Smathers and Branson
Smathers and BransonÂ
Smathers and Branson is a needlepoint accessory company based out of Bethesda, Maryland.Â
The company started in 2004 while Austin Branson and Peter Smathers Carter were seniors at Bowdoin College.
Both received hand-stitched needlepoint belts from their girlfriends, receiving compliments from fellow students when they wore them.
They pitched a dual-independent study in art and economics, to investigate launching a belt company of their own. As Carter and Branson put together a business plan and learned how to design, their company began coming together. They wanted to find a way to mass-produce hand-stitched needlepoint belts.
Knowing they needed to lower the price point, Carter and Branson traveled to Vietnam after their graduation in 2004. They eventually joined forces with a manufacturer and one-on-one taught 50 workers throughout several villages how to needlepoint.
Upon returning to the United States and their basement room in Branson's parents' house, Branson took out a $10,000 loan from his father to get the company going.
Today, Branson and Carter own and operate Smathers & Branson, which manufactures and sells needlepoint belts, key fobs, and wallets, among other products.
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- Smathers & Branson Syracuse Key Fob - Dark Navy $ 32.50
- Smathers & Branson Flamingo Bottle Opener - Light Blue $ 32.50
- Smathers & Branson Crossed Clubs Bottle Opener - Classic Navy $ 32.50
- Smathers & Branson Rainbow Trout Can Cooler - Dark Navy Out of stock
- Smathers & Branson Bonefish Flats Can Cooler $ 35.00
- Smathers & Branson Grateful Dead Moondance Can Cooler $ 35.00
- Smathers & Branson Crossed Clubs Can Cooler -Classic Navy $ 35.00
- Smathers & Branson Redfish Can Cooler - Dark Navy $ 35.00
- Smathers & Branson Wood Duck Decoy Bottle Opener - Antique Blue $ 32.50
- Smathers & Branson New York Yankees Needlepoint Card Wallet $ 65.00
- Smathers & Branson Boston Red Sox Needlepoint Bottle Opener $ 32.50
- Smathers & Branson Scratch Golf Needlepoint Luggage Tag - Heathered Black $ 42.50
- Smathers & Branson Crossed Hockey Sticks Nantucket Red Needlepoint Hat $ 45.00
- Smathers & Branson Pickleball Needlepoint Key Fob - Classic Navy $ 32.50
- Smathers & Branson Fox Needlepoint Key Fob - Dark Forest $ 32.50
- Smathers & Branson Beer Cans Needlepoint Can Cooler $ 35.00
- Smathers & Branson Black Lab Walking Needlepoint Card Wallet - Classic Navy $ 65.00
- Smathers & Branson Lacrosse Sticks Needlepoint Card Wallet - Navy Out of stock