Red Ribbon and Co is a new small business that possesses a large amount of style and sass as well as the potential to become something spectacular. Kayla Martel began her journey as a small business owner her sophomore year of high school, creating custom cheerleading bows for her teammates. When one of them inquired if she had purchased one of her handmade bows online she knew she had something going. Soon after cheer season ended and girls inevitably stopped purchasing bows, she knew she needed a bigger target market, changing her specialty from bows to monograms. A year later, she began creating and manufacturing custom t-shirts for her school’s sports teams and organizations. Making monograms and personalized apparel based items from the Red Ribbon and Co factory (also known as the basement) it became clear to Kayla she had found her talent- monograms and marketing.
It seems like Kayla has stamped the Red Ribbon and Co touch on lots of local groups and organizations as well as individuals items such as shirts, dresses, and vests (emphasis on the vests!). Red Ribbon and Co has provided custom products for many various collegiate and high school organizations, while providing for the individual customer base as well. Asking Kayla a few questions about her business it became clear she is extremely passionate about what she has accomplished and sincerely thanks her close family, friends, and supporters. She constantly stresses she could not have gotten to where she is today without them- and lots of coffee!
What would you like to say to the your supporters?
I would just like to thank the extensive support I have received from my family, friends, and community. The people who have constantly and consistently remained loyal customers as well as trustworthy friends to me are the people that I have discovered are worth going above and beyond for. I do my absolute best to treat my customers like family and to ensure they receive the best products and services possible from my company.
What would you like to say to those people who have not supported you?
The people that have not supported me are the ones that have taught me the most important lessons. I was told once to “kill them with kindness”. People who try to bring you down are constantly trying to get a reaction out of you. Don’t give them one. It sounds very cliche, but everything does happen for a reason. What’s meant to be will happen, and you have to be willing to put the work in to get the results you want out of what you are doing. Take every insult and every hateful thing a person says to you and take a look at who it is coming from. Is it really worth getting upset and wasting time over? I personally believe when you attempt to insult someone’s intelligence and tear down their reputation, it speaks a lot more to your own intelligence and does more damage to your own reputation than anything else. I prefer to focus on myself and working hard on my company- I strongly believe with a consistent work ethic and a positive mind, the rest will fall into place.
What would you say to a new customer about you and your business? Why should they come to you for their customization needs?
I started doing something I loved and turned it into something I am proud to call my very own company. I would love to make each customer a part of the Red Ribbon and Co family by providing them with exceptional products and services they will be proud to show off and speak positively about.
What is one piece of advice you have received as a business owner that has stuck with you throughout your entrepreneurial journey?
Well the best entrepreneurial advice I have received has to be from my dad. He has taught me many things and has become my primary supporter throughout this journey. One of the many important pieces of advice he has given me is when he told me- “Sometimes the best business you get is business you don’t take.” At first I questioned this, but going through the ups and downs of owning my own company and handling customers I discovered him to be right (as always). Every customer is in fact important, but if you cannot seem to ever satisfy their needs fully you and the customer both end up at a loss. Nobody can make a $50 shirt for $10 and still expect to make a profit- it’s just not possible. You have to be willing to tell them (the customer) why you can’t create what they requested. My dad has always stressed continual, nonstop communication with customers- they should always know what is going on and should be as equally satisfied with the service as well as the end result and product.
And how about personally?
I have received a lot of personal advice from my supporters. I experienced a great deal throughout high school, but I would not change any of it. It made me who I am today. One of the main pieces of advice that has stuck with me through college- that I actually use every day- is to just take a few minutes and breathe. I was given this advice during one of the lowest points in my life and has helped me immensely throughout these past few months that have proven to be most successful. I’ve also come to realize personally, it’s not always what you can do for a person to help them- you can’t always hold their hand throughout all of their struggles. Sometimes the only way to help them is to let go and let them figure life out for themselves. It may be difficult, but no matter how hard we try to give advice, people don’t learn from wisdom, they learn from experience. Being given the opportunity to gain my own experience to someday give wisdom was one of the best gifts I have ever received.
Anyone in particular you would like to thank?
I would like to thank Jessica and Charlotte Ward for styling the shoot, they are both so kind as well as talented. Of course I would like to thank you (Jodi Gray) for your amazing photos! I would also like to thank each of my campus reps who participated in the shoot: Holly Shields, Alexis Heller, Shelby Williams, Liz Levstek, Maddie Gerber, and Hannah Hintz, as well as my fill in model- Caitlin Venable! All my customers deserve individual shoutouts as well but I feel like we don’t have time for all that! (laughs) They are amazing. I want to thank them for their support.
Wrapping up with Kayla she discusses future expansion plans and the website to be launched in the new year. The Red Ribbon and Co journey has only just begun and I am excited to be a part of this wonderful journey!
Red Ribbon and Co contact info:
Kayla Martel
336-671-0007
Call, text or email for order inquiries.
