Shopping & Retail
Lancaster Legacies: Primitives by Kathy
A small business of gifts and home décor that is making a difference in the community.
“It’s rewarding to know that our product designed in Lancaster County is touching so many lives across the country.”
Kathy Phillips, CEO and Founder of Primitives by Kathy (PBK), is no stranger to offering creative solutions to her wholesale customers. Her collections of gifts and home décor, inspired by current industry trends, are the reason that her business has flourished and grown to more than 200 employees in its 22 years of existence.
“We have 27,000 independently owned shops across the country that have purchased from us within the past year as well as 125 key accounts,” she says. “Some of these customers reach out directly to me to share their success stories and how PBK products saved or grew their business.”
However, Kathy’s passion isn’t solely driven by numbers. Philanthropy has also been at the heart of the company. In 2018, PBK registered its 501(c) non- profit, Kathy’s Circle of Friends, which organizes social events for adults with different abilities on the first and third Wednesday of every month. “Some of our most recent themes included a magic show, carnival, prom, country hoedown, and a Halloween dance party. Our goal is to drive activities that encourage social interaction and making new friends. These events are the highlight of my month.”
Find festive home decor and accessories to brighten up any space.
Another initiative Kathy is most proud of is PBK’s collaboration with Friendship Heart Gallery, a gallery located in Downtown Lancaster that provides creative opportunities to local artists with different abilities.
“We visit the gallery once a month to carefully select new art to apply to various gift items such as tote bags, dish towels, stationery, water bottles, and wall décor. Each product has the artist’s story and photograph on the hangtag as well as PBK’s commitment to give back a portion of the proceeds to support the gallery.”
“PBK products are primarily sentiment-based,” she says. “The hundreds of creative sayings that connect with customers bring smiles, love, and support. It’s rewarding to know that our product designed in Lancaster County is touching so many lives across the country.”
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Stifel strives to help clients create sustainable financial solutions to impact their legacy while enhancing the surrounding community. In each 2019 issue of Fig, Stifel is sponsoring this feature on an organization that is showcasing a strong mission of community transformation to uplift and inspire our readers.
