Hidden Gems: Meet Sydnie Marrah of Oak & Ivory Clothing Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydnie Marrah

Hi Sydnie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2019 I graduated college with a degree in Business Administration and Management and quickly learned that the only person I wanted to work for was myself. Fast forward a year later with a dream and not a clue what I was doing, Oak & Ivory Clothing Co. was born. My vision was clear, to make woman feel confident in the clothes they were wearing. After a few months of selling online, I decided I wanted to pop up at different events around Michigan and we grew with customers from all over. The biggest impact of my business were events in my hometown of Owosso, MI where there was not clothes like this around here. I was able to connect with customers one on one and get a feel for what they were looking for. In 2022, I was approached to open a storefront in a 600 sq ft space right on Main St. This was one of the scariest decisions I would ever make and I was already working a full time job out of town, but with my mom and dads knowledge and help, we said let’s do it. We had one week to renovate the space to be up and running before the holiday season. Turns out this was the best decision I have made, the response from the community was overwhelming in the best way possible. In a short 14 months, we then decided to expand the business in a 2400 sq ft building where we added a men’s clothing line, inclusive sizing and much more. We are in the heart of Downtown Owosso next to so many amazing shops. I was able to quit my full time job and work for myself full time where I can connect with customers one on one everyday.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing about being a business owner is a smooth road, but I have two amazing parents who have helped me in so many ways that I don’t think any of this would have been possible without them. My biggest struggles were growing in a small town, marketing my business and getting loans to expand.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Oak & Ivory Clothing Co. is a small boutique in Downtown Owosso where we carry women and men’s clothing that is size inclusive, accessories, and home goods. We are set apart with our quality of clothing, the uniqueness of each piece and offering a range of sizes for everyone. We are also the only store in Owosso that carries men’s clothes which has made a huge difference in the community. I believe in creating a shopping experience for customers as soon as you walk through the door, we pride ourselves in the connections we make and the vibe of our store. Since it’s a small town, I enjoy hosting events in my space where I collaborate with other small businesses for a day or a night of fun.

How do you define success?
I define success as making a positive impact in someone’s life, creating connections and helping people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oakandivory.shop
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakandivory.shop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakandivory.shop