My Why

How it started . . .

If someone had told me ten years ago that my life would be completely changed because of buying Made in USA, and that I’d be publishing a blog and being interviewed by the WSJ, I would have laughed. But these things happened — and more.

I made the decision to buy Made in USA in early 2015, a few months after I had closed up my copywriting business and started Huff Industrial Marketing. I wanted to focus on working with small industrial manufacturers — something I had been doing all along and loved.

To get up to speed, I read the book, Manufacturing a Better Future for America, a collection of articles published by the non-profit, Alliance for Manufacturing. I didn’t realize, until I started reading it, that the book covered how offshoring had decimated entire industries.

I remember my response as I read each chapter. I was in shock at how bad things were. Up until then, I had been “blissfully unaware,” to use a colleague’s words, because like many people, I never read labels.

Then, I discovered the “Million American Jobs Project” video. The video’s message: If each of us spends just 5% on American-made goods, we’ll help create a million new jobs.

I said, “Hell, I’ll buy everything made here.” I quickly learned I had to backtrack on that one, haha.

At first, things seemed overwhelming. I’d walk into a department store or big box store, and see only lost jobs and closed factories. But, I stuck with it. I learned to read labels and slowly, things started to change.

We like to think our small choices won’t make a difference in the face of big problems — but they can and do. Maybe I can’t change the world, but I can buy Made in USA whenever possible.

By doing so, I can support American manufacturing, my local community, and most important, help keep jobs right here in the United States.

Celebrating American ingenuity

Since starting this journey in 2015, I’ve heard amazing stories. I continue to be inspired by the people who start companies from scratch and then grow to become thriving manufacturing centers employing dozens of people — all in an effort to keep manufacturing in the U.S. humming and viable.

I’m thrilled that people read my posts and then begin taking small steps toward their own Made in USA journeys. The best thing anyone can say to me is, “I now look for Made in USA because of you. Keep posting!”

When you buy American-made, you help keep jobs here. Think about it this way: Manufacturing + good jobs = strong families and strong communities.

Sharing the stories of companies who make stuff here is my way of giving back. Because manufacturing isn’t about machines. It’s about people — our families, friends, neighbors, and you.

That’s my “why.” I hope you’ll join me.

Made in USA items featured in the header photo

• Floyd sofa v. 1.0, Detroit, MI — Read the interview; includes an unhappy update
• Modilumi lamp shade, St. Paul, MN; the lamp is vintage Danish, ca. 1960
• Carpet + carpet pad (mfger not known but def. made in the U.S.)
• Spoonflower curtains & pillow, Durham, NC
• Coastal Industries windows, Haverhill, MA
• Sunflower print, CanvasWorld, California

Rocky, my dog

Rocky is wearing a Lupine collar, made in NH — Read the interview

Photo by Tiffany Cook, Plaistow, NH.

Wardrobe & Makeup

Buying clothing made in the U.S. can be tough, but in the photo I’m wearing a top by Kleids, made in the U.S. of imported material, and pants by Joseph Ribkoff, made in Canada. Eye glass frames made in Italy. (You can’t find frames made in the U.S. anymore.)

The skincare and vegan makeup products I use are made in the U.S. as well.

USA Plaque

The wooden USA plaque was made by Deep South Creations, a veteran-owned and operated business in South Carolina. My customer, Brandon Acker, President of Titan Abrasive, gave it to me because he said that as “Queen of Made in USA,” my office needed to have it. I love it!