Stand Out and Go with it ft. Kimberly Dawn from KCD

Yay. You made it to the We Can Hustle podcast show hosted by Shelby Olyschlager, Me! Let’s embark on this journey together of personal growth for us and our horses together. We can hustle welcome everybody to another episode.

Today is a different sort of day where I’m talking with an entrepreneur who is super established in ontario and has done really well for herself. So I was excited to connect with her. Kimberly Dawn is here with me from kicking Cowgirl design. So Kimberly, can you just give us a little bit of a backstory with you and your business and just kind of like, what I really want to know is how did it come about? Its a crazy story, how this all started actually started as a fundraiser. So I was living in Africa and I needed another fundraiser. My family’s in the apparel business. , my mom is a rodeo queen, and I thought I’m going to start a rodeo company as a fundraiser and 20% of all of our sales are going to go back to Africa or here in Ontario.

So I started out with our buckout logo, which everyone knows that the turquoise logo, and I did a few scenes here and there and I went to a car show, because I always went to car show with a boyfriend and there was nothing for girls to go to to see, or it was boring. So I went to a car show and by Saturday afternoon I actually sold out of everything. I kept one piece back just to show a samples and we took preorders. And after that show on the Sunday, the Western London fair happened to be there and they asked me, I’d come to their all equine show, which was the following weekend. So I quickly looked at my dad and said, how fast can we print? Because we do our own printing in house. And he says, well, what do you need?

So I basically said, well, let’s do everything that we just said this weekend for next weekend, which was at the all equine show. we went there and then I actually got introduced to Joe Scully. And Joe Scully told me about rawhide rodeo, uh, told me about Ram rodeo and, uh, then connect me with BJ. And, then I got connected with Ross Miller and then it kind of just went from there. And I mean it started doing tee shirts and then we would do a few assessory things. And then I figured out that I want to do jeans. So I started looking into jeans. I actually got contacted by Kimes ranch jeans back, seven years ago before they were even Kimes ranch jeans. And, um, I wasn’t a fan of their jeans until now. Um, and then I got hooked up with, uh, grace in LA and miss me, and then the ball just started rolling.

And, then four years ago we opened our first store here in Bobcaygeon which was 700 square feet. again, I was still going back and forth to Africa. I never thought this would turn into a full time gig as well as now we’re in a bigger location., my store now is 2,800 square feet. So, it’s been a crazy roller coaster of a ride, but it’s been fun. so not only do I do rodeos, but we do, OBRAs we’re doing that. And that Niagra show where you and I were last weekend. Um, so yeah, so it’s a, it would literally started out as a fundraiser, had no idea that it would turn into a what it is today.

Wow. That’s incredible. See, I had no idea that, it just seemed like it happened super organically for you where you had such a good mission and a good purpose to it. And then it just seemed to fall in your lap of, you know, this is what I think we’re going to start pursuing, or there was such a, a drive for it. Like naturally they were like, we want you, we need you. So like when you first started, was it, you mostly did t-shirts so it was always like your own design or did you print for other people?

Do your own printing for other companies, as well as all the major league sports. We also print it for, Ram rodeo. We’ve done. NBHA now we’ve, uh, are now doing all the raw hide stuff and black Creek rodeo, so not only do we just do kicking cowgirl, kicking cowboy designs or KCD, we also do printing for, all different companies. So my parents and my brother and I, we own the silkscreen boarder company. And then I own a kicking cowgirl kicking cowboy or KCD Western wear, which is actually our legal name.

Yeah, that’s awesome. So when you first started and you started getting a demand and kind of were almost forced to start growing based on the demand you had, were there any sort of challenges that you had to face either like with your own like mindset of doing it, or just literally struggles and challenges that you had to kind of overcome?

So, when I first started it, I was also still living in California. So not only was I in Ontario, my winners, I was spending in California back at home. So, cause I am American as well. So not only was I running stuff here in Canada, but I was also doing US stuff and it was just getting crazy. My parents were shipping all my orders and filing mom, dad said, either you need to come home and figure out what you want to do with KCD and make this a full time thing. Or this has to be just like back on the back burner. so I finally said, okay, I’m going to come home. So I moved back home and fair. Okay, we’re going to literally see where this goes. So of course there were challenges. I had no idea what I was doing.

