Scrappy clothing company thrives

Costco cover girl uses waste products to make accessories

By Cliff Newell

Pamplin Media Group, Dec 10, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

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• Plastic — Ever wonder what happens to all of those plastic water bottles? Many go into landfills. But with Naturally Knotty, Fullman takes them and uses their polyethylene terephthalate (also known as PET) to make fleece, polyester, nylons and other “super-strong” materials for her products.

Naturally Knotty is growing swiftly, as Fullman has scored deals to sell her products at Costco and Target. A year and a half ago, her products were sold in 30 boutiques. Now she is something of a tycoon, and the realization leaves her a little stunned.

“People ask me, ‘How did you do it?’” Fullman says. “If I stood back and looked at it I would probably collapse! I’m so busy.

“The key has been making relationships with people you trust and like. When the hard times come, it’s a lot easier to get through to them.”

A big reason for Fullman’s rise has been her Lake Oswego friend and neighbor, Chris Brien of Peak Marketing, who helped Fullman land her biggest account at Costco.

“Jasmine is an amazing person,” Brien says. “She’s got a great message with what she is trying to do. It’s all about empowering local people and women as well. In a very short time she has had remarkable success.”

Costco was so impressed with Naturally Knotty that it put Fullman’s photo on the cover of 20 million mailers. She then started having the flattering experience of being recognized on the street.

“After the mailer came out, I would be walking down the street and people would stop and say, ‘Oh, you’re her!’ ” Fullman says.

Even better than achieving mailer fame was the fact that demand for Naturally Knotty products was so strong, Costco doubled the orders after the first day. All of her products were sold five days before the end of the sale.

Can Fullman sustain her success? It helps that she uses sustainable methods so strongly in her business. On her horizon is expansion to Australia, Canada and Northern Europe.

Just look for the bamboo package.

For more information about Naturally Knotty Designs, go to www.naturallyknotty.com.

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