What Being One of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” Means to Me
Oprah’s Favorite Things. We’ve all heard about it, we’ve all known how big it can be for a company. In our industry it’s like winning the Oscar. It is such a proud moment for our small company of talented women!
Our “lemons to lemonade” story started shortly after I was downsized from my corporate job. I literally started this business in my garage in 2002. The failure rate for new businesses is more than 50% in five years -- I was hoping to be part of the lucky half to survive. This year, we will celebrate our 16th year, and our best year yet! I never dreamed when I started that in 2018, I would be one of Oprah’s Favorite Things, not just for the first time, for the second time in three years. It’s mind-blowing to me! You work hard and try to do all the right things, and every once in a while, it all comes together.
The recognition of Oprah is a type of validation that we have done something very right. All the years of planning, designing, talking with customers to get products as close to what they need and want from both a product and price perspective is coming to fruition. I am so appreciative of our customers for their input – from the constructive criticism to the rave reviews; all of the feedback has helped us build the engine we’ve become.
I’d also like to thank my team. It’s my name on the door, but I couldn’t do it without the amazing women that surround me every day. We are a great group of women who work well together and who provide daily input to make our products and our company better. That, and our combined love for potluck lunches, photo shoots, and crazy work hours, makes coming to work every day a pleasure.
Lastly, thanks to Oprah and everyone at O, The Oprah Magazine! We are truly humbled by your faith in our products and our company, especially in picking one of my personal favorite bags, the Harper crossbody for 2018! We love being a part of the Oprah family!