I had no idea what people would like. I knew what I liked cause I liked the bling. I liked the wow. I like the things that most people don’t like to wear cause I like to be different. So that’s one thing with KCD, you’ll always find the bling. You’ll always find the wildness, like look at my shirt. Like my shirt is a prime example. Not many people would wear a crazy shirt like this. So one thing that we’ve tried to do is make things different. So we stand out, but at the same time, giving back to the community and giving back not only to, Africa, but we also give to a place in a Sioux lookout, which I actually spoke to ticket last night. So I will be in Sioux, lookout Thanksgiving weekend. So I’m going to be able to go up there and see what we’ve been doing the last two years there.

as well as Gravenhearst but also we have a rodeo team which I started and literally the rodeo team started, um, with a couple of people and I made the boys were kicking cowgirl designs and finally dusty McMillan said, Kimberly, can we come up with kicking cowboy? I’m tired of wearing kicking cowgirl designs. So that’s kind of when I was like, okay, well now I need to kind of branch out. And again, you know, to get everything, train market costs, everything to get things trademark, not only in Canada, but the U S and Australia. So there’s been a lot of learning curves I’ve learned. Um, it’s, it’s been a struggle, but it’s been a fun struggle. Like, you know, my dad says find something that you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. And honestly, I haven’t worked the last seven years that I’ve been doing KCD.

I love coming into the store. I love going to rodeos. Um, I love going to shows. Um, I also love it when people come in and they’re like, okay, this is my size. What do you have that would fit me or what would look good on me? And then they walked into the store or the booth, uh, with a smile on their face because they actually found something that appeals to them, doesn’t matter your age, doesn’t matter your size, whatever it is, you know, like we’ve got little girls coming up this weekend that the rodeo I’m wearing my rodeo shirt that you made me look at my blink jeans, you know? Um, it’s a stuff like that. That puts a smile on my face that people get excited because they found something that suits them or fits them.

Exactly. And that is nice. And you’re like, you’re just helping with that cause. And these people leave feeling good. And so with that plus the missions, like how has that kind of been like where, you know, it originally started with the donations to Africa?

Yeah. So, um, so I lived in Africa for three years in Kenya and then, uh, three years back and forth Uganda. Uh, last year, uh, we went to Uganda. I was there for four weeks, uh, this year, obviously I couldn’t go because of COVID my flight got postponed. It’ll probably get his phone for next year, but we’ve done, um, sports in, uh, different slums in, uh, Kenya as well as Uganda. We’ve been helping build a children’s play park. So not only, um, is the money that we put aside the 20% from every sale that only is it going through our own backyard, but it’s also going across the ocean. So, um, right now we’re mostly supporting in Uganda, um, in helping build a children’s play park.

Wow. That’s awesome. And that’s been, so that was seven years ago that you’ve been participating in going across and

No. So I’ve actually been going to a, you gone to and Kenya since 2008. Okay. Um, I started kicking cowgirl in 2014 and then we went, um, public in January. Wow. That’s awesome. Yeah, like I said, if you just started as just a fundraiser, just so I could have more equipment being able to go over. Cause I wouldn’t go over with like one or two hockey bags. I would go over with 13, 15. And the last time we went, we had 48 as a group and hockey bags over and you’ll probably see pictures on our Facebook page or Instagram page. That is amazing. And that must be so rewarding as well. Like knowing you’re making, you’re helping people in your own backyard, as well as people that you don’t even know you’re supporting them and doing things that a lot of people wouldn’t do in your position.

Like it seems like, like your root cause for all of this, wasn’t like, I want to make money. Obviously that’s a nice side effect, but that was never, no, it was honestly just a fundraiser. And I had no idea that seven years ago that this fundraiser would turn into a 2000 square foot store. We’d have two trucks and trailers on the road. Um, not only do we sell in Ontario, but you know, now we’re Canada boot barn and Kybella, sorry, boot barn and Cavaliers is going to be picking us up. We’re now selling in Australia. We ship worldwide. We don’t just ship in Ontario. So it’s neat that when people tag us in pictures or send us pictures and then you find out where they’re from, where, you know, and you’re like, wow, like it’s gone that far because I never, never would have thought this crazy idea of mine would have blown up to where it is today.

You know? And then in 2019, uh, we won best Western boutique in North America, the first ever that they ever did. And then this year we were, uh, came second place and uh, even having our name stand again, um, which was pretty cool. So, um, yeah, so, like I said, this was a, it was just a fluke that this, you know, blew up and, you know, it’s, it’s my passion. I love it. And I love seeing people leave the store or leave the booth with a smile on their face or walking away with a turquoise bag. So it’s exactly, I know your mom likes those turquoise bags too. Yes. So for sure I represent, um, so the one thing I want to touch on is just you in this space as a female entrepreneur, like how, like, what does that look like? Like just for you just kind of approaching it as a rookie and you weren’t, you know, you didn’t take over a business, you started it from scratch.

So with that, like, has that really affected you or change your viewpoint on things and just trying to, you know, just have a successful business. Um, you know, I’ve never really thought of it like that. Um, but now that you say it, like, I guess that’s an accomplishment, cause you know, most people would think that, you know, girls can’t do it or, or whatever, don’t get me wrong. I’ve definitely had help along the way. And um, I’ve had, you know, some of my team and some of my good friends, you know, give me suggestions on things to do. And what do you think would sell or what do you not think? You know? So I definitely have had help. It’s not just been me. There’s no I in team for sure. So I definitely have a great team behind me. You know, my family supports me, my rodeo team support me.

