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Exploring Life & Business with Mary Campbell of Mare Modern Goods

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Campbell.

Mary Campbell

Hi Mary, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My background is in graphic design/illustration/creative direction and I always wanted to start a business of my own. The timing and idea came to fruition when I got back into riding horses after a 20 year hiatus and wanted to find products for horse lovers that were fun and colorful (think Boden/Marimekko) but also reflected a more diverse and inclusive audience.

I began with just a few products but over time, the business has evolved to include a wide range of products (sourced both in the US and internationally). What makes Mare especially unique is that I’ve been able to draw in a larger and more diverse audience by featuring the stories of different riders and their horses through annual collections inspired by these folks that I design and release on a bi-annual basis. The brand is fundamentally rooted in fostering a sense of community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most entrepreneurs, there have been big learning curves for me–especially around understanding supply chain, inventory and financially how to build a viable business. I think this is true for so many folks because many of us start businesses without a background in business but rather a passion for a product or an industry. Also, simply offering a new product in a fairly traditional market has its challenges! I love color and pattern and, in an industry that has typically been mostly beige/black/white, that can be disruptive.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My best advice to anyone starting a business is to be prepared for many highs and lows and that success does not happen overnight. You have to be in it for the long haul and be willing to withstand a lot of risk and uncertainty. You don’t have to know everything (sometimes it’s better when you don’t!) and you will learn so much along the way—not just about business—but about yourself, your interests and your industry. Stay flexible and open to new ideas but also have a clear vision for what you want to success to look like. Also, make sure to find time for things that recharge your battery. The purpose of life is not just to make money and have a career but to enjoy the many things that light you up in this world!

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see the industry becoming more inclusive overall–showing different body types, including more racial and gender diversity. There is a stereotype that most equestrians are affluent, thin white women–perhaps similar to how golf and tennis were perceived about 20-30 years ago…but we are seeing so much more representation in our industry…and I think that starts with brands like mine…and advertising/marketing departments of larger organizations realizing that people need to see themselves in an industry in order to feel like they belong.

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