Ginger Slover

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Ginger Slover. I’m originally from Guymon, a small town in the Oklahoma Panhandle, but I’ve called Austin home since 1995. I’m the founder of Ozel Silk, a contemporary silk scarf brand inspired by my love of beautiful silk, unexpected color, and the West.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

What I love most about Austin is the contrast. The city has the bold, modern energy that inspires one side of Ozel, but drive 20 minutes in almost any direction and you’re surrounded by the true Western character that inspires the other. That mix of modern city life and the Texas countryside feels very much like home and very much like the brand.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Ozel Silk creates silk scarves with a Texas accent. I started the company because I have always loved the beauty and ease of a silk scarf, but I saw room for something that felt more modern, colorful, and connected to the West without feeling old-fashioned or overly themed.

Our scarves combine familiar Western ideas with unexpected colors and a more current point of view. They give our customers an easy way to completely change an outfit and make it feel more personal. My goal is to create beautiful silk that feels special but still fits into real life. These scarves are meant to be worn and enjoyed every day, not tucked away for a special occasion.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

At some point, you just have to start. Not recklessly, and not without doing your homework, but before you feel completely ready. I certainly didn’t have everything figured out when I started Ozel, and I’m still learning as I go. So much of what you need to know only becomes clear once you begin.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

One customer purchased a scarf for herself and later reached out because she needed three birthday gifts for friends. She asked me to help choose a scarf for each person, and I sent them directly on her behalf. That stayed with me because she didn’t just love her own scarf. She trusted Ozel to help her celebrate people who mattered to her. I can’t think of a better compliment than that.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I would love for Ozel to become known simply for making beautiful silk. I see the brand growing into more boutiques across the country, continuing to create scarves with a clear point of view, and eventually expanding into other silk pieces when the time is right. I want Ozel to grow, but I want that growth to be thoughtful. The goal is to stay original, maintain the quality, and never lose what made the brand feel special in the first place.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles has been knowing where to put my time and money. When you’re building a small business, there is no shortage of advice, and much of it conflicts. You can easily feel as though you should be doing everything at once.

I’ve dealt with it by trying things on a smaller scale, paying attention to what actually works, and giving myself permission to change direction when something doesn’t. I’m still learning, but I’ve become much better at separating what Ozel truly needs from what I feel pressured to do.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I would love to give a special shoutout to Meredith and John, who believed in Ozel very early on and encouraged me to keep going. When you’re building something new and questioning nearly every decision, having people who see the potential before there is much proof means more than they probably realize.

I’m also incredibly grateful to the customers, boutique partners, friends, and family who have supported Ozel along the way. Every order, introduction, and encouraging word has mattered.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

You can see the full collection at ozelsilk.com and follow Ozel Silk on Instagram for new designs, styling ideas, and a look behind the scenes as I continue building the brand.