We had the good fortune of connecting with Sally January and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sally, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After graduate school, I became a college Spanish professor. The job became very mundane and I found myself spending all of my time encouraging my students to study abroad, because the experience had been so profound on myself. I knew I had much more to give to a community in Mexico, that gave so much to me. I wanted to give access to sustainable employment, while sharing the beautiful culture. I flew to Mexico with one pattern in hand and began my clothing business, making skirts in collaboration with indigenous women in Mexico.

What should our readers know about your business?
8 years ago, my business started as a wholesale company that worked in collaboration with women in Mexico. I started with $500 and a series of skirts. It soon grew, gaining many wholesale accounts, including Nordstrom and I won free rent in a contest, opening my first store front. After this success, I used the profits to open my second location in the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. My concept of empowering women, though enticing, did not immediately prove to be successful in the new location. I learned a lot about what types of products that those visiting Beaver Creek were looking for. I still wanted to to stay true to my buying principles of empowering those who choose to be brave with their lives + give back. Thus, we have become a gift boutique for the entire family, that focuses on local artists + brands with like principles. We have morphed so far, this May, we are rebranding, the shop name is changing to Alpine Kind. With a fresh look, new logo + a refreshed storefront, we will continue to focus on all of the unique brands that make the shop unique.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In the Winter, our favorite thing to do is take our visitors to escape the tourism as much as possible. We love to drive up to Ski Cooper to take some easy turns, let the kids sled and then barbecue in the parking lot. On the way back, we always stop in Red Cliff to visit Bob Will Jr.’s Art Studio. Not only do we sell his art in my shop, but he is our family friend + a fun local to learn history from.

The next day, we would start our day with breakfast at Sunrise in Minturn, which I operate alongside my life-partner, Doug Mcavity. After, we would work off the calories on a hike up Meadow Mountain.

Of course, a visit would not be complete without a trip to Beaver Creek, to visit my shop and enjoy cookie time! The kids always enjoy ice skating + the fossil posse. For dinner, we never have guests without visiting TJ at the Minturn Country Club.

The following day, we would go out with our favorite fishing guide of the Minturn Anglers, Tom Rushlow. If you can’t tell, we love to spend as much time outside as possible!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
All of my work is dedicated to my mother, who sacrificed everything so that I could do anything I wanted with my life. Followed by dedicated to my children, to whom I want to show that if you work hard, you can play hard.

Website: www.alpinekind.com

Instagram: alpinekind

Image Credits
Greer Inez Photography

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