Entrepreneurs who are passionate about what they do can share their interests with the world while doing well for themselves in business. Vickie Pulliam and her daughter Alison turned their 4-H experiences into a clothing business, and as a result, have helped make many people’s proms, weddings and other “special occasions” memorable.

Special Occasions is a formal occasions clothing store in Odessa, Mo. Vickie began working as an employee at the store, and later became the owner when the opportunity arose. The store owner, wishing to retire, approached Vickie about taking over the business. Vickie had never owned a business or given serious consideration to running her own shop. But she accepted the challenge, motivated by a love of working with clothing and a confidence she traces back to early experiences as a 4-H member. Vickie has now successfully managed the store with her daughter Alison for 6 years, and exclaims, “I absolutely love what I’m doing!”

Vickie learned what it takes to run the clothing business while on the job. Her original employer took her under her wing and prepared her for buying out the business, but she knows there is still much to learn. Early on, Vickie found it helpful to visit with other business owners, and to network with her contacts in the Chicago market where she buys much of her inventory.

Capital financing is the biggest challenge of running a business for Vickie, and she admits that a lot of it is trial and error. The current economic downturn that has effected much of the country has proven challenging for Special Occasions. Vickie and Alison have adjusted their inventory to the limited budgets of girls by looking for more affordable items to stock. They have also carefully watched the market for affordable lines that girls want.

Vickie feels the rewards of owning her own business are worth the challenges she faces. She loves seeing a girl customer come into the store in a t-shirt and jeans, and leaving with her wardrobe and appearance transformed. Vickie especially loves to be there during those moments that are exciting for customers. “Sharing in those dreams is very rewarding,” she says.

The Special Occasions proprietors understand that in order to compete with big chain stores with larger resources, they have to offer customers something different. Their strategy involves an emphasis on customer service. Vickie and Alison implement a policy of “going the extra mile” and working with people to fit within their financial constraints. In-house custom alterations are included with purchases. They also stock a variety of clothing that chain stores normally do not showcase. Making the shopping experience unique and personal helps bring in customers from around the region.

Working with clothing is like second nature to Vickie and Alison. Both have been sewing and making their own clothes since childhood. Vickie grew up on a dairy farm where her mother taught her to sew, and she continued to hone her skills through the 4-H sewing project. She imparted sewing skills to her children, teaching them responsibility by helping them do it for themselves. In so doing, she reflected the pillars of 4-H character education and the philosophy of experiential learning. “I don’t think there’s a program out there anywhere comparable to it (4-H),” says Vickie.

Like her mother, Alison was intrigued by the clothing business. By her senior year of high school she was ready to do something besides waitressing. She began working with her mother at the store and has continued to do so even while attending college. She loves the interactions with people that her co-managerial duties provide.

Alison, too, feels that her 4-H experience has helped her manage the responsibilities of going to school and running a business. “I know it’s cliché but I wouldn’t be who I am today without 4-H,” says Alison. “I think the primary things are the self-confidence and thinking out reasons for things.” She advises young 4-H members to, “Take advantage of any opportunity 4-H offers: trips, scholarships, etc. Whether you want to start a business now or in the future, those things can provide training. Use your connections too. See what others can teach.”

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If you know a 4-H alumnus who has applied their “Clover experience” to becoming a successful entrepreneur, please contact Adam Lofti at acl7f4@mizzou.edu  or 573-884-7929.