Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Palmer.
Shannon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story begins with a gift from my Father. He worked in Ecuador, South America and gifted me a ruana, which would later become known as our “Signature” style on one of his return trips home. I had an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age and had participated in small craft shows over the years. I asked him to bring me several shawls/ruana’s on his return trips and after collecting twenty or thirty, I took them to our local church craft show and folded them nicely on the table. Low and behold, they sold and after a few more shows and a year gone by, my husband and I realized we may have stumbled upon a niche. At that point, we began sourcing manufacturers in Ecuador and located the best in the country. Here it is sixteen years later and my husband and I have our custom designs manufactured and imported here to the United States and showcase over twenty different styles within the collection each year. Our “Signature Line”, the original style, is the thread that continues to be the foundation that ShannieGirl was built on. We have come a long way from our early days and it’s been by the grace of God, hard work, and people who believed in us and our products.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not always been a smooth road. You will face challenges that are not always pleasant to deal with, but I have learned that it forces you to dig deep if you want to get the job done. Facing issues that come up that aren’t natural for us is uncomfortable (i.e. negotiating, selling, public speaking, etc.), but once you walk through it, you feel a sense of growth and pride. For example, manufacturing has proven very difficult at times because of language and distance barriers, but because we believe in our mission to provide beautiful, quality products, we press on to find solutions to accomplish the goal. Being a business owner has taught me so much and showed me that I am capable of doing things that I thought may not have been possible. Surround yourself with uplifting, positive people who will offer guidance and support. Constantly continue to learn and improve your game.
Please tell us about ShannieGirl.
Our company ShannieGirl specializes in women’s outerwear, specifically shawls, wraps, capes, and ponchos. We offer a variety of colors and patterns in both trending and timeless styles. What sets us apart is the quality of our products for the value. They’re amazing. That’s one of the things that I’m most proud of is that women notice the difference immediately. It’s one of the first things that women comment on as well as being able to offer such a wide array of color options within the styles.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I think that being heard can be very challenging at times. Finding a way to professionally and tactfully get our thoughts and opinions across without judging others and being good listeners are crucial.
Pricing:
- Our garments are attractively priced from $79 – $109
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shanniegirl.com
- Phone: 7132021044
- Email: sales@shanniegirl.com
- Instagram: @shanniegirlapparel
- Facebook: facebook.com/shanniegirlapparel
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