constantly working with organizations that are more grass roots to support, that are primarily focused on women and children’s’ needs. I am also very proud of the creative art room that we donated for really sick kids at ST.JUDES RESEARCH HOSPITAL. In the middle of the $250,000. financial commitment that I had made, I discovered the embezzlement. However, we did finish the pledge eventually.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
LESSONS LEARNED
EVERY day is a learning day. I recently learned how to do Instagram!! silly right? We only opened an e commerce this Spring during the pandemic. And an entire new way of thinking opened up! I have learned so much thru my darkest times. But for me, one cannot take anything for granted. I have learned that at the end of the day, if my children and husband are healthy, and I have done something nice for someone or even possibly made a difference in their lives today, then I have had a good day! The most profound lesson however is to NEVER NEVER GIVE UP….because IF I really want to do this, I will succeed thru and over every obstacle. Let’s see where I land in 2022! This year is quite the ride., but I have never dreaded coming to work for even one day in my entire life. Now that is a gift!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2339 Peachtree Rd Suite 17, Atlanta, GA 30326
- Website: https://www.saracampbell.com
- Phone: 610.329.6186
- Email: info@saracampbell.com
- Instagram: @saracampbellltd
- Facebook: @saracampbellltd
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