We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha Peck a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Samantha, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I knew when I started an outdoor gear brand that I was entering a male-dominated industry. While for some being the only woman in the room might be intimidating, I chose to use it to my advantage and to represent this minority. I found that women feel more comfortable in the outdoor space when they see themselves represented and can relate to who they’re buying from. A brand can only become successful when your customers know, like, and trust you, and a goal of mine has always been to be relatable as a businesswoman and a brand. My customers can see themselves in me and my story and that has been the backbone of my success. Being a woman-owned business has never been a disadvantage.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I started DryFoxCo in 2017 to help all adventurers travel smarter by packing lighter-weight gear. After having traveled solo for many years, I knew I could design some of my gear better by making them more compact and more secure. I invented a quick-drying towel that was super packable and also has an attached, waterproof, zipper pocket for hiding your valuables such as your phone, wallet, and keys. The towels all feature fun, reversible patterns so you can quickly identify your towel on the beach, and come with snap loops to hang dry.
DryFoxCo is a mobile company that travels across the US to in-person shows, festivals, and expos. This allows for me to meet our customers in person and connect with them which has been a truly rewarding experience. Our website always lists the shows we will be at so please come out and meet us!
A big goal with my brand was to be an eco-friendly company so all of our towels are made of 100% recycled materials and we are working hard to get certified as a plastic-neutral company in 2024 by working with a company that does ocean clean-ups. So for every towel sold, plastic will be cleaned out of our oceans!
Our towels are offered in 3 main sizes: beach, pack & washcloth. In March, we are launching 5 new styles that have already been selling fast during our pre-order. Our new designs are always based on customer feedback and this spring we are getting in to mushroom prints!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Perseverance, patience, and compassion. Stick with it, be patient, and give yourself a break if things don’t work out as planned. Remember that things won’t take off overnight. You have to keep going and sometimes things get repetitive and frustrating and you might feel a little crazy, but if it’s something you’re confident in, see it through and be kind to yourself along the journey.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
DryFoxCo is always looking for people/brands to collab with…that’s how we grow! Working with other outdoor gear brands on product giveaways has been hugely successful in helping us (and the other brands) grow our audience and reach. I love working with anyone passionate about getting outside and inspiring others. We are always looking for micro-influencers, brand ambassadors and affiliates so reach out! Being a small business, we love doing product exchanges for content so if you love making content, I’d love to work with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dryfoxco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dryfoxco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dryfoxco
