Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylee Mecham.
Hi Kylee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
When Cheyenne got the idea for Dakota Ridge her daughter was two at the time. She was looking for rain boots for her everywhere and everything was terrible quality or ugly. 4 am before Christmas 2021 came up with a gender-neutral cowboy rain boot for kids, and that’s how Dakota Ridge was born. Then she brought on longtime friend and creative director Luke along with (me) Kylee to be COO of DR. I was an aesthetician before Dakota Ridge and knew nothing to little amount about managing a small business, but I’m here and I’m excited to learn and grow.
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 is smooth when you have absolutely no clue what you’re doing. Working with a middleman to communicate with China where we get our boots made is difficult. Along with time difference, shipping, sizes, boxes, and everything in between, however, getting used to figuring things out as we grow.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m Kylee and I am COO of Dakota Ridge. Organizing trade shows, making/shipping orders, and assisting Cheyenne (CEO/Founder) in day-to-day work/life stuff that keeps her busy. Proud of myself for coming out of my comfort zone to do something I have never thought to do and how far I have come to learn new skills and workflow that I haven’t been in until now.
What set me apart from others is that I’m a very easy talker and can make anyone feel included and comfortable around me.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That I only maybe 50% know what I’m doing every day. Learning how to help create, make and keep a brand going can get overwhelming and self-discouraging at times.
Image Credits
Luke Armitage
Kaylinn Clotfelter
