Dale Raine
What does your company do?
At Dale Raine we specialize in 100% cotton locally sourced and made embroidered apparel - each stitch telling a unique story. Our clothing is personal, inclusive and as comforting as a hug. We are more than just a brand; we are community-driven, proudly local and bring people together one piece at a time. Dale Raine was started after losing my brother, Dale, to cancer and wanting to create something in which his legacy could live on. The Raine part is after my wonderful mom, Lorraine.
What is your biggest success?
My biggest success has been seeing customers not only come back—but come back with friends, family, and bulk orders! There’s something incredibly special about return customers. It shows me we’re doing something right—that our clothing is not just worn, but loved. That trust and support from our community means the world to me. Another big success is simply watching how the business grows. What started with just 8 items sold in our very first month has now grown to over 300 this past month alone. That number isn’t just sales—it’s stories, families, people wearing pieces we designed, created and poured love into. It reminds me that even with all the late nights, tough calls, and steep learning curves, we’re building something real. A brand that people come back for, and a dream that’s slowly (but surely!) stitching itself into reality.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
One of my biggest hurdles has been learning to manage the finances of my business so that it can truly grow and build. I believe finance is the heartbeat of any business—everything relies on it. From the beginning, I struggled with pricing my products properly: how do I keep them affordable, while still making enough profit to sustain and grow? I’ve also wrestled with knowing when the “right time” is to hire help—can I afford it, and will it help us grow, or will it stretch us too thin? The same goes for investing in equipment to increase production: it’s always a fine balance between risk and reward. These decisions have often felt overwhelming, but they’ve also taught me so much. Managing business finance is an ongoing learning journey, and I’m committed to growing through it—for myself, and for the people I hope to employ.
