Fabric scraps and a stapler are how self-made designer and South Dakota entrepreneur, Rebekah Scott, got her start.
“I would sit at my mom’s knees while she sewed and whatever scraps fell, I would take them and staple them together to make dresses for my Barbie dolls,” recalls Scott, 35.
At 4 she began to compete with her mom, Peggy Eggers, for time at the sewing machine. By 7 Scott had her own machine and was soon selling handcrafted items on the playground.
Today, when she reflects on the experiences upon which Rebekah Scott Designs are rooted, the Haakon County 4-H alumnus credits the organization with helping her refine her sewing skills.
“I loved 4-H because it was competitive. My mom loved it because it gave me direction. I couldn’t just sew, I had to sew well because I knew the items would be judged,” explains Scott, who says the quality of her work continues to receive compliments. “I ripped out my share of seams because 4-H showed me quality is worth the extra effort.”

Today, when Scott interviews prospective seamstresses, she always tells them, “I’m a good 4-Her, so it will be stiff competition before I hire you,” says Scott, who designed her business model to allow her the freedom to work from home and provide that same opportunity to other Midwestern seamstresses. Scott and her husband, Nick, live on a farm near Valley Springs, South Dakota where they raise their four young children.
Today, Scott employs eight women within the tri-state area.
“When people pay $140 for one of my purses, they should know that the item is handcrafted here in the U.S. Handcrafted should not mean cheap,” Scott says. “It was always my vision that through my business I would prove sewing was not only a time-worn tradition but a skill to be valued.”
Prior to launching her business in 2004, Scott, a South Dakota State University graduate, worked in radio broadcasting. As she was developing her business plan, Scott says she relied on the presentation and organizational skills she gained in 4-H.
“I heard about boutiques carrying handcrafted purses - so I knocked on store doors and asked if they would carry my purses. This was painful but I had learned in 4-H how to stand in front of people and pitch,” explains Scott.
Her hard work and dedication to quality has paid off. Today, Rebekah Scott Designs’ bags and purses are sold in more than 20 boutiques across the Midwest. They made an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, her business was featured in Success magazine, a national entrepreneur/ business publication and in 2016, she ranked ninth in the Fiber and Textile division of Martha Stewarts’ annual Made in America competition.
Along with being featured on several local, regional and national news shows, the South Dakota Small Business Association named Scott the 2012 Home Based Business Champion of the Year.
Scott continues to design all her products, provide the final quality review and sew several items from her home studio.
“My happy place is sewing and raising babes,” Scott says.
To learn more about Scott and view her product line, visit shoprsd.com.