When Pink Pump closed its doors in late 2014, opportunity presented itself for Metro Detroit couple Kelly and Vincent Kirkwood. The couple bought the intellectual property rights to the store and haven't looked back since. To find out more about the revamped store, read our interview to find out why they decided to buy it, what they're doing now, and much more!
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| Image from pinkpump.com |
DGG: Tell us about
yourselves, Kelly & Vincent.
Kelly Kirkwood: I am a brilliant,
go-getting woman who is creating a legacy with and for my family. I attended
Mercy – an all-girls Catholic high school. My high school journey solidified me
wanting to be a woman who makes a difference but also makes major strides in
empowering women. I have an educational
and service background - from leading Summer Peace Camps at the Capuchin Soup
Kitchen to leading an elementary school. My career choices have instilled a
since of self-actualization and eagerness to create and control my own career
path.
I enjoy
dressing up and hitting the town with my girlfriends – sisterhood time is
important to me. I have been married for 4 amazing years and enjoy dating my
husband. We have a beautiful and joyful 18-month-old little girl.
Vincent Kirkwood: I am a stylish,
educated, goal oriented young man that will not accept no for an answer. I
attended Berkley High School here in Michigan and continued my education at
Wayne State University, ultimately graduating with a Masters in Sports
Administration. My background includes a career in sports and marketing. I
currently teach Sports Marketing at Wayne State University while also working
in marketing, creating memorable marketing campaigns and activations for
clients across the country and Canada. To me, there is nothing more important
than family. My wife Kelly, and daughter, Harper Rose, are the joys of my life.
Aside from that, I enjoy fashion and observing others that enjoy fashion and
make it a part of their lifestyle! My life experiences have allowed the
opportunity to view fashion and style from all types of perspectives from NY
runways to the storefront churches in Detroit’s eastside communities. Both are
equally as important as it forces you to understand balance and variances in
both fashion and in lifestyle!
DGG: Tell us about
Pink Pump. (When, how and why you became the new owners, what inspired you to
takeover, how you're going to keep Pink Pump the same or change it up a bit,
etc.)
K &
V: Vincent and
I have always yearned for entrepreneurship and creating an impactful brand. We
had countless meetings with each other, family, mentors and close friends about
my desires to open our own business. Our thoughts and countless conversations
become our reality. The conversations turned into an opportunity to purchase
the intellectual property rights for PINK PUMP. Kelly was inspired by the
previous owner and her success story and the positive impact she had in the
local community. Timing was everything! We believed in the brand and the brand
aligned with who we are as people. We knew that I could grow the brand and take
the brand to the next level and beyond. I will have many businesses; PINK PUMP
is the stepping-stone to many more businesses that will make a difference. We
have changed PINK PUMP up a bit. We have more of an emphasis on the shopping
dynamic between mother and daughter. We introduced a children’s line of shoes
as well.
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| Image from Pink Pump |
DGG: Who is the Pink
Pump girl and guy?
K: The right shoes can change
a woman’s walk, poise and confidence. PINK PUMP inspires women by making them
feel confident and beautiful. We take pride and time in selecting brands,
styles and quality pieces that women will be proud, excited and confident to
wear. The PINK PUMP girl is the woman who wants to express herself through
style. She’s the girl who enters a room and everyone gravitates to and wants to
know who she is. PINK PUMP also empowers women by helping them find and explore
their individual style. PINK PUMP customers become PINK PUMP family members.
The store space was meticulously and thoughtfully designed for women to feel
pretty, feminine, bold and edgy. PINK PUMP offers the opportunity for our
customers to be able to utilize the space to host women empowerment events and
share the space for some of their most personal and special occasions at PINK
PUMP (bridal showers, baby showers, girls night out/in and many more). The PINK
PUMP girl is all of the above!
