How Katie Kime Turned College Trunk Shows into a Multi-Million-Dollar Lifestyle Brand
What began with painted furniture and handmade stationery has grown into one of the country’s most recognizable print-driven lifestyle brands.
Some entrepreneurs spend years searching for the perfect business idea. For Katie Kime, it started with a few painted dressers, personalized stationery, and a college trunk show.
While finishing her senior year at Duke University, where she double-majored in visual arts and religion, Katie began creating handmade stationery and refinishing thrifted furniture. A family she babysat for—who had close ties to Duke basketball—offered to host her very first trunk show. She loaded up her creations, hoping to make a few sales.
The response surprised her.
More importantly, it gave her confidence that people connected with her colorful, distinctive style. What started as a creative side project quickly became something much bigger. Katie realized she didn’t just enjoy making beautiful things—she loved the idea of designing products that brought personality and joy into people’s homes.
After graduating, she moved to Austin, Texas, with a vision and about $30,000 in friends-and-family funding. Working out of a small studio, she launched her namesake brand in 2013 as a one-woman business.
From the beginning, Katie’s designs stood out. Her bold prints, vibrant colors, and Southern-meets-global aesthetic offered something refreshingly different. Whether it was personalized stationery, home décor, apparel, or matching pajamas, every collection reflected her belief that everyday items should be both beautiful and personal.
As customers embraced her distinctive style, the business grew. Interior designers, editors, and shoppers alike were drawn to the brand’s playful prints and custom designs. Just two years after launching, Katie opened her first retail store in downtown Austin, giving customers an immersive experience of the colorful world she had created.
Today, Katie Kime has evolved into a thriving lifestyle brand with a 9,000-square-foot headquarters and warehouse in Austin, where much of the design, printing, and production takes place in-house. What began with a handful of handmade products has expanded into a nationally recognized collection of apparel, home décor, gifts, travel accessories, and custom prints.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Katie
Katie’s journey is proof that you don’t need to have every detail figured out before you begin. She didn’t start with a grand business plan or dreams of building a lifestyle brand. She started by creating products she loved and paying attention to what resonated with customers.
By trusting her creativity, listening to the market, and growing one product line at a time, she transformed a college side hustle into a multi-million-dollar business.
Sometimes the first step toward building your dream company is simply putting your work out into the world and seeing who falls in love with it.
VentureMom Tip
You don’t need a perfect plan to start a successful business.
