The Story of Us

September 13, 2023

Our friendship began when we were 14, and we quickly bonded over all the things, including tortillas and queso. As high school friends, we often shared clothes, shoes, and accessories, raiding each other's closets to create new outfits. (Yes, we loved ALL the Y2K trendz.) When we became moms, our shared passion for fashion evolved into a desire to create a more sustainable future for our children. 

Nicole discovered the world of ethical and sustainable fashion after college. She became passionate about the environmental impacts of fast fashion and the humanitarian issues it creates, including forced labor and unethical working conditions. When Nicole expressed concerns about fast fashion, Kara was ready to make the conscious consumer decision easy for busy moms. It was time to start a new business together, and Hand Me Up was born - a sustainable fashion marketplace focused on children’s clothing.

We started this business in Kara’s garage. If you’ve seen one of our favorite laundry videos, we handle all the business steps, from purchasing to washing, packaging, branding, and social media - we do it all. We work on our business part-time, so we can prioritize our kids. It ends up in some wild logistical days, but hey, we’re moms; we got this. 

Our business has been featured in great places, like The New York Times and The Washington Post. As our business has grown, our impact has reached beyond sustainable fashion. We have inspired a community of moms to explore conscious consumption and use their purchasing power to make a difference in the world. 

For us, Hand Me Up is more than just a business. It's a way for us to positively impact the world and create a better future for our children. We believe that moms can change the world and positively impact the environment.

THE END. (Or maybe just the beginning?)

Come join us! If you’re new to the party, use code WELCOME5 for $5 off your first bag. We would also love to hear about your journey, send us a DM or an e-mail!