Finding the Real Treasures in the Struggles with Youer Founder, Mallory Ottariano

The Business of Apparel

Finding the Real Treasures in the Struggles with Youer Founder, Mallory Ottariano

In this episode, Rachel sits down for a fascinating conversation with Mallory Ottariano about her unexpected journey into fashion entrepreneurship and the creation of her brand, Youer.. From dreaming of architecture to finding her true calling in design, Mallory’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and innovation. She recounts her beginnings with a simple Etsy shop and the eventual evolution of her previous brand, Kind Apparel, ultimately leading to the creation of Youer. Her journey is filled with passion and the determination to ultimately make it work, no matter what it took.

In the early days of the pandemic, Mallory faced overwhelming supply chain disruptions, like many, that threatened the very survival of her business. This episode details her struggle to maintain production, operate from a basement, and even code a crowdfunding page from scratch. Through incredible perseverance, she successfully rebranded her business and pivoted to in-house production, setting the stage for a triumphant product launch that would change the trajectory of her business as she knows it.

We also explore the unique marketing strategies that have set Youer apart, including an annual treasure hunt event and various other marketing tactics. Mallory’s approach to being the face of her brand, her engaging social media presence, and her carefully-crafted content make her a must-follow and stand-out in the community of apparel.

More about Youer: In 2012 I was fresh out of architecture school and looking to keep a creative outlet alive so I bought a $100 serger (a sweet sewing machine) on eBay and started sewing clothes in my parents basement (like, the closet where the Christmas decorations are stored part of the basement) to sell on Etsy. My mom found a great free table on the side of the road and loaded it on to the roof of her ’98 Subaru and that was my work station. My materials were thrift store clothes that I would spend hours shopping for and cutting up to sew into really wacky things that were colorful and weird and one of a kind.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-Mallory’s incredible journey that led to her starting her brands.

-The tough journey through the pandemic and the one product launch that turned everything around.

-Some of the biggest obstacles in manufacturing in the US, particularly from a remote location in Montana.

-The marketing advice Mallory did not take that ultimately worked out for the better.

We can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode!

Connect with Youer:

IG: @shopyouer

Website: https://www.shopyouer.com/

Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course

To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn.

To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.