Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Bordner.
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
EB and Co. started in 2012 when I was searching for the perfect handbag—something modern, simple, affordable, and high quality—but couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. So, I decided to create it myself.
At the time, I was in my twenties and constantly experimenting with different business ideas. I had sold everything from perfume and vegan donuts to kids’ toys and gym equipment. Entrepreneurship always came naturally to me, but it wasn’t until a friend asked, “Why don’t you go to business school?” that I realized I could turn my passion into a career. I started my MBA shortly after, and the rest is history.
What began as a side project selling handbags at local pop-up events quickly grew into a full accessories brand. Over the years, EB and Co. expanded from online sales to multiple retail locations, offering affordable jewelry, hair accessories, handbags, and gifts to help women feel confident and express their personal style.
Like any small business journey, there have been challenges and lessons along the way. I’ve learned the importance of trusting my instincts, growing intentionally, and focusing on what truly matters rather than simply getting bigger. Those experiences have shaped the business into what it is today.
Now, more than a decade later, EB and Co. is proud to be a woman-owned, Kansas City-grown brand with a loyal community of customers and exciting partnerships with organizations like KC Current, Sporting KC, J. Rieger & Co., Starlight Theatre, and Rally House. My goal has always been simple: offer affordable, joyful products that make everyday life feel a little more special.
What started as a search for the perfect handbag has grown into a business I love, and I’m incredibly grateful for the customers, team, and community who have supported us along the way.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think that’s true for most entrepreneurs. Building a business over the past 12 years has been incredibly rewarding, but it’s also come with plenty of challenges, mistakes, and lessons.
One of the hardest experiences was opening and eventually closing my Hawthorne location. Having a store in that area had been a goal of mine for years, and many people believed it was the “right” place to be. Unfortunately, the location wasn’t able to sustain itself financially. Closing it was disappointing and, honestly, humbling. At the time, I felt embarrassed, but it taught me the importance of doing thorough due diligence, trusting my instincts, and making decisions based on facts rather than outside opinions. It ultimately made me a stronger business owner.
Like many small businesses, we’ve also navigated economic uncertainty, changing consumer habits, inventory challenges, and the balancing act of growth. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that bigger isn’t always better. There can be a lot of pressure to constantly expand, but growth comes at a cost. Over time, I’ve become more intentional about building a business that supports not only my customers and team, but also the life I want to live.
Every challenge has taught me something valuable. Looking back, the struggles have been just as important as the successes because they’ve helped shape EB and Co. into the business it is today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
EB and Co. is a Kansas City-based accessories brand specializing in affordable, high-quality jewelry, hair accessories, handbags, and gifts to make everyday life feel a little more fun and effortless. Since launching in 2012, our mission has been simple: create products that help women feel confident, celebrate their individuality, and enjoy life’s little luxuries without breaking the bank.
We’re known for offering trend-forward styles at accessible price points, making it easy for customers to refresh their look, find the perfect gift, or treat themselves. In recent years, we’ve become especially known for our Kansas City-inspired collections that celebrate local pride and community (as seen on Taylor Swift!) as well as our Charm Bar experience, where customers can create personalized jewelry.
One of the things that sets EB and Co. apart is our ability to blend retail, customization, and collaboration. We’ve had the opportunity to create exclusive collections for organizations including KC Current, Sporting KC, J. Rieger & Co., Starlight Theatre, and Rally House, designing custom pieces that tell each brand’s unique story. We love helping businesses bring their ideas to life through thoughtful, wearable products.
What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. Over the years, we’ve grown from a small side hustle into a recognized Kansas City brand with multiple retail locations, an e-commerce presence, and a loyal customer base. We’ve done it by staying true to our values: offering great products, creating joyful experiences, supporting other woman-owned local businesses, and making customers feel welcome every time they shop with us.
At the end of the day, EB and Co. is about more than accessories. It’s about helping people celebrate everyday moments, express themselves confidently, and find a little extra joy in their day.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing that might surprise people is that EB and Co. wasn’t my first business—far from it. In my twenties, I was constantly experimenting with different ideas and side hustles. I’ve made and sold perfume, vegan donuts, kids’ toys, gym equipment, and probably a dozen other things. I’ve always been fascinated by entrepreneurship and figuring out what people love.
Most people see the finished version of EB and Co., but they don’t always see all the trial and error that came before it. Looking back, every business taught me something, even the ones that didn’t last very long. Those experiences helped me develop the creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills that I rely on today.
Another thing people may not know is that I recently spent a year writing a book. While I’ve always loved building businesses, I felt called to create something that could help people in a different way. Writing challenged me in an entirely new way and became one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever taken on.
At my core, I’m still someone who loves creating—whether that’s designing jewelry, developing new products, building a business, or writing. I think that’s the common thread through everything I’ve done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ebandcompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eb.and.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebkcmo/
