“He said to them ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’” – Mark 16:15.
The quote above from the Bible was the inspiration for freshman Kimberly Starkovich’s newly started clothing line, Saved & Styled. By the word of God, Starkovich designs clothes to spread the scripture to those around her.
March 26 was her first official drop of her spring collection, which consists of four t-shirts, one hoodie and a crewneck. Since January, Starkovich has been diligently working and designing something that reflects her individuality as well as sharing the message of God.
“I love talking about Jesus personally,” Starkovich said. “And there’s times when I’m walking around and I’m like, ‘oh, I wish I could talk to them about Jesus or them about Jesus.’ Like, I just want to say something.”
Starkovich is passionate about her beliefs and tries to start conversations about it with others all the time. But as it can be with any conversation, she said she often struggles finding the right words to spark one with a stranger. Starting her own clothing line was her way of accomplishing that.
“When you don’t have the words to speak, the clothing can speak for you,” Starkovich said.
Giving an incentive to start a conversation with someone about what they are wearing or even what she is wearing, she finds pathways to speaking to others about what she loves.
“There’s a part of her in her designs,” freshman Natalie Boozikee said. “Like in one of her recent designs, there’s a truck, and she loves trucks.”
Previously, Starkovich had attempted to design and sell her clothes in seventh grade, but lost motivation and discontinued selling her products. Even after investing more than $400, she said she felt that with her lack of resources and knowledge, she couldn’t continue.
“I just felt like it wasn’t my thing, and I didn’t have the right intentions with it,” Starkovich said.
With renewed effort, Starkovich is now coming back more prepared and extraordinarily driven. Since her last attempt, she has expanded her horizons by seeking help and engaging in conversations with experienced entrepreneurs. Extensive research was a huge step in her journey, and she continues to learn new things to positively improve her business.
“It was very much a trial and error process,” Starkovich said.
Starkovich relies heavily on her advertisements on social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and, most importantly, Snapchat. Creating and designing her website has also helped increase the foot traffic and has aided in helping her market her clothes beyond the reach of her social media.
“ She’s a very good friend and she’s very Catholic, which, I mean, Catholic friends are always great because they’re always there for you,” freshman Ryan Sims said.
Starkovich said she sees her business as being an advocate for God. She truly believes that money is not an issue and is letting her personality shine through with her designs.
“Even though there’s days when I first started releasing stuff, where I’m like, is this really even worth it? Am I losing money?” Starkovich said. “But then I’m like, well, that’s also not the point. I don’t really care. I’m 15.”
While several teenagers and young adults have attempted to launch clothing brands, Starkovich’s choice to design her products around her favorite bible quote sets her apart. In addition to this, she feels that her purpose is to encourage others to know God.
“I just think (Mark 16:15) really represents the base of the whole brand,” Starkovich said. “Just writing the gospel and God making his appeal through us and us being ambassadors for Christ and being billboards everywhere we go.”