The rodeo community supports me, the bale racing community supports me. So it’s not just me. Um, so I never looked at it as all me. Right. So it’s definitely been a team effort. Um, am I proud of where we’ve accomplished where we are today? Absolutely. Cause I would never would’ve thought that we would have moved from a 700 square foot store to a 20 square foot store. It’s yeah. So it’s um, yeah, it’s a great accomplishment, but at the end of the day, it’s not just me. I, I do have a great team, um, and support

When you decided to like, when your parents said you can either, you know, stay in California winter, or you have to come back, decide what you want to do with your life and, you know, kind of stay more stationary. I’m sure that would have been

Pretty tough decision. Like what
It kind of motivated you to go from where you were to now having

Your, your place you have now? Um, well in all honesty, it was also in California taking care of my grandmother who had fallen ill. So after she passed, uh, I was really okay, well I might as well come home, um, you know, rodeo, season’s going to start a month and then I’ll literally take this month. Um, like, you know, transitioning back to home to see Rose is going to do. And, um, it just kind of, it just worked out and like doors kept being opened. Um, and then, you know, like I hooked up with both rodeo companies. Now we have three rodeo companies in Ontario, so now we’ve got black Creek rodeo. Um, so it kinda just, it just kind of all worked out. Um, I definitely was taking a leap of faith and like, okay, you know, we’re going to try this. But even when I started back in 2014, I was still working for my parents.

We were working on our family business and my dad said in January, okay, I’m gonna give you 30 days. You can figure out this kicking cowgirl thing. And when you’re done playing, you can get back to work. Well, that was seven years ago and I haven’t shown back up to work. That’s awesome. So you went with it? Yeah. So I went with it and you know, I always knew that I could fall back on, um, like, you know, our family company. Um, but I kinda knew that there was something that I was starting, that wasn’t in Ontario and of course there’s great, uh, Western stores here, Ontario, and I’m not saying they’re not great. That’s not what I was getting at, but there wasn’t anything that was mobile. And most things like Ontario is an English world. And we all know that. But being from the States, everything is Western, especially being from California, which is next door to Oakdale, which is the capital of the world for Cowboys.

Everything I knew was all Western, you know, I can never find jeans that either were the right length because I’m so tall, everything was short or I couldn’t find, you know, the bling stuff. So I knew when I was starting Casey, that I was going to bring part of, you know, my California U S heritage, we’ll call it over to Canada. And so when I started KCT, I wanted to make sure that there was things that people could get and didn’t have the order from the States. Right. Um, you like, I truly believe like supporting local and doing things that we can, that’s an Ontario. That’s why all of our silk screening onboarding is done here in Ontario. I don’t send it overseas or over to the U S and you know, so I was trying to keep things local and also like all of my girls that work at the store or work, um, other rotary with me, they’re also getting their local girls that were trying to support local.

Exactly. The one thing you said that kind of stood out to me is you knowing that you’re different from the market that’s here. And that’s what I think a lot of people would struggle with with even wanting to start some sort of business like that is thinking it’s already been done before. It’s already here where I like that sounds like that never, that thought never even crossed your mind. Is that true?

I never even, it just, yeah, just, I just went with it.

Yeah. You weren’t like, Oh, like, you know, cause people would doubt that even like with a podcast, people like, Oh, there’s already like billions of podcast episodes out there. There’s so many that are already been done. Why bother? Like you missed the boat to some degree where you knew and you didn’t even second guess anything. You’re like, this is going to be different. And you knew that you were going to take a different spin. And I mean, that’s probably why you’ve been so successful because it is something that was missing and you totally filled that gap.

Yeah. And you know, like I’ve seen other companies come after me and, and they’re doing, you know, kind of the same thing, which is fine. That’s what is great. But at the same time, like I’ve been doing this, you know, I’ve been in KC since 2014, so I’m well-established I know my customers. And you can ask any of my staff members, you can ask anyone that works for me. As someone walks into the booth of the store, I can tell you exactly what size they are, what they ordered or whatever it was or where we first met. I might not remember their name, but I can tell you exactly what they ordered or what size they are in their shoes or in their jeans or whatever it was. I just have a great memory of remembering my customers. I might not remember your name, but I do remember your size or what you ordered. And I also want to make sure that where my customers come in, that they feel like they’re number one, that they’re important. So like when it comes to a rodeo or when it comes to barrel race, of course I’m there to have fun, but I’m also there as a business. Um, so I want to make sure that any person that walks into my store or into my tent or booth or, or whatever it is that they are number one and that moment that I’m helping them.

