Handmade Style
Shortly after being married, Rebekah Scott ’04 was trying to figure out what to do for Christmas gifts. Having sewn most of her life, she received a sewing machine as a gift after graduating from South Dakota State and decided to put the gift to good use.
She made a few purses, continuing her streak of creating handmade items. In fourth grade, Scott made products she sold during recess. Despite pursuing a degree from the Department of Communication Studies and Theatre, Scott always had an entrepreneurial spirit.
“When others were playing kickball, I was selling joker hats on the playground,†said Scott, who grew up in Philip but now lives near Valley Springs. “I’ve been sewing and selling since I can remember.â€
Little did she know then that entrepreneurial drive would evolve into Rebekah Scott Designs, a federally trademarked direct sales brand, which makes handmade purses using a team of nearly 20 women throughout South Dakota. The company ships 30 to 40 purses to customers each week.
Scott doesn’t just sit at the sewing machine hoping for an order. She has a podcast and wrote a book, “Equipped to Execute: Guiding Moms to Joyfully Impact Family and Business.†But that’s not all.
With a sign stating “I will be the nation’s largest custom handmade business†above a desk bought from an SDSU surplus sale, Scott has a five-year plan to move the business into new markets as well as a new barn studio, which will create a new boutique space, production area and host retreats. She also plans to write another book.
“Our products are always going to be made in the USA. I want to take it beyond the Midwest. We do really well in the five surrounding states but I’d like to reach 10 new markets,†Scott said. “Make your key decisions and then discover your super skill—something you were doing at 4. Mine was sewing. Your super skill is what you could do nonstop without realizing six hours has just passed. It should energize you, not exhaust you.
