http://smathersandbranson.com/about-us/For creative minds like Peter Smathers and Austin Branson, it wasn’t difficult for them to take opportunistic dating to a whole new level when their girl friends at at the time got them needlepoint as gifts.
“In 2004, while roommates at Bowdoin College, we decided to start a company that offered needlepoint belts. We had each been gifted a needlepoint belt from our then girlfriends and became intrigued with these unique accessories. After looking to buy finished belts, we realized that there wasn’t a company that featured these timeless items. From the start, our goal was to make the belts more available, attractive and affordable. We had always shared an entrepreneurial spirit and after discovering a concept that we were passionate about, we started working on the idea that has become Smathers & Branson®.”
As I looked at their belts and other products on their web-sight, I was very impressed and surprised that these young men even thought of this idea. The belts look so high quality, adorable, and timeless. I also found it interesting that they took such an interest in the belts in the first place, just from receiving them as gifts one time.
The following fall, Peter and Austin decided to go to Vietnam in search of skilled artisans to turn their vision into a reality.
” Without realizing it we had laid the groundwork for a cottage industry that, within a few years, would employ and provide opportunities for thousands of people. As our company continues to grow, we have the satisfaction that our artisan’s level of success grows as well,” they said.
After having success with the belts, they decided to expand their business. Smathers and Branson now offers needlepoint products for universities and colleges, major league baseball teams, national hockey league teams, fraternities and sororities, and other clubs and organizations.

On their web-sight their mission statement reads, ” to offer the finest products with customer service to match.” Then it says, “Thank you to our customers and stores for your continuing support, and remember, “anything else is just a waist!”, which I thought was extremely clever! I would definitely recommend looking at their products, especially after reading about their story.