Kathryn Hager: Unexpected Outcomes of Saying Yes!

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In the ever-changing world of entrepreneurship, adaptability is crucial to your business’s survival. The past few years have been full of uncertainty and change – and today’s guest has embraced every moment of it.

Kathryn Hager is the owner of Ramble and Co, a women-run apparel shop specializing in hand-printed graphic tees and sweatshirts.

In this conversation, you’ll hear how Kathryn took Ramble and Co from a side hustle to 7-figures, and how she continues to let her life shape her business instead of the other way around. Press play for the full interview or keep reading below!

Buying a Screenprinting Business

The story of Ramble and Co began in 2009, in Kathryn’s last semester of college, when her great-uncle offered her the chance to buy his screen printing business.

After working two jobs throughout college, Kathryn had maxed out her income and jumped at the opportunity to work for herself. “It was a means for me to pay for my last year of college and have some cash flow that I was in control of.”

She never planned on taking the business full-time. But after graduating college and working in the oil and gas industry for six years, Kathryn had her daughter and everything changed.

From Side Hustle to Full-Time

In the early days, Kathryn was working 40 hours a week at her day job, then coming home to screenprint custom orders and do photography and graphic design work on the side. But as their family grew, she realized that kind of schedule wasn’t sustainable.

So Kathryn left her day job in 2017 and gradually scaled back the photography and design work to focus solely on screenprinting. She increased her minimum order size and brought her husband on board as her first employee. Ramble and Co became her full-time job.

T-Shirts for a Cause

One of the biggest turning points for Ramble and Co was when Kathryn started attending in-person events like the Magnolia Market. She built relationships with customers and other vendors, one of whom became a close friend.

When that same friend’s daughter suffered a traumatic brain injury, Ramble and Co became a part of the fundraising efforts, creating shirts for the cause. What started as a way to help out a friend turned into a massive increase in business.

Ramble and Co gained 10,000 followers overnight and ended up shipping over 6,000 shirts, the profits of which all went directly to helping her friend’s daughter. That was in 2019 – by 2020, they’d grown to almost 7-figures.

The Ups and Downs of Retail

Another magic turning point for Kathryn was purchasing their retail space in Wichita Falls, Texas. They transformed a historical 1920s building into a successful screenprinting shop and have since opened a second location in Waco, Texas.

Although the local community was extremely supportive, the retail side of Ramble and Co still took a hit during the pandemic. Around the same time, Kathryn’s husband left the team to start working elsewhere.

Through all this, Kathryn realized she’d lost touch with the part of her business she loved the most: the creativity of screenprinting.

Let Your Business Evolve with You

One thing Kathryn has never been afraid to do is pivot. When she realized she missed the creative side of the business, she restructured her team so that she could spend more time screenprinting.

Now that her kids are growing older, she knows the business might change again. “I’m trying to figure out how to make this business mold into what it needs to be to serve my family in this new chapter.”

Kathryn’s biggest tip for anyone trying to do the same is to stay self-aware. Check in with yourself regularly about how you’re feeling in the business, and stay connected to a community of entrepreneurs so you don’t end up isolated and overwhelmed.

Choose Your Investments Wisely

Kathryn has always spent comfortable spending money to grow Ramble and Co, but her biggest struggle has been knowing which opportunities are a good investment.

“Learning is trial and error,” Kathryn says. “I’m always testing. Whether people realize it or not, I’m testing products, ideas, and the market.”

She’s learned to invest in Ramble in Co for the long term – to serve their customers well and trust that they’ll spread the word, rather than constantly seeking the next new idea. Not only has this strategy helped Kathryn control her spending but it’s also led to a high customer retention rate.

The Power of Reflection

Reflection has been a big part of Kathryn’s business journey. Taking time to process helps her better understand both the wins and failures.

One tool I recommend to all my students is journaling. It can be as simple as writing down what went well, what didn’t, and what you learned. If you want more guidance, check out My Blueprint Year, my goal setting course that includes a journal full of weekly, monthly, and quarterly reflection prompts!

Embracing Change in Your Business

Kathryn has been through a lot with Ramble and Co. From her student days to the side hustle phase, her first retail location and 7-figures…the business has grown and changed almost as much as she has. And it will likely change again.

One thing that hasn’t changed is Kathryn’s willingness to embrace those shifts – and her commitment to building a business that serves her life at every stage.

More from this Episode

To hear the full story and more about Kathryn, press play on the player above for the full interview or click here to download the transcript.

Events at Magnolia Silos

Shop New Arrivals at Ramble and Co

Kathryn’s Podcast: The Ramble On Show

Lindsay Letters

Storybrand by Donald Miller

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Kathryn Hager

Kathryn Hager is the owner and founder of Ramble and Company. Ramble and Company is a women run shop specializing in hand-printed graphic tees + sweatshirts. We have a small line of manufactured items from India and California but our main focus is on our fun small batch inspirational pieces. Our goal is for you to feel confident and supported in the words you are wearing. Our screen printing shop and store #1 (HQ) is based out of Wichita Falls, Texas (faaaaar north Texas, not Kansas) and we opened our second location in Waco, Texas (the heart of Texas my friends) in October 2022. Walking into our store is like walking into your best friend’s home– with a little bit of vintage and quirky flair. We appreciate good use of color, nostalgic pieces, plants, and products that make you not only feel seen but inspired. A signature word around our shop is joy; we want you to have joy, feel joy, and share joy after visiting one of our locations.

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