Life & Work with Katelyn Reiver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Reiver.

Hi Katelyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and a dream of one day opening up my own boutique. After spending 4 years of job hopping, I decided it was finally time to make my dreams come true. I took a huge risk in May of 2020 and quit my job to solely focus on my shop and to force myself to make it work by not having any other income to rely on. I launched my online store in July of 2020 and never looked back.

I started out as Pink Ivy Boutique and sold boutique-style clothing, but I quickly found my passion for designing and making graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts. In October of 2020, I launched a sweatshirt called the “Smiley Kylie Crewneck” which was named after and designed by a family friend who had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

50% of the proceeds were donated to Kylie’s family to help with medical bills and Kylie is happy and healthy today! The “Smiley Kylie Crewneck” later inspired me to rebrand and completely start over which led to Smiley Pop Co. Smiley Pop Co. is a brand all about happiness and positivity. It’s hard to have a bad day when you look down and see something so bright, colorful, and positive!

I truly put so much love and passion into this brand every single day. It has become way more than a job or a brand to me, Smiley Pop Co is my livelihood and I have no idea who or where I would be today without it. Each item is designed and then carefully handmade in-house by myself. I am so thankful to be able to do what I love in the comfort of my home every day. I cannot wait to see where the future leads SPC!

Alright, 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?
There have been a lot of ups and downs along this journey, and even still to this day. There are weeks that I sell nothing and there are days that I receive 100 orders. I have had social media posts go viral and I have had social media posts that get less than 10 likes.

Being an entrepreneur who relies on online sales for the majority of their income (pop-up shops being the other source of income) can be extremely stressful. I personally rarely spend money on advertising, so I rely mainly on my daily Instagram and TikTok posts for marketing. When my social media posts don’t perform well, my sales strongly reflect that. The algorithm is always changing and it makes it very difficult to rely on.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I handmake puffy print graphic apparel – t-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies, trucker hats, and more. I am definitely known for my bright and colorful vibes, but I am very well known for my Taylor Swift collection. I am a huge Swiftie and you can catch me listening to/ talking about/ staring at Taylor 24/7. Taylor has become a huge inspiration and staple in my brand and I am so proud to be able to share my creativity with all of the other Swifties.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is exactly where I am today. I might not have as much money in my bank account as most other 30-year-olds do. I might not go to a corporate office Monday – Friday in a business suit. But, I have built this brand from the ground up all on my own.

I have created my own source of income for almost 4 years (with a few hiccups and side jobs along the way). Smiley Pop Co. is and has been a profitable business since it launched in 2020, and even with all of the hardships, I have not given up and that is my biggest success.

Pricing:

• T-Shirts $24
• Crewnecks $42
• Hoodies $48
• Pants $35
• Shorts $35

Contact Info:

• Website: www.smileypopco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smileypopco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552408075259
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smileypopco