Conversations with Katharine Stroble

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katharine Stroble.

Katharine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I gave birth to my first and only little girl in 2019. She barely had any hair the first year, but it had always been a dream of mine to have a little girl and put pigtails with bows in her hair. Once her hair was long enough, I didn’t hesitate to add a bow every chance I got.

After purchasing so many different brands and testing out the quality of bows from amazon to Bloomingdale’s, I decided to take things into my own hands- literally. I am a firm believer in trusting the process- and with that said, it started off pretty rocky. For lack of a better word. But I started to improve, and 2 months later, I started getting orders from a few mom friends. I had no intention of starting a business or selling anything for profit.

I simply wanted my daughter to have the best quality, exclusive bows that no one else had. That is how Nori Blue & Co. Was born. Named after my daughter, made me by hand with the highest quality products. I have learned that the only way to be successful is to not be afraid to fail.

I wake up every day feeling blessed, knowing that regardless of how the day goes & how things unfold. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Trusting every single second of the process.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I made my very first bow using ribbon from the Craft Store Michael’s.

It’s so funny to think back on it now. I was using a hot glue gun, overpriced ribbon & scissors I “borrowed” from my 8-year-old nephew. I still have some of those bows from the beginning. I can’t believe how far I’ve come in less than a year.

The pieces I was producing weren’t terrible, but I wasn’t sure how to price my product. I was paying so much just to make 2 or 3 bows. I was nowhere near breaking even, let alone profit.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I started Nori Blu & Co. On a whim. I never had any intentions of turning it into a business. By trade, I was a celebrity makeup artist in Los Angeles. I lost my older sister suddenly in 2018 & decided to move back home to Phoenix to be with my family. Shortly after losing my sister, I found out I was pregnant.

There is no doubt in my mind that my daughter was sent by my sister in heaven to be my earth angel. Creating a brand with her at the center of it is a dream come true. Makeup no longer full-filled me after losing my sister, although I had faith that God was guiding me on the right path. Now that I am here, I have been building this luxury brand of headwear for children through craftsmanship, the brand experience/identity & the quality of the materials.

The pieces I create are always 1 of 5 or less. Everything is limited edition! My pieces are meant to be passed down to the next generation. They’re meant to be the perfect final touch. Nori Blu & Co. Is not just for little girls, we also offer 2 different style hats, bow ties for boys and girls, detachable collars & more! I am proud to say that I’ve overcome hardships and I have never folded.

I am proud of the work I’ve put in – I’m proud of the little human I’ve raised who watches her mommy work hard every day. I don’t plan to ever mass-produce Nori Blu & Co. As I scale my company, I will continue to make my own rules. I’m not one to conform to societal norms on how things are supposed to be done.

My company will never be like any other because we will always be handcrafted, innovative, progressive, sustainable & of the highest quality.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Although Nori Blu & Co. is just 6 months old – new items are added bi-weekly to our website. What started out as just hair bows have now expanded into so much more. Nori Blu & Co. I cannot wait for you to see it!

Contact Info:

• Email: Support@noribluandco.com
• Website: NoriBluandco.com
• Instagram: @Noribluandco
• Facebook: facebook.com/NoriBluAndCo