I’ve spent the majority of my working career in the apparel industry, handling supply chain logistics and sourcing for major brands across New England. After years behind the scenes, I realized a frustrating truth: you can’t convince people to buy American-made clothes if the price of a shirt is $300.

Right now, domestic manufacturing is treated like a luxury. My job at Bickford is to fix that. I use my background in sourcing to run a tight supply chain, track down the best materials, and cut out the massive markups. We want to make high-quality, American-made gear something you can actually afford to wear every day.

Fashion has always been a passion of mine from childhood. I learned garment construction from the ground up, sewing everything from formal dresses to custom pieces alongside my mother and grandmother. Because of that, I know exactly how a piece of clothing is supposed to be put together from the inside out.

At Bickford, I lead the design process. While Luke handles the logistics and materials, my job is to dial in the fit and the details. A heavy-duty shirt is great, but if the cut is wrong or it doesn't sit right on the shoulders, you aren't going to reach for it. I make sure our gear is tough enough for camp, but looks good enough to wear everywhere else.