Yeah, exactly. And that’s huge as well as just the customer experience and knowing that, and actually like not taking them for granted, like knowing every X, every interaction is going to be a good one for them. And that’s probably why they’re able to like keep coming back. So at that, since you’ve been in business so long, what would you say are like, let’s say three or so skills that you’ve developed since starting.

Speaker 2: (17:36)
So I guess patience sometimes. Um, I try not my customer service go out the window. I really try, but I’ve had to learn patience. I’m like, okay, let’s get this done fast, fast, fast, but I have to learn that some people like to take their time when they come in the store and they want to observe everything or they come into the booth and I’ve really had to learn my patients and making sure that okay. That they want to try on every pair of jeans. Okay. Well, we’re going to be here for an hour trying every pair of jeans and okay. They might walk away with only one pair or maybe none, but at the end of the day, I think my main thing I’ve had to learn is patience. And of course I’m still working on it. Um, but I think one of the main things I’ve had to learn is patience.

Speaker 2: (18:20)
Um, and, um, you know, like I said, I, I want my customers to leave having the best experience and want to come back. And, um, and I even have customers that have even like driven, like for giving idea at our old store, we had someone drive all the way from Michigan, met us at MSU rodeo. Um, they actually go all the way from Michigan to come to our store. They spend three hours in the store. We were actually closed. Um, and we stayed open for them, but at the same time, um, they just drove all the way from Michigan to come to our store. So things like that, we definitely go above and beyond for our customers. And, you know, especially during COVID we did curbside pickup. Uh, we had some people that were, once the store was allowed to be opened, uh, we had that they didn’t want to be, you know, in the store with other people. So either we either open early or we close and they came after hours. So we could do that for them. So really just making sure that, you know, like I said, everyone leaves feeling like they were number one. They were important when they came into KC, whether it’s a store or the booth

Speaker 3: (19:24)
Absolutely. Based on like, no, that’s okay. Do you have another one? Is there another skill?

Speaker 2: (19:33)
Yeah, I don’t know. I’m just, honestly, I’m just so grateful for the support. I’m not like rodeo barrel racing or whatever it is, but just the amount that people have supported us, um, even during COVID and I can thank my customers and yeah,

Speaker 3: (19:49)
Yeah, absolutely. That’s what makes it work, right. Is if you have happy customers, you have a business, no customers, then you got nothing. Right. So with that, like, has there been, like, what are the on the day to day type thing? Like, what is your days look like when you’re there at a store or at a race? Like how do you prepare and actually kind of stay organized? So your day to day life with running the space?

Speaker 2: (20:13)
Well, I’m sure there are people say that I’m not organized. Um, especially, uh, Nick and Ben, they would tell me I’m very unorganized, but I can tell you where everything is. Um, that’s all that matter.

Speaker 3: (20:24)
I think,

Speaker 2: (20:27)
Um, honestly like before I even get out of bed in the morning or making our posts saying either where we’re at, you know, what days are open or what the item is that we’re trying to feature. So like, that’s always, you know, you’ll see our posts either show up at 5:00 AM or between 7:00 AM is when our first post is gonna go up live. Um, so like kind of our first thing, but you know, like there’s like, you know, getting the store ready either. It’s, you know, getting last minute things, you know, put together or, or cleaning or, or, you know, just reorganizing. Cause honestly you, if you look at the jeans right now, they’re kind of all over the place from the weekend since we were closed yesterday, but there’s this, like, it was always something to do. Um, even at a show it’s like opening up, you know, getting the tent, see open, trying to get all that hot air out of the tents that have been, you know, communicated all night type of thing, reorganizing, you know, folding sweaters, holding t-shirts folding jeans. There’s always something to do some days I’m like, okay, I’m going to stop for lunch. And I’m like, Oh gosh, it’s three o’clock I haven’t even had lunch yet. So there’s always something to do. Um, my days go by pretty fast, even like girls here at the store, like if I’m not here, I’m running around doing something for them or shipping orders or going to the post office to ship out orders or we’ve got orders coming in, you know? So there’s always something to do

Speaker 3: (21:46)
Keeps you busy. Definitely busy. Yeah. And I mean, even with that, like all the things like different things changing and especially this year, it is hard to be organized. Cause you like, everything’s so up in the air that hardly even know what’s going on. So with your store, like, it sounds like you have some employees and just, you know, trying to run the show. Would you say that you’re a good leader?

Speaker 2: (22:09)
I would say I am. I would hope I am a, hopefully my girls say that I am,

Speaker 3: (22:14)
That’s something you had to learn. Like you had to kind of develop that.

Speaker 2: (22:17)
Oh, I think, um, I’ve always been kind of a leader, even when I, like I played sports. Like I was a captain on this team or I was a captain on that team. So I think a leader is always been there. So yeah. So like, you know, like my girls know that, you know, we can have as much fun in the store and the booth, but you know, as soon as the customer walks in, then our main concern is them. Yeah. And you know, Megan and Sherry and faith and Ben and Nick and all the people that have worked for me over the years they’ll know that I like to have fun. But when a customer comes in the booth, it’s all about that.

