Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Mifflin.
Hi Rachel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
We have been best friends and entrepreneurs long before MKT Clothing Co. ever came to be. Before MKT became the success that it is now, we both owned and operated separate, unique businesses in Warrensburg. I (Rachel Mifflin) opened the Ivory & Lace Bridal Boutique in downtown Warrensburg in 2014, and Karen Vick opened The Market, a pie and ice cream gift shop in 2015. We were and still are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. While both operating our own businesses we would constantly call the other to come to give their opinion on design or buying or if we thought a certain promotion was a good idea.
In 2017 Karen’s husband, Tony Vick, was diagnosed with ALS. After receiving the devastating news Karen knew she could no longer continue to run The Market successfully while taking care of her husband. However, she didn’t want to give up on her entrepreneurial dreams. So we came up with a plan. We started MKT Clothing Co. as a pop-up inside The Market for the first year, testing the waters on our target market and making sure that there was a need for another women’s clothing shop in town. It didn’t take long to realize that not only was there a need, but we had some of the most amazing and loyal customers that were willing to grow with us.
So after selling The Market, we found a smaller location to open MKT Clothing Co. in, so it would be its very own brick-and-mortar location. The move was a great transition and everything was going amazing until COVID hit. As soon as the shutdown took place, we knew we had to make a decision. Either close our doors and let this little dream project go, or double down and put in even more work to keep it going. Obviously, you can tell which choice we picked!
During the shut down we began to do our weekly Friday night live sales. Every Friday night we would go live on Facebook showing our new arrivals, then the next day Karen and I would get in my jeep, with my toddler in tow, and deliver packages all over our town. While we thought we were just trying to keep our heads afloat, we were actually creating an entire community of MKT shoppers in the Burg. Not only were those sales so successful that we made enough profit to move into a bigger and better location, but we have continued to do those live sales every single Friday since.
From the beginning, MKT Clothing Co. has been a complete partnership. While Karen runs our social media and is the face of our company, I handle all of the back-end financials, management, and buying. We both have our hands full, between Ivory & Lace, being a mother, and Karen becoming the sole caregiver to her husband. But as we like to tell everyone, MKT is our happy place.
It is where we go to be creative, enjoy fashion and interact with our amazing customers. Our company has grown leaps and bounds, and we are now not only selling country-wide but worldwide as well. MKT has become more than just a brick-and-mortar, more than just a boutique, and more than just Midwest!
As you know, we’re big fans of MKT Clothing Co. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MKT Clothing Co. is a brick-and-mortar and eCommerce boutique located in Warrensburg, Missouri. Curated by best friends Karen and Rachel, MKT Clothing Co. is dedicated to providing modern, affordable fashion for every woman.
Founded in 2017 as a creative and therapeutic outlet for two friends who were in need of some positive energy. What started out as our “happy place” has now turned into a nationwide clothing boutique. Shop online or in person, either way, these two best friends will be doing a high five with every purchase.
What does success mean to you?
Success for us is more of a feeling than a specific sales amount. We consider ourselves successful by being stable enough to spend stress-free time in the store with one another.
While MKT has its challenges like every other business, we have tried to develop an environment that is positive and uplifting. We truly enjoy our time spent with our customers and also the opportunity it has given us to spend time together as best friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mktclothing.com/
- Instagram: @mktclothingco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mktclothing
Debby
August 24, 2022 at 11:02 pm
I just want to l say they been very congenial to help my with this new way of buying clothes . I still haven’t caught on but they are always very helpful .MKT Clothing is a great place to shop so we don’t have to drive somewhere , Thank you all