Crafting Change: Crystalyn Kae's Journey to Sustainable Success

Company Profile

Crystalyn Kae has been a solo entrepreneur trailblazer for nearly two decades in manufacturing original, handcrafted bags and accessories from ethically sourced and reclaimed materials in the USA. Founded in Seattle in 2001 by Crystalyn Kae Brennan, the brand emerged as a response to the homogeneity of mass-produced fashion. Crystalyn Kae Bags and Accessories is one of the few companies globally that integrates upcycling into its design process, catering to the socially conscious and those passionate about creating unique stories.

Situation

Introduced by the Seattle Good Business Network in 2021, Impact Washington-NIST MEP collaborated with Crystalyn Kae to address critical growth challenges. Recognizing the need for support, Impact Washington's Small and Rural focused Account Executive, Miguel Moreno, initiated a comprehensive Business Self-Assessment review. Miguel laid out a roadmap of training and consulting opportunities against Crystalyn’s business goals and identified focus areas for improvement.

Capitalizing on Washington's Job Skills Program, a consortium effort with a fellow manufacturer enabled Crystalyn Kae to access funds for essential training. The collaboration with Seattle Colleges produced a 4-month tailored training plan focused on strategic planning, Lean manufacturing tools, supply chain training, and e-commerce/SEO training.

Solution

Embarking on a strategic planning journey guided by Impact Washington's expertise, Crystalyn envisioned and crafted a three-year plan with short-term goals, providing a clear direction for her organization.

Participation in Lean 101, an eight-hour seminar with live simulation, equipped Crystalyn with Lean principles, tools, and techniques and aligned her with an expert in continuous improvement adept at working intricately with small manufacturers like herself. This training included supply chain enhancement strategies, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.

In the Kaizen supply chain training, Crystalyn delved into enhancing the supply chain using Lean principles. The emphasis on standardization, measurable metrics, and growth strategies was complemented by collaboration with Impact Washington’s expert in this field, ensuring resilience and optimization without incurring significant cost increases.

The Lean & Toyota Kata training provided a deeper understanding of Toyota Kata principles, leveraging Lean manufacturing tools. Building upon her Lean 101 training, this consulting equipped Crystalyn with advanced problem-solving skills and helped her continue building upon her continuous improvement and operational efficiency learning.

A specialized E-Commerce and SEO training module empowered Crystalyn to optimize online visibility and provided her with tailored insights from a seasoned marketing expert. Despite budget constraints, her determination led her to identify effective tactics, as she collaborated with her trainer, who understood the challenges of growing a small business with minimal resources and dollars in the digital landscape.

In essence, Crystalyn's journey with Impact Washington wasn't just about gaining knowledge; it was about forging alliances with the right experts who could navigate the intricate needs of small businesses, ensuring her growth was strategic and sustainable.

Results

The right partnerships gave Crystalyn the motivation and encouragement to tackle challenges and opportunities head-on. As she gained more experience in marketing, continuous improvement, and strategic planning, Crystalyn became increasingly confident, approaching her business with a greater sense of purpose and creativity.

• Increased Sales: $25,000
• Retained/created job(s): 2
• Invested $6,000 into new products, new equipment, and systems.
• Cost Savings: $10,000