Meet Keeley Giles | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keeley Giles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keeley, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As the founder of KeeleyRae Embroidery, my journey began in college when I recognized a gap in collegiate merchandise and set out to create designs that celebrated the bonds within student organizations. What started as a passion project has since evolved into a full-service branding partner for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Today, KeeleyRae Embroidery guides clients through the entire process of designing company merchandise from concept development to final production, ensuring each piece reflects the unique identity of their brand. With licensing secured across collegiate, corporate, and panhellenic organizations, we have built a reputation for pairing creativity with precision. Our mission, “Making life fun one stitch at a time,” continues to capture the essence of shared memories, meaningful connections, and the power of thoughtful branding.

What should our readers know about your business?
KeeleyRae Embroidery began as a small idea during my time in college, when I noticed a real need for unique and personalized merchandise that went beyond the standard, mass-produced designs. What started as hand-stitching products for student organizations has now grown into a full-service branding and merchandise partner for businesses, organizations, and teams of all kinds.

What sets us apart is the end-to-end process we provide. I don’t just make products I work closely with each client to understand their brand, their vision, and what will resonate most with their audience. From concept design, to selecting quality materials, to delivering finished pieces, every step is personalized to ensure the final product reflects the client’s unique identity. I take pride in the fact that our work is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and always aligned with creating meaningful connections through merchandise.

The journey definitely hasn’t been easy. One of the biggest challenges early on was acquiring the necessary licensure to legally sell collegiate merchandise all while being a full-time university student. Navigating that process taught me how to handle legal and compliance hurdles at a young age, and it gave me the foundation I needed to expand into larger partnerships later on. Balancing that with school and other jobs pushed me to develop resilience, time management, and resourcefulness.

I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding challenges, but about adapting, problem-solving, and staying true to the mission even when things feel overwhelming. What I want the world to know about KeeleyRae Embroidery is that it’s more than a business to me. It’s about helping people and companies tell their stories, strengthen their communities, and create lasting memories through merchandise that actually means something. My mission, “Making life fun one stitch at a time,” will always be at the core of what I do, and I’m excited to keep growing and partnering with more people who want their brand to shine.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Fort Worth, I’d want to show them the city’s best mix of food, fun, and local charm. We’d kick things off with live music and dinner at Woodshed, grab a sunset drink at Ático rooftop restaurant, and spend a day renting bikes along the Trinity Trails with stops at Quince and Saddlerock Winery. I’d take them for a sunset walk around the TCU campus to show some Horned Frog pride, then wrap things up with some of the best BBQ around at Hurtado. Fort Worth has such a unique energy, and I’d want them to experience it all.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my mom. From the very beginning, she has been the one encouraging me to pursue my entrepreneurial endeavors and reminding me to believe in myself. She’s been there every step of the way not just cheering me on, but also stepping in as a sounding board and consultant when I’ve needed guidance in my business. Her constant support and perspective have been invaluable to my journey, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

Website: https://www.keeleyraeembroidery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeley_rae_embroidery/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keeleyrae-embroidery/