Press

The Sassy Olive: Landria Johnson

Despite thinking, when she was younger, that she would never end up staying in her hometown of Allegan, Michigan, Landria Johnson now runs her very popular headband company, The Sassy Olive, from her hometown. They’re located downtown in a 12,000 sq foot historic building she owns, and where she now employs 22 additional people. In this episode, Landria talks about the challenges of starting a business without credit, self-teaching herself skills prior to the days where a tutorial on nearly anything can be found on the internet, pivoting during COVID, the pros and cons of life on social media, and what it means to “ruffle feathers” in a good way.

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Life Hacks with Honor Credit Union

30,000 masks and counting: Allegan shop owner donating masks to healthcare workers

"I have a background in public health, specifically in hospital epidemiology, this had been a weird crossover for me, with my business and my degree," explained Christman. "I decided to just launch a 'Sassy Stops the Spread' Initiative on our website...it made sense because it was something that people needed- and at that time it was healthcare and essential workers that needed it. And I had the ability and resources to make them."

Fox 17 News (2020, May 29). 30,000 masks and counting. Fox17online.com. https://www.fox17online.com/news/pay-it-forward/30-000-masks-and-counting-allegan-shop-owner-donating-masks-to-healthcare-workers

Allegan business sewing more than 200 masks a day to donate to healthcare workers

A West Michigan boutique that specializes in custom headwear is donating homemade masks for medical workers amid a statewide shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I've been a fabric hoarder for many years," said Landria Christman, owner of the Sassy Olive in Allegan. "This just gives me an excuse to go out and get some more cotton and put it to a good cause."

13 on your Side (2020, March 23). Allegan business sewing more than 200 masks a day. Wzzm13.com. https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/allegan-business-donating-homemade-masks-to-healthcare-workers-fighting-covid-19/69-c190c052-76ab-4ccc-8b60-5172f67f2ff9

Feel Good Friday: The Sassy Olive

Landria Christman from The Sassy Olive in Allegan is making a difference in the community of Allegan by pivoting her hairband business into a volunteer-based free face mask campaign. Watch the video to hear how you can support her and get a mask you may need!

Review West Michigan (2020, March 17). Feel Good Friday: The Sassy Olive. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/REVUEWM/videos/269582974067282

Community Development: Under the Radar

"Craft Manufacturing" ordinance hopes to transform downtown Allegan

A new "Craft Manufacturing" ordinance passed on Monday by the Allegan City Council allows for light manufacturing in two Allegan commercial districts, including downtown. Christman is about to celebrate the Sassy Olive’s fourth birthday. They’re marking the occasion, and their incredible growth, by moving into a new and much larger storefront in downtown Allegan. Handling all production phases in-house enables Christman to easily produce her ever-changing inventory.

News Channel 3 (2018, August 15). "Craft Manufacturing" ordinance hopes to transform downtown Allegan. WWMT.com. https://wwmt.com/news/local/craft-manufacturing-ordinance-hopes-to-transform-downtown-allegan

Be your sassy self at The Sassy Olive

The city of Allegan is growing, and so are many of their businesses. One business in particular started with a young girl sewing in her parent’s basement and has evolved into a half-million dollar company. We’re excited to take you to The Sassy Olive, where fun fashion meets quirky Boho. Take a look. The Sassy Olive is quickly growing in popularity. In fact for most of their fabrics, once they’re gone they don’t ever come back. They currently have 10 full time staff members, and plan to hire more as they expand. They’re also heavily involved in community, and give back in many ways. Their new location is currently under renovation, however they’re planning their big grand re-opening later this fall. You can find all the latest news, and check out what the Sassy Olive is up to by following their Facebook Page. The Sassy Olive is located on Locust Street in Allegan.

Eight West (2018, August 30). Be your sassy self at The Sassy Olive. Woodtv.com. https://www.woodtv.com/eightwest/be-your-sassy-self-at-the-sassy-olive/

Road Trippin': The Sassy Olive in Allegan

From $42 worth of fabric comes a half-million-dollar business. Landria Christman started while in college, using some fabric and a sewing machine to create headbands she liked; soon, friends and family wanted one too. Now, she operates in a small shop on Locust Street in Allegan, Michigan. But business is booming, so The Sassy Olive is expanding into a new building. Along with that expansion comes a goal, becoming not just a little shop but a destination.

News Channel 3 (2018, March 25). Road Trippin': The Sassy Olive in Allegan. WWMT.com. https://wwmt.com/features/road-trippin/road-trippin-the-sassy-olive-in-allegan

Sassy Olive Opens in Downtown Allegan

The Sassy Olive began, quite by accident, when Landria’s grandmother taught her how to sew headbands. Requests from friends and co-workers turned into sales via an online Etsy shop and weekends spent at artisan markets resulting in more than 50,000 Sassy Olive products being sold to date. To her great credit, Christman was able to pay her Masters Degree in Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology from the University of Michigan; tuition, room, board, car payment – the whole shebang. Of her decision to pursue The Sassy Olive full time, having just completed her Master’s work, Christman said, “Things are going too well right now” not to see where it leads.

Allegan Chamber of Commerce (2017, August 15). Sassy Olive Opens in Downtown Allegan. AlleganChamber.com. https://alleganchamber.com/sassy-olive-opens-downtown-allegan/