Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Lundgren.
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Long before I had children of my own, I noticed how hard it was to outfit a boy. The wide variety I loved browsing for the little girls in my family and circle of friends didn’t seem to exist for boys. Rather than endless styles, my choices were limited to color and size, traditional or Sunday best. But nothing that held up to our family’s active, outdoor lifestyle.
When I had my twins, Lucy and Copeland, it was easy to find clothes for my daughter. But the easygoing essentials for my son were impossible to find. I founded BlueQuail Clothing Co in 2015 with the belief that parents need clothing that is as practical as it is fashionable. For both boys and girls.
My line is inspired by the good times and memories of days spent under the sun. The entire collection is designed to easily transition between polished and playground and made to last. My biggest inspiration is my father, who continues to deal with skin cancer and preach the importance of sun protection. He is the reason each piece does its part to protect your child’s skin from harmful UV rays while encouraging self-expression and a love for the great outdoors. I wanted to prove play clothes can be durable and photo-ready for all these snapshots we take.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There have been several unforeseen challenges throughout this process. My first challenge was finding a manufacture. I wanted to manufacture in the US but I quickly learned that the performance material that wanted came from overseas so even the brands made in the US got its material imported from overseas. That created a huge obstacle for me as every season I create custom prints and not just select solids, stripes or plaids from books. The second part of this challenge was the price point that I wanted for my customer was not obtainable if manufactured in the US so overseas manufacturing was the only option for my business plan. Customs and the challenge that comes with importing goods has been difficult. Then there was Covid and how that has affected our economy and my retailers. The challenge of growth and trying to predict the inventory needed for that. Lastly, in just this last year logistics and shipping has almost tripled. All of this to say, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have learned so much from each obstacle and challenge and it’s only made me a better business owner.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What sets BlueQuail Clothing Co. apart is its fabric and prints. I spent 2 years searching for a performance fabric that was UPF 50+, soft, quick-dry, stain-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, and would allow fun custom prints and colors. For years, boys’ clothes has been firetrucks and superheroes or simply stripes and plaids. I knew there was a need to make boys clothes have fun prints that reflect adventurous outdoor lifestyles. Now, because of the uniqueness, even dads want wear BlueQuail. Customers look forward to the new prints each season and they have become collectable. My brother, Tanner Burnes, is an artist and graphic designer in Dallas and brings all my ideas to life. I have had the privilege of working with a few other artists as well including my most recent collaboration with the incredible watercolorist Catherine Cartie. Each piece of clothing is literally a piece of art.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
It didn’t take much searching on Google to keep coming across the name Mercedes Gonzales. Mercedes is the CEO of Global Purchasing Group of New York. She speaks at trade shows to designers and retailers educating them on the industry. I reached out to her and enlisted in her design program and owe much of my success to her. She helped steer me in directions like focusing on wholesale instead of e-commerce. When I called her firm, I asked to speak to her directly. I told her I didn’t have room to fail. I was a stay-at-home mom of twins using savings to start this adventure and wanted to work directly with her. She was impressed and took me on as a client. Don’t be afraid to speak directly to the person that you know could help you. You will find a lot of people in your same industry do not want to share information but don’t let that get you down, that usually means they are afraid of your potential success. There are plenty of people that believe there’s enough information to be shared without handing you over your business plan. I believe a rise in tide raises all boats. Ask questions but don’t expect all the answers. Another mentor I’m lucky enough to have is my father. He also owns a business that manufactures and imports artificial lift systems for the oil business. While the oil business and apparel industry is very different, importing goods and communication with China is the same. Find someone who imports and ask questions. It doesn’t have to be the same industry to be beneficial.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@bluequailclothingco.com
- Website: bluequailclothingco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluequailclothingco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluequailclothingco/
