Abby Gasper shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Abby, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
When I first started Goldie Sun, comparison was a thief. I was constantly measuring myself against other small businesses, and it was exhausting. I knew I needed to do things differently to stand out. I wanted to market my products in a unique way, and that led me to connect with a group of regular Kansas City moms. As I focused on building something different, a community started to form naturally. Over time we built real connections, lifting each other up, going to happy hours together, and watching our kids become friends. What I’m most proud of building, though, isn’t a product – it’s this community, this support system, and the culture of encouragement behind the scenes. In such a crazy world, we really need each other. Bringing community together through my brand has been the best part of this journey. We call it the Goldie Gang, and I hope it inspires other brands to do the same.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Abby Gasper, founder of Goldie Sun Accessories. What started as a little gift for a zoo playdate has grown over the last three and a half years into a full accessory brand. I handmake our signature sunglasses and curate playful, unique accessories from other makers to create thoughtful collections. One of the things that makes Goldie Sun truly special is our Sunnie Bar, where you can personalize any pair of sunglasses with your name, either at our events or right on our website. We’re so excited to announce our upcoming fall events, including Fall Chick in Leawood Town Center on October 4-5, the Holiday Boutique at the Overland Park Convention Center November 19-23, and our partnership with Hallmark for their Hallmark Christmas Experience at Crown Center on weekends from November 28 through December 21. We’re thrilled to have been chosen to participate in this special holiday event!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The first time I felt truly powerful was when I realized I can’t please everyone and that is okay. I’ve always been a perfectionist, and in my career I worked hard to meet every metric and expectation. Even when I achieved those goals, I realized I didn’t fit the mold, and the more I tried to force it, the more exhausting it became. The real sense of power came when I recognized my bigger journey was elsewhere. Trusting myself, taking risks, and building my own business gave me a sense of peace and control that I had never experienced before. That moment taught me that power comes from setting boundaries, protecting your peace, owning your choices, and following your own path.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
During the winter of 2023, I hit my absolute lowest point. I was struggling with health issues, at a dead-end with my job, facing an unexpected house issue that resulted in a complete out-of-pocket remodel, and navigating the challenges of toddlerhood and marriage stress. It felt impossible to keep going, yet I held on to Goldie Sun because it was one of the only things that brought me personal joy. It was my creative outlet and reminded me that even in the hardest moments, I could create something beautiful and meaningful.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends, they would say honesty really matters to me. I can never tell a lie, and when someone lies to me, it deeply affects me. Accountability is huge for me. Saying sorry when you are wrong, being a good person, and telling the truth even if it hurts are all important. Loyalty is also key. When you are honest and trustworthy, loyalty naturally follows. What you see is what you get with me, and honesty and loyalty are values I carry into Goldie Sun, where I run my business with integrity and create a brand that reflects the values I live by. Maybe I am just a chronic oversharer, but I would rather be transparent than anything else.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people tell the story of someone who never gave up and always found a way. If there was a problem, I solved it, sometimes unconventionally, sometimes with a zip tie and eyelash glue, but it got done. I want them to remember how hard I fought, how much I worked, and how deeply I loved my people, especially my husband, my daughter, my friends, and my family. The story I hope they tell is of someone who faced life head-on, took care of her own, and never let obstacles stop her from creating something meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopgoldiesun.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopgoldiesun/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopgoldiesun/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/shopgoldiesun
Image Credits
Brand Ambassador Imagery:
Torie Reeves
Amanda Bales
Megan Hammerschmidt
Jaime Smith
Excene Spencer
