Katie Smith, a Brown University graduate, had a clear vision after earning her International Relations degree: to explore the world, use her academic knowledge, create beautiful products, and take control of her destiny. These passions set the stage for a journey that would lead her to create two successful companies.

Katie’s post-college years started with a unique opportunity to work with one of her closest friends, Katha Diddel, who had studied Mandarin and moved to Hong Kong. With China opening to the West in 1979, Katha began sourcing products from China for American markets and later founded her own wholesale home décor company. Katie managed sales and operations from San Francisco, while Katha oversaw design and supplier relations from Hong Kong.

After three years, Katie felt the pull to create something of her own. Recognizing a growing trend in necktie fashion, she founded Mulberry Neckwear, a company that quickly grew into a $50 million enterprise. Mulberry became a household name with iconic lines, such as the J. Garcia, Grateful Dead and Fillmore Poster Ties, as well as more classic collections like Claiborne and Kenneth Cole. After 20 years of success, Mulberry became the third-largest tie company in the U.S., which led to its eventual sale to Van Heusen in 2008.

Following the sale, Katie sought her next entrepreneurial challenge. In 2010, inspired by a passion for design and empowered by her global experiences, she launched rockflowerpaper, a wholesale brand that blended beautiful aesthetics with accessible prices for women’s products. Katie reunited with Katie Blanchard, the former VP of Design at Mulberry, who brought her artistic expertise to the new venture as President. Together, they focused on building an international network of suppliers while fostering a vibrant in-house design culture.