Interview with the Owner of Lake Girl Apparel

Episode 30: Molley and Chad interview Missy Johnson, owner of Lake Girl Apparel.  We’re going to talk about her brand and how it was a perfect fit, given Missy’s love for the water.  Hey, if you’re going to enjoy the Lake Life, you should look good while you’re doing it, right?  Be sure to listen to the end of the episode for a special offer!

How Did Lake Girl Get Started?

Missy lives in Minnesota (“the land of 10,000 lakes).  Lake Girl started in 2002, in Detroit Lakes, MN.  The original founder, Peggy, founded the store and focused more on a wholesale business model.  About 5 years ago, another company, LakeShirts purchased the company and took the Lake Girl brand nationwide. 

Molley comments that Lake Girl clothes are available in the ship store at the State Dock Marina on Lake Cumberland, where she and Chad boat.  She loves the quality and softness of the shirts and sweatshirts.  Missy mentions how these products last forever, but people keep buying them because of the quality.

How Did Missy Get Involved in the Lake Life?

Missy begins my letting listeners know that there’s a lake everywhere you turn in Minnesota.  The state’s nickname is, “The Land of 10,000 Lakes.”  The Lake Life lifestyle is embraced throughout both the summer and the winter.  During the warm months, people go boating and swimming.  During the cold months, people are right back out there, ice fishing and ice skating. 

Missy admits she actually lives on a river, but that’s perfect because Lake Girl also has a River Girl collection.  She tells a quick story about recently taking a friend kayaking on the river.  The experience helped her friend to get over her fear of the water and now, she’s a River Girl.  It’s part of the power a great experience on the water and the surrounding nature has to change a person’s life.  Molley agrees.  As soon as she and Chad get back on the lake, those deep breaths of fresh air melt away the stress and helps them to rebalance their busy lives.

Chad talks about how this podcast got its start.  They noticed there weren’t a lot of podcasts focusing on lake boating, which is their passion.  It’s something for people who enjoy being out on the water having fun.  There’s a huge community out there and Lake Life with Molley and Chad is providing a way for people to connect, learn and just enjoy life in general.  It’s a big family.

Molley adds that Chad tries to work in a boat ramp story on as many episodes as possible.  That prompts Missy to admit that they spend time sitting back watching people try to put in or take out their boats, all the time.  If you’d like to hear some funny stories, check out the following episodes:  Don’t Be That Guy!, Ramp Etiquette and Trailer Safety and Learn from Our Mistakes.

Has Missy Always Been a River Girl?

Molley asks Missy about this, noting that it gets really cold, really fast in Minnesota.  Missy agrees, but then describes the surreal experience of having an actual bonfire on the lake.  It’s a wonderful advantage to having such cold weather. 

Another great reason Missy enjoys the colder weather is because it brings the opportunity to simply stand there and breath in that cold, fresh air while on or around the water.  There’s nothing like it. 

Missy’s also looking forward to bundling up and paddling down the river to look at all of the autumn foliage and the wonderful colors.  It’s actually going to be here first time and she’s taking the friend she mentioned earlier.  They can’t wait!

Missy grew up near the Mississippi river and it was always a place she loved because it allowed her to cleanse her mind.  Water has always been part of her life.  Ironically, it’s how she returns to feeling “grounded.”

There’s a funny story about how Missy and her boyfriend got to enjoy a waterpark with a lazy river.  After that, she told him she wanted him to build one for her.  A week or so later, they found a house for sale on a slow-moving river.  Now, her boyfriend often asks, “How’s this for a lazy river?”

How Does Lake Girl Apparel Standout from the Competition?

Missy starts by saying the Lake Girl is their brand and if you see clothing with that name, it came from them.  They work with a specialty designer so the looks and products are able to change frequently.  Currently, they launch roughly 4 different designs per month.

They also have a Lake Baby brand.  It’s part of their Impulse Kids collection, which includes Dockboy collection, in addition to the River Girl collection, mentioned earlier. 

Missy returns to the important aspect of quality.  She’s received tons of stories from customers who constantly wear the clothing, without wearing it out.  It’s part of why, in her opinion, the Lake Girl brand enjoys so many repeat purchases from its loyal customer-base.  Many of these customers love to visit their wholesale locations to see what’s new.  Here’s a link to the store locator.

Lake Girl Is About More than just Clothing

Missy mentions that the brand’s best-seller is their All-American brand caps.  These are a customer favorite, year after year.  Every lake girl has to have a hat on the lake.

They’ve recently added drinkware and mugs.  And, if you’re looking for more Lake Girl swag, check out the magnets and keychains.  After all, ever girl knows it’s always about accessorizing, right?

Missy also mentions their waterproof, tear-proof stickers.  They’ll make it through the dishwasher.  They’ll last on your car or take-along other surfaces.

If you’re decorating your she-shed with a Lake Girl theme, don’t forget to pick up on of their signs and a bottle opener.

What Inspired Missy to Add the Lake Girl Brand to Her Company?

Missy’s main company is LakeShirts.  Truthfully, it kind of fell into place.  The original Lake Girl warehouse was located across the street, so integrating the two made sense for the business, as well as the customers.

Missy joined the LakeShirts company five years ago.  She brought a lot of retail experience.  Once the Lake Girl brand was added, it was a perfect fit for Missy (see what we did there?).  Lake Girl has really benefitted from the infrastructure and reach that LakeShirts had already established in the market.

Do the Employees Enjoy the Lake Life?

Every chance they get.  In fact, they just created a design, “Off the Clock, On the Dock!”  Missy things the initial inventory was sold out just from staff purchases, even before it made it to the website.  The company is full of lake enthusiasts who work and play together in their tight-knit community.

There Really is a Detroit Lake

The company is in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.  Missy estimates they have 5-7 lakes within a 15-mile radius. 

What’s the Biggest Recreational Activity in their Area?

Fishing is incredibly popular, because it can be done year-round.  People fish from the bank, wading near the shores, off boats and yes, through the ice.

The boating season in the Detroit Lake area last about 3 months.  Missy admits you can stretch it to 4.5 months, if you’re brave.  Speaking of brave, they also have a polar plunge tradition.  This is when people jump into the frigid water, during the winter.  There’s a health benefit, but more importantly, they’ve turned it into a charity event.

A Special Offer from Lake Girl Apparel

Before we go, Missy wants to offer a special code for the listeners of this episode.  Enter Mike and Molley into the Discount Code box during checkout, for free shipping off any order on the website.  

Connect and Learn More About Lake Lady Apparel:

Website:          https://www.lakegirl.com/

Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/lakegirlclothing/

Pinterest:         https://www.pinterest.com/lakegirlinc/

Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/lakegirl_inc/          

That’s a wrap for this episode.  We’d like to thank our friend Missy Johnson

for guest hosting with us.  We hope you found it helpful, insightful and maybe a little entertaining. 

Thanks for Listening!

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider sharing it with your social media friends.  We hope to see you out there soon.  Until next time, here’s to warm weather and calm waters!

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