Take two fashionable sisters who are driven and motivated to start an e-boutique and an exclusive line full of unique, modern, and affordable pieces (line coming soon), and you get KISSUE. When Kailey and Kaygan Tissue reached out to me, I fell in love with their story (local Houstonians!), their ideas, their website, and their sweet personalities. I’m very excited to be featuring them in this installment of The Interview Series, and I think you’ll fall in love with them, too (and p.s. if you read to the bottom, you’ll find a coupon code exclusively for FPTP readers…happy shopping!).
FPTP: How would you describe KISSUE?
K+K: KISSUE is a women’s fashion brand that offers unique, fashion-forward clothing for the modern woman.
FPTP: What inspired you to start KISSUE?
K+K: Our passion and love for fashion and the industry inspired us to start KISSUE. For years we have had the goal to design our own exclusive clothing line, and we thought about our options and made a plan as to how we would go about this. We decided to start with an online boutique where we sell hand-selected items that we feel are a good representation of our style and aesthetic. We chose to start out with the online boutique in order to build our brand name and develop a customer base and following. Our dream and inspiration to one day have our own exclusive line and that is what motivates us everyday. We are in the beginning stages of starting the process of producing and manufacturing our own line, and we are extremely excited to get this process started and to move forward with this next steps.
FPTP: Where does the name KISSUE come from?
K+K: KISSUE comes from combining the first initial of our first names, K, with our last name, Tissue.
FPTP: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in starting and running your own company?
K+K: There have been quite a few challenges that we’ve faced with starting and running our own company. We knew before we started this process that the beginning was going to be tough. Our mom started her own dental practice in the Katy area, Kingsland Dental Group, and she built the practice from the ground up. It has become one of the most successful practices in the Katy area for over 20 years. We have learned a lot from her in these beginning stages, and she has been there every step of the way to guide us and give us encouragement. The biggest challenge that we’ve faced is learning and coming to terms that building a successful business takes time. We knew our success wouldn’t come over night, but the beginning stages have definitely taught us a lot about patience and learning to stay focused on the big goal. Building a business from the ground up takes an enormous amount of work and dedication, and sometimes in the beginning it’s tough when you don’t see immediate results of that work. However, in just the short amount of time since our online boutique launched, we have had some big successes and we definitely learn to appreciate the little successes along the way as well. Those are the moments that give us that little boost and remind us that the work we are doing is paying off. We have never been afraid of hard work. The harder we work, the greater the satisfaction we get when we succeed.
FPTP: What have been the biggest rewards?
K+K: The biggest rewards of starting our own fashion business is the realization that we are doing what we’ve always wanted to do. This is our passion and what we’ve always seen ourselves doing career wise. Knowing that we are making this happen and that we get to do what we love is our biggest reward.
FPTP: Describe the KISSUE girl.
K+K: We love this question! The KISSUE girl is someone who is fashion-forward, modern in her sense of style, and confident. She isn’t afraid to be different and unique. She doesn’t follow trends too closely, but rather takes the trend and interprets it in her own way. The KISSUE girl knows who she is and expresses herself through her fashion choices.
FPTP: Where can you purchase KISSUE?
K+K: You can purchase KISSUE pieces on our online boutique, www.kissuetx.com! We have also partnered with the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon, where we have a storefront and sell our KISSUE items, http://www.amazon.com/shops/KISSUE . We are exclusively online, however we plan to open up our flagship store in Houston within the next 2 years.
FPTP: How is it working together as sisters and business partners?
Kailey: Working with Kaygan and having my sister as a business partner is awesome. Our goals and ways of thinking when it comes to KISSUE are very similar, and we are constantly on the same page. Being sisters, there is a level of trust and respect that you wouldn’t experience working with someone else. We are always there for each other, and we are each other’s biggest support system. We went into this knowing that we wanted to do this together, and I can’t imagine it any other way.
Kaygan: I can’t imagine starting this business with anyone other than my sister. We came up with the idea together and knew we wanted to live out our dream side by side. Having confidence and trust in my business partner is something I’m very grateful for.
FPTP: What words of wisdom do you have for someone wanting to start a clothing brand?
K+K: Some words of wisdom we would give others starting a clothing brand, especially young people like ourselves, is to have patience. Yes, you know what you want, and you want to make it happen, but it’s going to take time. Keep your eye on the prize and try your best to not let minor set-backs discourage you. The fashion industry is cut-throat, and you have to be tough, determined and motivated. But our best advise we can give others is to enjoy the ride! Starting our clothing brand has allowed us to learn and experience so many different things, and we are very grateful that we get to do what we love.
FPTP: Favorite Twitter account you follow?
K+K: Well besides KISSUE…Haha just kidding.
Kailey: This is a tough question! It’s a toss-up between @styledotcom and @Maybelline. @Styledotcom because it gives me my fashion fix, and @Maybelline because whoever runs their account should really be my best friend. We get each other.
Kaygan: Oh I have plenty accounts that I love, but I would say @MBfashionweek and @ENews are at the top of my list.
FPTP: Favorite Instagram account you follow?
Kailey: Impossible to choose just one! But if I have to, I’ll go with @womensweardaily. But wait, I can’t leave out @Manrepeller! Leandra is awesome, end of story.
Kaygan: My favorite Instagram account would be @MBfashionweek. You get pictures live from the runway.
FPTP: When you’re not working, what are you doing?
Kailey: When I’m not working, which isn’t very often, I do my best to relax and enjoy that down time. Our older sister, Kelsey, just got engaged so we’re staying busy helping her plan the wedding! It’s a very exciting time.
Kaygan: I am currently a full-time student at TCU, so when I’m not working, studying or doing homework, I love to sketch designs and read the latest Women’s Wear Daily that I receive in the mail.
Coupon code: ‘fromp2p’ – you will get 10% off your entire purchase. Coupon expires March 31st. Head on over to KISSUE to shop.
Great interview! Happy to know about them :-)!