Speaker 3: (22:51)
Yeah. Would you say like, just with the success, like I was just trying to think what you would like say the formula to successes and customers for sure. Number one. Do you think there’s anything else that has really helped other than like the team and everything and anything quality? Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 2: (23:09)
How have you done? Like I stand, I stand behind all my products. I stand behind twist decks, Kimes Grayson LA jeans, um, rock and roll synch, uh, rodeo King, Charlie one, any brand that I’m either wearing or selling, I stand behind them. I will promote them till the very end. But if there’s a problem with a pair of jeans or a pair of twits X or, or, or one of our own t-shirts, you know, we’ve had, you know, mistakes happen, we are human. Um, so it’s, we’ve made a mistake or if there’s a problem with the product, we will definitely make sure the customer’s happy, their new product. But like I said, having good quality is also a huge thing for me because, you know, I don’t want the customer go home and they’ve spent eczema money. They go home and other falls apart or it washes off or it breaks or something, whatever it is.

Speaker 2: (24:03)
Um, I stand behind the products that I sell. So if something is wrong, I will make sure that even if that has to come out of our own pocket and say their supplier doesn’t cover it, then Casey will, because I want to make sure that the customer at the end of the day is happy. And I know how much I have had to work to get case study going and to have a store in trailers full of stock. So I also know what people also work hard to have these items that we bring to the table.

Speaker 3: (24:29)
Right. For sure. And just having like the quality control and you know, one like a one customer is one thing, but repeat customers are totally another thing. And that’s what you want. Like when people get referrals and when you get referrals and people come because they know they’re going to get the quality, then that’s really kind of the game changer. And once you establish that kind of authority, then you know, it kind of does a lot of your marketing for you as well.

Speaker 2: (24:56)
Yup. Yeah. You know, what word of mouth is the best advertisement that you can give? You know, I can spend, when I do, I spend lots of money advertising and uh, photo shoots and uh, you know, whatever it is. But at the end of the day, it’s word of mouth because you’re going to believe what someone says that, you know, over an ad on Facebook or an ad in magazine. Um, so definitely word of mouth is it? And you know, all my customers know that I stand behind the product. So if there’s an issue, I’d rather them tell me the, not tell me at all, because I’d rather them be happy of AMA day than be soured because I got something that, you know, wasn’t good and you know, we are human, we all make mistakes, things happen. I just have to remind my girls that, you know, if something does come into the store that is, you know, defected, then we need to make it right for the customer.

Speaker 3: (25:45)
For sure. Like, I love this story. I love where you started from and how the process just came for now, since you know, you’ve been growing, it’s been growing lots. And I just am curious, like what has kind of been at this point, the biggest motivational factor for changing stores to a bigger spot. And eventually, you know, even if you want to, like your goal is to even maybe get somewhere else or maybe a second store, like, what is the goal? What is your, like, what’s your mission? Like, what’s your,

Speaker 2: (26:13)
Um, before COVID, so back in November, we started talking about the idea of moving stores and we really didn’t know where we wanted, obviously saying Bob kg, we want to be on the main road, but we’re kind of looking to see what we can afford. Cause you know, rent is expensive. Um, I even looked at buying a building and then, uh, that fell through because I got a better offer. So there was, it was emotional roller coaster during the Royal winter fair try and figure out what we’re doing because I knew that we had to move just cause we needed a bigger, just going from 700 square feet to 2,800 square feet is massive. So, you know, our plan this year was okay, we were going to move into this new store. And then eight days before we’re supposed to have our soft opening, we got shut down because of COVID.

Speaker 2: (26:56)
But again, this year, you know, at the end of the year, like probably around now, I was gonna be looking at a second location and it was going to be in Western Ontario. Brakes are on right now just because of COVID and here now we’ve just gone back to phase two. So I don’t even know what’s going to happen going forward in the next couple of months. Like, are we going to go back to stage one? I hope not. But you know, our, our goal is that we want to open up a second location. Um, I’ve even looked in the States. I even have, um, location in the States of where we’re going to open our first, uh, U S store. Um, and again, these are all things that were going to be done over this winter because our plan was after the Royal winter fair, we were going right to Aggie, flex and Regina after Angioplex we were going right to Vegas, to NFR, which we were going to be actually at the NFR our first year.

Speaker 2: (27:44)
Um, and all those things got canned. And then after that, I was going to kind of make my way through the States and stop where we were going to have this store put in. And when I was basic and that kind of started up this winner, but again, COVID head and kind of things, you know, you know, brakes are on. So our plan is of course we want to open another location in Western Ontario since we are in Eastern Ontario and then also state side. So that’s my goal is to have a us store and then a store in Western Ontario. And my girls can run the store here in Bob Cajun, even though I live here doesn’t mean actually live here, actually live in my trailer most of the time. Um, so I can be very flexible and mobile and I love being on the road.

