About Smart Girl

SMART IS BETTER

​​In 2015 Kelly was inspired by her oldest daughter to start SMART GIRL. She dreamed of creating a brand for girls that communicated and celebrated important messages about confidence, curiosity, achievement, empathy, bravery and celebrated being smart.  She longed for a brand that valued being smart over sexy and clever over cute.  She wanted a brand to speak to her daughters in an authentic voice that let them now, SMART IS COOL and working hard is worth it. 

Kelly started writing the SMART GIRL manifesto.  Writing turned into research, then planning and finally SMART GIRL launched.   After adding some meat to the "big idea" and ensuring the TM was possible, Kelly took her Business Plan to the one person she knew could visually bring it to life, Jori Bennett.  Michigan natives, former co-workers and mothers of daughters, Kelly and Jori share a passion for empowering young girls to be confident, strong, curious, determined and smart.  

Jori was instrumental in bringing the SMART GIRL design to life.  She was pivotal in creating our logo, developing the color palette and adding creative juice to everything she touched.  

With no experience in retail they decided to go for it.  Because when you tell your daughter not to worry about failure, and encourage her to take risks and follow her dreams, we thought it was important to take our own advice.  

Three years later, the dream is real!  During that time, Jori received a wonderful promotion at Art Prize and has recently taken a sabbatical from SMART GIRL to pursue her dreams in the art world. Kelly is thrilled for her and grateful for the time together and outstanding work she contributed to the development of SMART GIRL.  

Thank you for being curious about SMART GIRL.