Sami Baldridge, Series Six Company (Interview 17/100)

Sami Baldridge, Owner of Series Six, is another founder of a St. Louis based apparel company (shout out to Jeff & Randy Vines of Interview #15/100) that is so much more than just a t-shirt company. Series Six has become a staple in the St. Louis, Missouri community and part of that is because they’re once again leveraging the love for the city. And the city loves them back for it. Sami sits down to talk to us about what it’s been like to start and build her brand. She also gives some practical advice for other entrepreneurs looking to build in a community give back initiative into their plan the way Series Six does with their local zoo, museums, nonprofits, children’s hospitals, and restaurants. 

For Sami, it might be that growing up in a sports family helped give her the mentality needed to grow her business. She talks about prioritizing valuing employees (much like you would teammates and fans), having a strong work ethic, and a “scrappy mentality” (are you picking up on the theme of St. Louis yet??). She also places a strong emphasis on quality. When I ask her about the future of companies like hers with the dawn of AI entering the creative world, she seems mostly unfazed knowing that the creativity and quality of their products is largely untouchable by AI. 

While we often focus Capitalism for Good on businesses that support their communities, it’s important to point out that Sami’s community also supported her all along the way. Her entrepreneur grandfather saw the potential in her at an early age and encouraged her to pursue business education. Her parents were supportive of her goals. And her hard work and talent was quickly recognized and respected by the public like when a fellow St. Louisans named Barb (shout out Barb!!) stopped her to say she loved her self-designed shirt and wanted to know where she got it. Barb is still a big supporter and the support throughout the community has only grown since that day they first met.

Once again, let’s hear it for people supporting people, businesses supporting businesses, women supporting women, and community supporting community. Love to see it.  

Shout out to: 

• Olive & Oak
• Katie’s Pizza & Pasta

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