Speaker 2: (28:25)
I’m not a fan of being home right now and it has nothing to do with pub Cajun. I love it, but I like to be on the road and go, go, go. So seeing it being still has been a challenge, but it’s also been great because I’ve also gotten to know what the girls need here at the store with it being a new store. And you know, now we have a lot of walk bys because now we’re on the main road. We’re just down from the locks where all the boats come through because we are a tourist town. I’ve gotten to know some of the locals that I never got to know before, because I was never around. So it’s been good that I’ve been home, but I’m ready to go on the road.

Speaker 3: (29:01)
Yeah. Keep moving and be mobile with your goals. Like they’re pretty elaborate. Like you have big goals. Is that something like, you’ve always been that driven person, always, like, let’s say non-content wanting to achieve more and more and you know, you’re capable. Is that kind of, would you say like your mindset towards my goal is go big or go home?

Speaker 2: (29:21)
So yeah, so I definitely, you know, it’s a goal. My real goal is honestly, I would love to have a store on a piece of property where we could actually host all year round, either buck outs, they all racing. That is actually my, my real goal is I will love to have a store that’s connected to a indoor facility that can be indoor outdoor. I would love to be able to have buckets all the time for bull riding. I would love to have bill racing. You know, I’m all about the bowls and the Longhorns I always have been. So that’s kind of like my thing is, and you’ll notice in all of our designs, there’s always going to be a bowl or a Longhorn, but that, you know, that would be one of my main goals. And it’s not obviously not going to happen tomorrow or next year or five years from now, but I would love to have a facility where we could have a year round where we do blackouts bail racing, or even rodeos or jackpots.

Speaker 2: (30:15)
Yeah. I’m going to have a store connected to that, you know, have her own KCD rodeo. That would be awesome. No, it’s maybe I need to talk to BJ about this again. I love that that would actually be speak cause I’ve never, like, that’s not anything that’s been done here before, but I’m kind of giving you a little insight on, you know, on something that I have been working on talking about, but that would be a longterm goal, but it’s definitely something that, you know, I would love to see. That’s awesome. I like, it’s kind, kinda nice. Like I almost have not quite a vision board, but just that idea, like the image of where I see myself later on and I mean, yeah, it’s not happening in the next year or two years, but it’s like the longterm it’s like, this is who I’m going to be and what I’m going to do.

Speaker 2: (30:59)
And I’m sure with you, it’s like in your head, even if you don’t even say it or like write it down or anything, it’s just always like, this is what I kind of envisioned myself. And I think that’s so important. Like even for you with what you’ve been doing so far, you probably do like you show up as that person that you want to ultimately become and build. Would you like, is that a big thing? Like I just am interested cause it’s like something like I’ve even thought about like, Oh, that’s a cool idea. But to actually pursue it is totally something different. So I’m just so interested in, you know, like the daily progress of pushing yourself and trying to achieve more. Like, do you listen to any podcasts that inspire you or any, I’ve never listened to a podcast. I’ve never done a podcast.

Speaker 2: (31:43)
Like I didn’t have to work zoomed it’s morning until I was no, I don’t listen to things in the truck and you know, nothing. I literally listened to my country music, whatever the playlist that, uh, faith has given me for my phone is what I listened to in the truck going to a rodeo or to a barrel race or wherever I’m going to. So no, it just, it is fly by the seat of my pants, I guess. Has there been anything that’s helped you like, just with like the growth aspect for yourself, like any books or any inspiration that you’ve had that you kind of reflect on me? I feel like I’m failing at all of this party right now. Oh, you’re good. I mean, it’s interesting because a lot of like, you know, people say like, Oh, if you want to be, you know, have something successful, that’s your own like to run your own business, a huge accomplishment. And everyone’s saying like, you need to read all this and like develop all this. So it’s interesting to hear fully different perspective, but

Speaker 3: (32:40)
It’s awesome, like able to do that.

Speaker 2: (32:43)
So I’ll give you kind of a funny story. So everyone calls us. My dad’s name is Gary and everyone calls me Gary and a skirt as though my dad started his business. When he was 18, he basically did it as a summer job. He was going to school to be a lawyer and he did it as a summer job. And literally he decided that he wasn’t going to finish law school and he wasn’t doing a summer job until this day. He is.

Speaker 3: (33:10)
Thank you. 64.