V: What Kelly and I
have been able to do with Pink Pump is something special. As I continuously
work on the marketing and business side of Pink Pump, I take notice of how
Kelly’s passion for this particular business venture is driven by inspiring
women in fashion, business, and life. As the Pink Pump guy, I continue to
support Kelly’s willingness to empower others. In
addition, I hope to use Pink Pump as a platform for other fashion and business
ventures that explore style specifically here in the Metro Detroit area. My
goal is to pull together the styles and culture I have experienced in my travels
and continuously bring it right home to Metro Detroit. Is that in the form of a
men’s store? Only time will tell…
DGG: What has been
the biggest hurdle you have overcome in this Pink Pump venture, and how did you
overcome it?
K: A major challenge of start-up
businesses is the unknown. Although we conducted extensive market research we
still did not know the complete picture until the doors opened, until actual
customers were buying our products. Pink Pump is nestled in a quaint
neighborhood community. However, with Pink Pump having several locations, we
also get many destination shoppers; the differences of these shoppers are
diverse. Our buying process is very intentional to appease everyone.
V: One piece of
advice I can offer. Do not go into business with your significant other unless
you really, really, really, really, love them! Fortunately enough for me, Kelly
and I are madly in love. I
come from a career in managing several people at any given time, as well as
major events throughout the country. My management style can be one of a micro
manager (so I have been told). When working in a joint venture, sometimes I
have to pull myself out and learn to trust others, whether it’s Kelly, our
staff, our PR team, graphic designer or website guy. I can not do it all, and I
don’t have to because the all-star team Kelly and I have been able to build
over the last couple months. It’s not perfect, but it’s getting there.
DGG: What are three
pieces of advice you would give some one who wants to open a store?
K: It’s time to go for it.
Start NOW! Change your thoughts from “I wish”, “I hope”, “one day”, “maybe”,
“not right now”, to simply, “I WILL.” Change your habits, wake up earlier, read
more often and take steps to develop a plan. Keep a journal – write down all of
your ideas and plans. Be reflective on the plans and perfect them. Get a mentor
in your desire field and pick their brain and emulate their work habits.
Woops, that was more that three…we couldn’t stop!
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| Image from Pink Pump |
DGG: If you could
dress anyone in items from Pink Pump, who would it be and why?
K: If I could dress
anyone, it would be Beyoncé. She has such a versatile style. I would love to
give her some edge.
V: What people
don’t know is that Pink Pump has exclusive men’s pieces that I can only show.
Those who are styled by me have access. If I could style anyone, it would be
Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder. You can see he has style, but
he needs me to step in and manage it.
DGG: Describe your
style.
K: Sophisticated with flair of
glamour. I love simple, well-tailored silhouettes. I enjoyed layering bold
rings, faux furs, and daring heels with everything. I try to push myself to
expand beyond black. I love black! I feel powerful and confident in black. My
style is always evolving. I enjoy changing my look quite frequently.
V: I
like Kanye West’s style. It is very daring, non-typical, and comfortable while
remaining stylish. Comfortability is important. In the workplace I enjoy
tailored fit chinos with an oversize sweater. A friend once told me, “if you
stay ready, you won’t ever have to get ready.” I use that in style, especially
residing here in Michigan with the seasonal changes makes dressing in layers
the way to go. You may catch me in a button down under a sweater, with a denim
jacket over that, and then a blazer over that. It sounds like a lot, but I wear
it well. I’m having fun and staying ready!
DGG: How do you take
your coffee?
K: Dark roast topped
with steamed soy. YUM.
V: I
like my coffee like I like my wife, dark, hot, with a touch of sweetness.
DGG: Casual shoes or
dress shoes?
K: Dress shoes
everyday all day, honey.
V: Gym shoes as
long as they are Yeezy’s.
DGG: H&M or Zara?
K: ZARA! Anytime I’m in a city that has a Zara
– it’s a must to pick up a few funky pieces.
V: In the past it
has been Zara but H&M has been stepping their game up lately. It’s a toss
up.
