Don't Be Afraid to Take the Leap: Kristin's Guatemala Story
How a longtime dream, a creative collaboration, and a trip to Guatemala are opening a new chapter for KMM Collective.
Kristin exploring vintage textiles at a market in Guatemala.
There are moments in building a business when you realize something you've dreamed about for years is actually happening.
For W4W member Kristin of KMM Collective, one of those moments came during a recent trip to Guatemala.
Kristin has long admired the country's beautiful textiles and craftsmanship. But this trip was about much more than inspiration or finding beautiful fabrics. She was there to take an important step forward in her business: producing her own clothing designs in Guatemala.
And that, she says, is a dream she's had for years.
When Relationships Open Doors
Kristin's newest collection is a collaboration with Wayil, a Guatemalan textile boutique known for its woven home accessories and clothing.
She's known the owner for years, and what began as an appreciation for Wayil's textiles has grown into a creative partnership.
The new collection will feature Kristin's own designs made from Wayil's beautiful, high-quality woven cotton, with fabrics produced specifically for her garments.
During her visit, Kristin tried on and approved samples, toured the factory where the clothing is being made, and met the man overseeing production.
A behind-the-scenes look at the production process bringing Kristin's designs to life.
She was surprised by how young he was and delighted by his willingness to welcome her into the factory and show her the range of work being produced there.
But what comes through most clearly when Kristin talks about the experience is her affection for the people.
She's developed a close working relationship with Wayil's owner and operations manager, whom she describes as “beautiful inside and out.”
It's a reminder that some of the best business opportunities grow from relationships built over time.
An Unexpected Treasure Trove
Of course, no creative adventure would be complete without a discovery or two.
Discovering unexpected possibilities in Guatemala's textile markets.
For Kristin, the biggest surprise was a textile market filled with stacks upon stacks of vintage Guatemalan fabrics.
Imagine the colors, patterns, textures, and possibilities!
She returned home with fresh inspiration and is already eager to begin sewing her own skirt designs using some of the textiles she discovered.
While her new collaboration with Wayil moves toward production, these vintage finds are opening another creative avenue.
Sometimes the most exciting part of a business trip is what you didn't know you were going to find.
A Dream Becoming Reality
Kristin and her husband, Duncan, enjoying a memorable moment during their trip to Guatemala.
Kristin hopes to introduce her new collection within the next couple of months.
The fabrics are being woven specifically for her designs, and the collaboration represents something particularly meaningful: the opportunity to create her clothing in a country whose textiles and traditions have inspired her for years.
She loved the beauty of Guatemala, as she always does. But this time, she returned with something more.
A longtime dream was becoming a reality.
What Would You Try If You Weren't Afraid?
We asked Kristin what advice she would give another woman entrepreneur considering a big step in her business.
Her answer was simple:
“Do not be afraid to take the leap.”
Kristin admits that when she began expanding her business, she worried that working with new manufacturers would be too expensive or that different fabrics and production processes might be beyond her reach.
But she discovered something very different.
The opportunities were there. The partnerships were possible. And the things she'd imagined might be obstacles weren't necessarily obstacles at all.
Today, she says, her business is thriving.
There's a lesson here for all of us.
How often do we decide something is too expensive, too complicated, or too far beyond our experience before we've even explored the possibility?
Sometimes the next step in growing a business isn't having all the answers.
Sometimes it's making the call, having the conversation, visiting the factory—or simply being willing to find out what's possible.
And sometimes, that one step leads somewhere you've dreamed of going for years.
We're excited to see what's next for Kristin and KMM Collective!
Explore Kristin's designs and follow along as she prepares to introduce her newest collection.
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