Storytelling and Strategy in Creative Entrepreneurship

In this powerful episode of The Woman’s Hustle: Thrills and Spills of Entrepreneurship, Kira Hartley shares how she launched her business at 40, rebuilt from debt, and transformed her passion for resale, upcycling, and fabric into a thriving creative business. Her journey highlights what so many women in business need to hear: it’s never too late to start, pivot, or reinvent your path.

In this episode, Kira breaks down:

• How Kira uses storytelling to elevate her resale and upcycling brand
• The marketing strategies that helped her grow a purpose-driven fabric business
•  Why women in entrepreneurship should trust their creativity, timing, and voice 

This is a motivating conversation for anyone ready to start, restart, or reinvent their entrepreneurial journey. TAP IN! 

Kira Hartley Klinger is a longtime force in e‑commerce, launching her first online shop in 2003 and carving out a niche in resale and upcycling. Inspired by the treasure‑hunt spirit of shows like American Pickers, Pawn Stars, and Storage Wars, she built her success by uncovering valuable gems hidden in discarded textiles and forgotten inventory. Her storytelling talent led to the release of Fabric Wars in 2023 and Fabric Wars & MORE! in 2025—both top sellers in the Antique & Collectible Textiles & Costumes category. Kira now takes her stories and expertise on the road, speaking at quilting guilds across the Midwest, and continues to innovate with products like the Grammy Whammy, a fan‑favorite solution for eliminating odors in vintage fabrics. 

Kira Hartley-Klinger on Instagram

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
03:15 From Divorce to Entrepreneurship
05:25 The Evolution of a Side Hustle
10:01 Adapting to Change in Business
14:18 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing
18:40 Scaling the Business: Books and Public Speaking
23:31 Creating a Unique Brand in Fabric Resale
26:26 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs