Meet Camille Andrews | Clothing Designer

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

Hi Camille, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Everyone wants to be successful, until they see what is actually takes.” This quote is followed by a photo of a ballerina’s toes. One shoe is on and it doesn’t look that bad, but the shoe that is off you can see how bruised, bloody, and damaged her feet, toes, and toenails are. I love this quote. It resonates with me on so many levels. Since starting my own business, nothing has been easy or given to me. I’ve had challenge, after challenge and too many obstacles to count. This quote reminds me there are no excuses in life. We all fall, and sometimes harder than others, but it’s our determination to stand up and try again. It’s not the fall that matters, but how we pick ourselves up and push on… this is where our progression blooms.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have a Mommy & Me clothing line. When I say my kids were an inspiration, I meant it! I design clothing for women and then we replicate it for our little ones. Everything we bring into our line is meant to create memories with your children. From the swimming pool, to the movie theaters we want you making memories wherever you go. Our designs are absolutely adorable, and are great quality with family friendly prices. Each of our pieces are unique and they tell a story. I design unique pieces specifically so moms can feel confident and comfortable. We try to make sure we are current with trends and continually evolving with the fashion market. What really sets us apart is the direction we’re taking our brand. Right now, I’m a small local business with dreams of growing bigger. I think every business owner at some point has to decide the best avenue to grow your brand. With the current market, people are crying out to support small and local. This is vital for our economy. One thing that is difficult as a small business is being price competitive with larger businesses. This is where I believe network marketing is going to flourish specifically with fashion and network marketing. With network marketing you are able to support a small owner, yet benefit from their buying power. This is why we’ve decided we’re taking our brand and transitioning it into network marketing within the next few years. We want to redefine the diagram of network marketing and create a structure more like micro franchising. I believe the path within retail is shifting and there is going to be a break. I believe the break is going to be within the distribution process (how we are sold our products) and not the manufacturing process. People need and want a side gig. We want to be their side hustle. How we got to this point today has just been from working endlessly. I learned how to pattern draft and create my own custom clothing a few years prior to launching. We were strapped financially and my kids weren’t going to get Christmas gifts. We had $200 total for their gifts. They needed winter clothing and shoes, but wanted toys. To solve this, I bought $80 worth of fabric at a discount fabric store. At night when they were asleep, I learned to pattern draft off YouTube and made my own patterns, then would cut and sew those designs. By Christmas Day they each one got one gift from Santa that cost $50, one pair of shoes that cost $10 each and then from me they got pants, pajamas, a Christmas dress, shirts, sweaters. The tree was full of homemade gifts. After I continued practicing and sewing, I decided to launch my line a few years later. I had to sew for a year just to get a stock of dresses. I had to sale a vehicle to get enough money to get my first product produced because I couldn’t afford a full line. I could only afford to have one item manufactured. I purchased my first product then made everything else by hand. In a last-minute whim to launching, I order a few pairs of leggings with my custom prints on them and maxed out my credit card. That is what actually set the wheels in motion to create some momentum for my brand. It’s never been easy. EVER! I launched in the end November of 2018. I had 6 weeks of sales before the year ended. I made just enough from my sales to bring in my spring line, which was two items. I couldn’t afford the kids side of it, only the mommy side. I was only able to order the adult leggings and then I had to cut some of them open to make the kid sizes. That helped really push my line along. I almost never give up an opportunity to showcase my brand and I work all the time. I work weekends, weekdays, after my kids go to bed, holidays, etc.. I want the world to know that there is a shift in network marketing coming. I’ve always looked at the dynamics and wondered why isn’t this done differently. There are some great aspects like allowing moms to work and take care of their children. Before I started my line, I couldn’t go back to work, it wasn’t and option. Child care was $150-$170 a week for one child. I have three. If you calculate child care and gas together and then subtract it from my weekly wages… I literally would have been in the hole every week. Going back to work wasn’t an option for me. This is why network marketing is so appealing to so many people, especially mother.  I just believe that certain aspects should be changed, like not forcing people to buy inventory, not giving a bonus for signing people up. My vision is more of a cross between network marketing and micro franchising. I sell a majority of my clothing on the streets in pop up venues, boutiques, etc. This is how I’m able to continue to grow my line. My brand has done well and is continuing to grow even after the Covid lock-down. This is one of the main reasons I support and want to take my brand network marketing. I’m successful in this area and I want to grow my brand, but I want to grow it with others.

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?
We would definitely visit Scottsdale and visit the Princess Spa and pool. We would have to have a day or two of pampering and shopping. The next day, I would take them to the Greer, Arizona and Pinetop. Greer is awesome. It’s secluded, quiet and heavily treed with pines. I’d rent a little cabin and go on a few hikes. The next day we’d probably wake up early and go to the gym. After that, head to Pinetop and eat at Charlie Clarks and shop with local vendors, listen to live music, hang out at the lake and take a yoga class. After unwinding in the mountains, head to the Grand Canyon and finish off at a little bed and breakfast in Sedona. Arizona is awesome as it has so many different terrains. There are some pretty cool caves to visit in Tucson. It would be wonderful to see all the amazing things Arizona has to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have two shoutouts. I want to give one shoutout to my three daughters. They have been my inspiration for everything I’m doing and are my number one supporter. They have been rooting for me every step of the way. They will accompany me and literally run venues with me. I’m grateful they get to join me and be a part of it. I am so proud of them! My oldest is incredible with sells, approaching people and bringing new people to my brand. From a stay-at-home mom, who had a dream and decided to chase it, Thank you! Thank you for coming to work with me, thank you for supporting me and Thank you for being amazing. I’d love to give a shoutout and thank my husband for stepping up and helping with laundry, cooking, cleaning and helping our girls with homework, so I can continue to pursue my dreams. I work and am often gone a lot,  and he has stepped in and help carry the home load so I can continue to chase my dreams.

Website: www.modernbutterflycompany.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/themodernbutterfly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernbutterflycompany/

Image Credits
Camille Andrews.