Today we’d like to introduce you to Shena Simmons.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shena. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started Stewart Simmons when I was on maternity leave with my second child. Up until that point, I had spent my career in finance. While I was at home on leave, I spent a lot of time thinking about my career and what I wanted in the future. While I certainly had a lot to be proud of, I really wanted to start something of my own. As a fan and graduate of Florida State University, I’ve always loved the traditions surrounding college football but felt there weren’t enough quality game day options for women. In 2016, after doing extensive research on the market, I decided to leave my career and create designs that help women celebrate the communities that they love. I started with a handful of dresses that were sold exclusively online. In 2017, we expanded the line and started offering products to retailers. Stewart Simmons is now sold in over 130 retail locations throughout the southeast.
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?
Entrepreneurship is full of peaks and valleys and we’ve had our fair share of both. I’ve made sure to celebrate every accomplishment and am extremely thankful for the struggles as they’ve made us a much stronger brand. When I first launched Stewart Simmons, we were only creating dresses. The initial launch and that entire season was much less successful than I had hoped. But we revamped and came back much stronger in 2017. We spent months studying market trends, completely changed product offerings, opened the line to retailers, and created the brand that you see today. I also struggled considerably at finding a good manufacturing partner. The first year we launched, we went through three different factories. Each was a complete failure and left me wondering if I should continue at all. But after a lot of perseverance (and frankly, a little luck), I finally found a fantastic partner that could make the quality of product that I was proud to have our name on.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Stewart Simmons – what should we know?
Stewart Simmons creates game day apparel for women and children. We strive to inspire joy, community, and celebration through meaningful designs. Our goal is to create quality products that help all women celebrate the team and community that they love. Each fall, we create a new and diverse collection with the style conscious fan in mind. Whether you’re a college freshman looking for something to wear to your first game or an alum wanting to wear your team colors to work, our collection has you covered.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My vision and tenacity to see it through. Since I started Stewart Simmons, I envisioned a brand that had a positive impact on all who came in contact with it – a company that customers were proud to support and a culture where team members were valued. When the work week seems unending or when facing tough decisions, I always go back to this vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: stewartsimmons.com
- Instagram: stewart_simmons
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