News & Press

Every once in a while, a person comes across a career that seems destined - as if prior experiences were leading up to this one thing. Such is the case with Rebekah Scott of Valley Springs, South Dakota. Since she was four years old, Rebekah has always enjoyed sewing. As a young girl, "I had my purple plastic sewing machine that I got from my mom and I would sew right next to her making Barbie clothes," Rebekah says.

Majoring in communications at South Dakota State University in Brookings, Rebekah spent her first years after college in radio. After marrying Nicholas Scott in 2003, the couple spent a few years as "poor newlyweds." Rebekah explains, "That Christmas, I really didn't know what we were going to give. So I sewed purses for the women's gifts and then I started getting orders on my answering machine from their friends."

At first, Rebekah would come home from a full day at work and then sew purses until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning to keep up with demand. "It got out of control! My husband said I needed to choose one or the other - and I said, if you're saying I can pick - sayonara radio!"

Rebekah established Rebekah Scott Designs in 2003. She designs and sews handbags with creative names like Emma, Jocelyn and Pretty Lauren. Other than her website, www.shoprsd.com, Rebekah sells her designs wholesale, retail and at trunk shows. "Ninety percent of my business is trunk shows in people's homes," she says, "I go to their home and display all my bags. They can buy them there or they can design their own which is usually what they like to do because they can say, 'I want this fabric in this style because no one else will have it.'"

The best thing about Rebekah's handbags is that she offers unique items that can be personalized. Rebekah hand-picks the fabrics used in her designs. "I get much of it online and from remnant warehouses. I try to get things that people won't find on the bolt in your common retail shop." For inspiration, she turns to the top sewing magazines and real life experiences. Rebekah combines the new trend ideas with her own desires in a purse. "Right now, it's big and bulky. I've been doing big and bulky for two and a half years now. But, that's okay, because I knew I was ahead of it!"

Rebekah works out of a studio space in her home. "It's designed like my logo - black and cream and pink. So when I walk into it, it's not like walking into my house, I'm going to work and it feels refreshing," she says. Rebekah's two year old son keeps her company in the studio. "I call Augustus my little helper," Rebekah says. "It works perfect so we can play together and he entertains himself like you wouldn't believe. Since he was six weeks old, the sewing machine was running and he was in my arms or in the cradle."

Rebekah takes ownership of every part of her business. From the original creativity and networking to the financial situation. "I know where every penny is going," she says. Rebekah has specific and impressive goals for her home-based business. Within five years, she would like to go into direct sales. She would also like to hire more staff and focus on making the original designs. "And clothing - I'm slowly moving into some clothing items but that is a slower process because you have to stay so up on trends. I think I'll eventually hire seamstresses to do anything beyond the prototype."

Rebekah credits her husband and family for how well her business has done. "This would not be possible without their support because I work long, odd hours. Nicholas knows I'm in love with it but like anyone who starts a business, you don't make any money at it the first few years or longer. But, every step of the way, he's my biggest pat on the back, saying 'You can do it, everyone is cheering you on!'"

Faith also plays a big part in Rebekah's work. "There's no way possible that this would be done without God," she says. "He's geared me to this since I was little." Not sure of how purses are going to work into the entire scheme of things, Rebekah says, "I know every day that I love what I do, I'm not exhausted by it - I'm energized by it!" As if by providence, Rebekah has established the career that was meant for her.

Rebekah Scott Designs
48792 267th Street
Valley Springs, S.D. 57068
605.757.6655
info@shoprsd.com