Speaker 2: (33:12)
Anyways, he’s been doing a summer job since he was 18. Wow. So to this day, um, he says he’s never worked with Daymond’s life. Of course he has worked, you know, and he’s, he’s a, he’s a great businessman. Um, I do look up to him. I take a lot of what he’s done in the past and I’ve, you know, kind of implement the year, even with like our sponsorship, you know, I got a rodeo committee. Um, I had an actual, like, they actually have a contract and he’s on contract because he used to work with the blue Jays. So stuff like this, like I’ve taken stuff that he’s learned and I’ve implemented it in my store. So really like he’s taught me a lot and I’m very grateful that, you know, I’ve got kind of footsteps on falling in his way now it’s not Western. He is a scared of a horse. Don’t tell him I told you that. Um, but yeah, so really it’s, I’ve just learned just from watching my dad grow up, grew up over the years, watching him run his businesses. Um, and I say businesses, cause it wasn’t just one that he was running. So yeah. So I’ve definitely learned a lot from him, but I’ve never read a book. I’ve never listened to an audio, nothing in my truck. It’s usually always music, but yeah.

Speaker 3: (34:18)
Yeah. That’s cool. So you looked up to your dad and he kinda showed you the entrepreneurial path and what’s possible. And that’s even, that’s like the biggest thing is just knowing that if he was able to do it and be successful, you know, like that you’re capable and it’s possible for you where maybe some people would have the doubts cause they haven’t seen it actually performed and work where, you know, like all through your life, you’ve been having that figure. Like I guess a role model to see yourself. That’s awesome.

Speaker 2: (34:48)
You know, even with like, you know, coming up with our designs or you know, what to bring in or what not to bring in or what’s going to sell or what not going to sell. Like I have no, I know what I like. And I don’t know what that, what I’ll buy, but doesn’t mean that so-and-so’s going to buy her. So-and-so’s going to like it. So literally I am, it’s a guessing game of when I bring things in and you know, is it going to fly? And so far, like 99% of the time it’s a fly. I’ve only had a few things. And I mean like a few things that haven’t gone and I ended up like, you know, either wearing them or it’s my size and I go home with it. But you know, 99% of the time, anything that we’ve done has sold or is it has been a sell through and it’s either a repeat or we’re changing up the color or, you know, whatever it is.

Speaker 2: (35:32)
So, um, I definitely have an eye for fashion and able to pick what I like to, to give you an idea, elephant ear, flare jeans, you know, I was wanting to bring those back like two years ago and no one was doing them. And then I went to Texas and I was like, okay, people are starting to wear flare. So then I brought them back and now everyone is now wearing flares and I’m not saying it’s me. It’s just saying that, you know, I knew that something was coming in. They always say whatever happens in the States first comes into Canada like a year, a year and a half later. So being in the States all the time has helped me because I can see what is up and coming that the Canadians don’t know about yet.

Speaker 3: (36:11)
Right. That is perfect. Gives you that advantage to get ahead of the ball instead of following and be like, Oh, this is now what’s happening, but you’re like, it’s coming and I’m going to be ready.

Speaker 2: (36:22)
Do you feel like this is back in the seventies? I’m like, I’m bringing seventies back.

Speaker 3: (36:25)
Yup. It’s time. I feel like with fashion, like it has its cycle where it’s in style, it takes about 30 or 40 years and then it just slowly,

Speaker 2: (36:33)
Well they say every 10 years it will come back. So they’re yeah,

Speaker 3: (36:37)
Yeah. Gotta be ready for it. Yeah. Awesome. Is there anything else like with your business, things like that you want to see happening or like this year that you have planned,

Speaker 2: (36:46)
We’re kind of just waiting to see what happens now that we’ve gone back to stage two. We are supposed to have a rodeo this weekend and med CAF, as of right now is a go where it is waiting for one final paperwork to say that we are allowed to have it. So we will be in med CAF. And then the following weekend, we are doing two private shows one and go back and, and um, Ottawa area. So yeah, it’s just, I’m just, honestly, I’m trying to ride out this covert storm. Uh, just like everyone else’s, uh, you know, back in February when I was in Vegas doing all my preorders for the year I was buying for the store, I was buying for both trucks and trailers thinking that we wouldn’t have Kobe cause Cobra. Wasn’t a thing back in January that we really knew of.

Speaker 2: (37:28)
So the, the downfall is everything that I ordered back in February has started to arrive now for the spring and our Royal and our, um, agri plaques and for NFR. Um, so the store is very full. Both trucks and trailers are full. The back room is full, you know, it’s like, okay, what’s going to arrive today type of a thing. So I definitely have lots of stops. So, you know, just trying to figure out how I’m gonna get rid of all this stock, uh, because I just have so much because everything has been canceled. So now that, uh, the Royal has been canceled, we’re going to bring the Royal to the store. So for three weekends, we’re going into the Royal winter fair sales here at the store to kind of push that because if people will drive three and four hours to go to the Royal, they can drive three or four hours to come see us is what we’re thinking. Yeah. So we’re trying to make it, you know, a three week event, you know, basically from the 30th of October, right? Until the 15th of November, we’re going to have the Royal winter fair here at the KCD store. So just kind of, you know, push sales and Christmas sales. And again, we’re still gonna do our curbside pickup, um, if after hours of people need them. And then of course our online sales are still, uh, our website’s up and going.

