Buffalo Boss Babe: Carrie Rinehart
For our one year anniversary this week we wanted to interview our very own Carrie Rinehart! She is the founder, heart, and sole of Buffalo Boss Babes which has empowered and united so many women here in Buffalo. Not only has Carrie created Buffalo Boss Babes but she has done it all while raising her three adopted children with her wife Amber and hand printing her Buffalo-inspired clothing and home goods for her company Rusterior. HOW DOES SHE DO IT ALL? Read her responses below to find out!
Photo BY Lovern Photography
What made you start or brought you to where you are today? Tell us your story and what makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe.
I started Rusterior with fifty dollars and a dream( literally). When I started my creative journey I made anything and everything I could get my hands on. I crafted and sewed and stamped my little heart out but had always been drawn to printing. I learned how to screen print at a small local studio and bought a few minor supplies, made myself a recycled tee shirt press out of an old church door. I was totally hooked on screen printing and have never looked back.
I started with a few designs and supplies and have grown my tiny dream into a full-blown company. I want to make functional cool clothes and goods you want to have in your life and home. A simplified life is something I strive for and I'm doing my best to become unbusy. I am so proud to hand print everything in my shop on that same press I started with. This shop is a piece of me that I get to share with the world.
I started Buffalo Boss Babes honestly on a whim. My own business was getting really hard and I went searching for support. I went to a ton of meetups and networking events but I never felt like I could vent and be myself about my business. I really wasn't finding what I was looking for so I started my own group. I started Buffalo Boss Babes with no real long-term goals and it started out with just an online presence. I quickly learned that other buffalo women were looking for a similar group and saw an outpouring support from other local boss babes. It quickly evolved into networking meetups and eventually the speaker series we do today/. The first year has been a total whirlwind and I can't wait for what the future holds for the whole group. It is honestly the most amazing supportive group of women I have ever met.
Photo by Lovern Photography
What does being a Buffalo Boss Babe mean to you?
It means empowering and supporting each other through it all! There were so many times I was defeated or wanted to give up and my boss babes group gave me the support to keep going and be a better businesswoman.
Who are your favorite people to follow?
Since I have an airstream I follow about 550 Airstream accounts hahah. Some of my favorites are @mavistheairstream @girlgoneglamping @steadystreamincashinos and so many more!!!
What are your favorite things to do in the area (Buffalo and greater WNY)?
We love doing everything outdoors. Kayaking, Hiking, and Camping in the summer months. We also love checking out all the new local restaurants. Our favorites are The Grange Community Kitchen,
Tell me about your favorite collaborations or a dream collaboration?
My favorite collaboration has been with fellow boss babes @buffalobarkery to help raise money for the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter. I have tons of dream collaborations that im hoping happens one day!!!
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be? Carole King for sure. I would also love to have a cup of coffee with my gram. She passed this year and I would give anything for one more cup <3
Photo by Lovern Photography
What are your hopes, dreams, goals? Big or Small.
It is a huge goal of mine to be self-employed! I have been working towards this goal for a long time and would LOVE to be able to be at a point where this is a reality for me!
Tell us about your family? I have always wanted a big family but never expected one so quickly. My wife Amber and I adopted three children two years ago and it was the best decision we ever made. They are the coolest, best kids anyone could ever ask for. Amber, my wife is my rock and the best partner in crime I could ever ask for.
The Rinehart Family by Lovern PHotography
Feel Good Five :)
Color: Green
Food: Pizza
Super Power: Multitasking
Animal: Dogs <3 My Fave!
Season of the year: Fall!
Favorite thing about Buffalo: The people
Thank you, Carrie, for your hard work and time, shining a light on the talented babes of Buffalo and empowering others to let their inner boss babe shine! You can keep up with Carrie’s beautiful family on Instagram @threeluckypennies and on Apple Podcasts “Three Lucky Pennies”. Visit the Rusterior website to check out her creative Buffalo goods http://rusterior.com/
Until Next time babes!
-Emmily!!!
Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog series featuring women in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y.
If you know someone doing amazing things for our community, past and present, young and old..... send us a message at buffalobossbabes@gmail.com
Be kind to everyone you meet.
Here's to strong women! May we know them. May we be them
