Local Voices

Peekskill Clothing Designer Is Online Entrepreneur

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. This series is as much about supporting companies as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Our spotlight today is on Megan Dorien.

Business
: Mine is Yours Apparel
Owners: Megan Dorien
Websitewww.mineisyoursapparel.com
Address: Peekskill

How did you come up with the name?
The idea behind 'Mine is Yours' is simple on its basic level but, like with anything, gets intense when you really dig into the idea. Simply put, I feel like I have something that I can share with the world. I was given the ability to create things with my hands that some people find beautiful. It's my way of connecting. So, 'Mine' is 'Yours', it's a gift for those who want it, but it's also a gift for me because of the feeling that occurs during these connections.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?
The business was launched as an online endeavor. One day we may delve into the brick and mortar platform, but for now we are sticking to an online store and some festivals and fairs.

Briefly, what business are you in?
Independent clothing line

What's the most difficult moment or challenge you've faced as a business owner?
As with many start ups, money is the factor that determines so much. I found it really hard to decide which avenues were best to put money towards and which to hold back on. That side of the business is a job in itself. I am constantly balancing and monitoring money outputs, seeing what works and pushing more funds to it, and vice versa.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
I probably should say 'yes', but I haven't second guessed myself yet. I'm pretty determined by nature and even if I have days that are really difficult and it would be so easy to fold, I never do. I've been self employed for the last few years and know what it is to have to work hard. It's a pretty simple formula; if I don't work, I don't have money.

So, I keep pushing and I find it fun and rewarding.

What's been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?
A few months ago I was at a cafe in Beacon and I saw a woman wearing one of my hoodies. I walked up to her and said "Hey that's a cool hoodie, how do you like it?" and she smiled and said "I love it so much, I always get compliments on it and it's one of my favorite things to wear". I tried to play it cool, and that was the plan, but I ended up breaking down and laughed and said "That's MY COMPANY!". We had a great laugh about it and it was just another great opportunity to connect with a stranger.

What's the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?
I bounce ideas off of friends and family all the time. Anytime I want to try a crazy marketing idea or do something new, I test the idea out verbally with people I know. It gives great insight because friends and family will most likely be brutally honest. It can sting, but it's so worth hearing the truth rather than wasting money that people won't respond to.

A good example is an idea that came about one late night. A few friends and I were discussing the importance of giveaways in business, that people love feeling special and singled out, it's human nature. So, we loosely devised a marketing push that would be fun and special for the receiver. From that talk, I created a giveaway that involved helium balloons and tshirts. I let 30 shirts, each tied to balloons go in different parts of NYC. The responses that I heard back were everything from delighted to confused. I liked trying to imagine how I would feel if I saw a little care package floating down the street and I caught it.

How do you deal with difficult customers?
There are difficult people everywhere you go, in every corner of the world and I deal with them the same, by being nice. Maybe they are having a terrible day or even worst maybe that's just how they are. That's so sad for them and I would only make it worse for everyone involved if I were to dip down to the level that they're on.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
Anytime we can sponsor an event or do giveaways as part of a cause, we always do. I am also into sharing tips and advice that have worked (or more importantly not worked) because we're all in the same boat. It's hard and there's no harm in sharing.

The plan behind this series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Find out what's happening in Peekskill-Cortlandtwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here's a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.


Find out what's happening in Peekskill-Cortlandtwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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