Speaker 3: (38:36)
Awesome. Cool. Well, me and my mom have been talking about going to your store and it’s about, it’s like three hours. So we might have to make a trip out this fall. I hope you guys do. I know. Right. And we’ll probably be those people spending like half the day. They’re just,

Speaker 2: (38:49)
Hey, I’m totally okay with that.

Speaker 3: (38:51)
That’s awesome. Well, I’ll Kimberly for your business and your own personal, or just your business. Where can people find you and follow you and see what you have to offer

Speaker 2: (39:01)
So they can go to Facebook. So it’s under kicking cowgirl designs under Instagram, it’s kicking cowgirl designs is our main page. We also have kicking cowboy designs. Our website’s very easy. It’s www dot kicking, cowgirl designs.com again, making it simple and easy. So it’s always our name kicking cowgirl designs for Facebook, Instagram, and our website. And if there’s something that you’re looking for that you might not see, not everything in the store is on the website. So we can always do a virtual tour as well. Um, and send you other items if you’re looking for, or we can always search out an item that you are looking for. If we don’t carry it.

Speaker 3: (39:38)
It’s perfect. So like custom buying. Yes, we have done that. That’s perfect. Okay. Well, I think everyone that’s listening to this knows where to go to get all their Western apparel in their comfy sparkly sweaters. That’s perfect. Well, Kimberly, thank you so much for joining me. And it was pretty yeah, of course. No, it was great just to see like different perspective and how this thing has come. So when actually are you planning to do your, uh, your donations and fill up your hockey bag?

Speaker 2: (40:08)
So we, well, we actually collect all year round. We usually go to Africa from January, till April in that time span. Um, so we start really filling bags up in January before we go. Uh, but right now I think there’s six hockey bags in our back room that are actually ready to go, just because we’ve been collecting so we can take any donations any time. Uh, they literally just go into hockey bag. Um, and then they just kind of get stored until we go. But as of right now, we will be going, uh, for 2021 just because of coven, unless a miracle happens. Uh, but it’ll probably look like 20, 22 is when we will go back. But again, nothing expires cause it’s either clothes or shoes or soccer balls, volleyballs, um, or whatever it is. Um, so those things don’t expire. There are times that we do take snacks, but those are obviously items we get like literally the week before we go from Costco.

Speaker 3: (41:04)
Yeah. Okay. So that’s, it’s mostly clothing that you’re taking.

Speaker 2: (41:07)
Yeah. Clothing, sports, apparel. Um, and, um, we’ve even taken like pots and pans. Cause sometimes you go in a village and they don’t have pots and pans to cook. Right. So we’ve taken pots and pans. So we definitely find out what we need before we go. Or we just, before we start packing bags, but all the bags that are already packed, we’re supposed to go for this year. So they’ll just stay packed.

Speaker 3: (41:29)
Okay. Okay. Yeah. And I’m sure if you have a link to a site for anyone

Speaker 2: (41:34)
Listening and they want to do make some donations, I’m sure. Kicking cows, just ask to everyone, just shoot us a message on Facebook, Instagram, um, or send us an email and we’d be more than happy to give you all the information. Perfect. Yes. And also just, you know, if anyone wants to do a donation as a monetary, if it’s over $20, you do get a Canadian tax receipt. So we do have some people that said, well, you know what, I rather spend money and making it a tax receipt. So everything is tax rate because it is a charity, a number that we do have. Yeah. Awesome. Great. Okay. So I hope,

Speaker 3: (42:11)
Listen, you can send her a message and make some

Speaker 2: (42:13)
Donations for an amazing cause that you guys have started as well as an amazing clothing brand. Like it’s such a win-win I love that so much. Thank you. And thanks to you and your mom for supporting us, um, you know, the last couple of years. So it’s, uh, it’s nice to get to know your customers, not just on the customer base, but also on a personal base. I always know that Deb is going to come by and chat my ear off about something and I love it. Oh yeah. Yeah. Oh it won’t for years to come I’m sure. Well, thank you Kimberly again for your time for this. Welcome. Okay. Well thank you.

Speaker 3: (42:49)
Well, that was a fun conversation with Kimberly Dawn from kicking cowgirl designs. It’s just interesting to hear different story and how it all became is pretty unique. And I appreciate her for joining me on this conversation. So if you enjoyed this as much as I did, please let me know, subscribe like common anywhere you can. If you listen to the podcast, I would appreciate a nice review. You can just give me the stars or a comment, whatever you prefer, but I love to hear feedback and I’d love to hear from you as well. So stay tuned next week. There’ll be another episode out on the weekend, also podcasts, and until then be safe. Love your horses and we’ll talk next week.