New Maker of the Year: Why this mom’s side hustle for the girly girls couldn’t stay at home

A hobbyist venture that began with making shirts for her kids has earned Julie Swopes a spot on Made in KC’s shelves for her Chiefs- and Royals-inspired tees — along with one of the local-first retailer’s top honors: KC New Maker of the Year for 2025.

KC Baseball Icon Tee by Jules Co.

“I’m just a stay-at-home mom that has turned her hobby into a business. So it feels really good,” explained Jules Co. founder Swopes, who said she didn’t plan to become an entrepreneur when she got a Cricut machine for Christmas more than five years ago.

“It’s a good accomplishment to show my husband and kids that my hard work is paying off,” she continued.

Now in its second year, the Made In KC awards also honored Wildside Pretzels and KC Handmade Goods as second and third place, respectively, in the new maker category. The Best New Product award is expected to be announced later this week.

Click here to learn more about the 2024 Made in KC award winners.

 

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“Every year we receive hundreds of new product and maker submissions through Made in KC, which is great,” said Keith Bradley, co-owner of Made In KC. “Unfortunately, however, we have to say ‘no’ a lot more than we say ‘yes.’ This is largely due to limited shelf space in our stores or the maker not being ready to scale up. But for the ones that we say ‘yes’ to, take a chance, and have success with our customers, we want to celebrate and support, especially during the holiday shopping season.”

Julie Swopes, Jules Co.; courtesy photo

After first launching in 2019, Swopes began selling her Jules Co. apparel wholesale last year — after she outgrew her basement and moved into a warehouse space, she noted. Then she received an order from Made In KC.

“I was very surprised,” Swopes recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. I know who they are, and they’re a big part of Kansas City.’ So it felt really good to see that come through, and it’s been good working with them ever since.”

Bradley said the awards are part of Made In KC’s mission to inspire local talent.

“We feel that providing this public recognition, in addition to stocking and selling their product in our stores, helps that cause,” he continued. “It’s not easy to start and run a business, no matter the size or industry, but Kansas City is such a wonderful community when it comes to supporting local and we hope that Kansas City rallies around these makers and products in the same way that we have.”

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At Made In KC, shoppers can find pieces from the Jules Co. Game Day Collection with the KC Matchbook Tee, the Kansas City x 1960 Football Tee, the KC Baseball Icon Tee, and the 1969 Kansas City Baseball Tee.

“Seeing some of Kansas City wear my shirts and seeing it in stores all around feels really good,” Swopes added.

Beyond her Game Day Collection, Swopes’ Holiday and Motherhood Collections — which can be found on her website — are also popular, she said, noting she loves creating fun, graphic T-shirts with bright colors.

“As a whole, Jules Co. is very tailored to the girly girls,” Swopes explained. “Yes, I do a lot of KC stuff, obviously, with the Chiefs. But I’m very seasonal- and mom-tailored. Just anything a girl loves, that’s what I’ll make my shirts around.”

Wildside Pretzels – Bianca Aaron

Wildside has fun flavors ranging from campfire cocoa to white cheddar.

KC Handmade Goods – Aidan Hall

Hall started his local business when he was 12 years old making duct tape wallets. Now at 21, he’s scaled his side gig into a shirt business, celebrating Kansas City through apparel.

Aidan Hall, KC Handmade Goods; courtesy photo

“It feels great to be recognized by Made in KC,” he said. “”It has been so exciting to see the ways I’ve been able to scale my business through partnerships with retailers across the metro, and especially Made in KC. I’ve always wanted to work with them and see my products in their stores, so this has been an exciting experience.”

“It’s been especially rewarding to see how I’ve taken my business from selling duct tape wallets in the Lenexa Public Market eight years ago to selling apparel in iconic KC locations, such as The Plaza and Union Station,” he added.

It’s been a privilege to work with Made In KC and be honored as one of its top new makers, Hall continued.

“They do so much for the small business community and local economy in Kansas City and surrounding suburbs,” he explained. “It still never gets old to see others wearing and enjoying my apparel.”

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