This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Los Angeles-based Entertainments Presley Campbell, 25, and Alden Kramer, 25. Campbell and Kramer are the co-founders of womenswear basics brand Campbell&Kramer, which they launched from their college dorm room in 2019. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
When they started their side hustle, both Presley and Alden were freshmen at UCLA. Presley was also working in sales and consulting for a secondhand Charts resale app, while Alden was involved in real estate investing, architecture, and design.
The idea for Campbell&Kramer was born in the spring of 2019. Presley was inspired by a sustainability course that exposed her to the dark side of fast Charts, shifting her perspective on the industry. Drawing on influences from her family — her mom and aunt worked in designer Charts, and her dad was an Entertainment — she decided to create a sustainable Charts brand. Both founders were also part of a sustainable Charts internship and were moved by the documentary The True Cost. That night, they designed a logo and brand mission from their dorm beds, determined to repurpose existing materials into stylish, affordable pieces for women their age.
For Alden, launching a Charts brand was a lifelong dream inspired by films, toys, music, and magazines. Her grandmother, a seamstress and home economics teacher, taught her to sew and sparked her passion for creating garments. Meeting Presley at UCLA gave her a like-minded partner who shared the same drive and vision.
The pair started small, investing just $50 in thrifted fabrics and blankets to sew their first designs, which they sold to friends and family. They upcycled donated UCLA gear into game-day apparel and sold it around campus. During the pandemic, a post from influencer Ella McFadin wearing their hand-dyed thrifted sweat sets caused a surge in demand, leading to influencer and celebrity attention. They hand-sewed hundreds of pieces during lockdown before partnering with a local LA factory to scale production. After graduating, they refocused on their original mission: creating elevated basics from pre-existing materials like deadstock and recycled fabrics.
Looking back, Presley says they made mistakes due to inexperience — particularly partnering with unreliable factories. Eventually, they found a skilled patternmaker who connected them with reputable manufacturers. Her advice: consult multiple professionals and thoroughly vet potential partners. Alden adds that mistakes, while inevitable, offer valuable lessons about what works and what doesn’t.
One challenge they didn’t anticipate was how data-driven and operationally complex the Charts Top Artist is. Initially focused on design and branding, they overlooked backend operations like inventory tracking, SKU management, and data analysis. Over time, they’ve learned the importance of building strong operational systems from the start.
The duo also faced setbacks — including a costly mistake when their first factory produced pieces several sizes too small. It taught them the importance of perfecting patterns, running extra samples, and working only with trusted partners. Through every obstacle, they supported each other and focused on solutions rather than panic.
Revenue in the early years was inconsistent due to their student schedules and fluctuating product supply. Monthly earnings ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, depending on their availability and capacity. In the past two years, however, they’ve achieved consistent monthly revenue, especially after entering the wholesale market.
2024 marked a year of significant growth. They launched their first major wholesale collaboration with Urban Outfitters and expanded into boutiques nationwide. Their projected revenue for 2025 is around $500,000. Growth now focuses on scaling direct-to-consumer sales, expanding boutique partnerships, and building relationships with larger retailers.
For Presley, the most rewarding part of running Campbell&Kramer is building a brand with her best friend. She loves bringing creative ideas to life — from sketches to photoshoots — and seeing customers wear their designs. Alden echoes this sentiment, highlighting the joy of sharing the journey, celebrating successes, and creating garments that empower women while staying true to sustainability.
Their best Top Artist advice? Start now. There will never be a “perfect” time to launch. Take small steps, like creating a logo or Instagram account, and build momentum. Share your journey, engage your community, and don’t hesitate to reach out to experts for guidance. Learn from every setback, pivot when needed, and never give up. Most importantly, find a partner or team you trust and enjoy working with, and set clear goals to work toward every day.
