DON'T MISS A THING

In this edition of Love Happens’ Empowered Women Empower series, join us for a peek inside the inspiring mind of Susanne Reich. Founder of the timeless, beautifully crafted, and empowering sport fashion brand Alp N Rock. Susanne started Alp N Rock with four sketches, a cleared-out garage, and a mission to launch a company that would make a global impact—to provide girls in developing countries with the lifelong gift of an education. Today, the Alp N Rock line couples modern design with the classic spirit of the mountains, offering a new take on outdoor style to socially conscious adventurers. While doing just what she set out to do and empowering young women through education!

Meet Susanne Reich, Founder of the Empowering Sport Fashion Brand Alp N Rock

Raised between Canada, Denmark, and Switzerland, Susanne Reich’s unique global perspective laid the foundation for her business. She took her passion for the outdoors and coupled it with a mission to give back—creating a line of elevated fashion that would impact both the lives of its customers and girls in need.

In the past 10 years, Susanne and the Alp N Rock team have done just that, taking the brand to new heights and getting closer to their initial goal of funding education for 1,000 girls in developing countries. A goal they are working towards by donating 10% of all profits to Room to Read Girls Scholorship Program.

Inspired by heritage and vintage craftsmanship, Alp N Rock takes a modern, fashion-forward approach, pairing each unique style with intricate detailing. Each piece is thoughtfully designed and made to transition well between adventures and everyday wear.

Alp n Rock aims to be economically sustainable, but beyond that, they strive to fulfill the social and environmental responsibility that is a fundamental part of being an ethical company. This ethos can be seen each step of their process. From how materials are chosen, to factory selection, all the way to the closets of their valued customers.

Read on to learn more about Susanne Reich, and be empowered!

Love Happens: As ‘Love Happens’ we are firm believers that you cannot achieve any level of success without love. When did your love affair with fashion begin? And how did it make you feel?

Susanne Reich: I have always believed that clothing should make you feel comfortable and confident. Being a tomboy, my vision of fashion was centered on quality, comfort, and timelessness.

Lh: What empowers you?

Susanne: Seeing my daughters grow up to be strong women. Working with a creative and smart team. And providing education to girls in developing countries. Being my own boss, which allows me to live life on my own terms and reaching goals is also very empowering.

Lh: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Susanne: Seeing how smart, thoughtful, and hard-working my daughters are—not sure how much I have to do with that, but it gives me great joy. Also being able to grow a successful business in my own way, with kindness and respect for all involved, and not always putting profit first. In 2020 we became 100% cruelty-free and we have a sustainability plan in place for the future, so I take great pride in leading an environmentally and socially conscious brand. 

Lh: Who is Susanne Reich the Woman?

Susanne: I am a mom who wants her daughters to walk freely in the world. And help other women do the same.

Lh: Who is Susanne Reich the founder of Alp N Rock?

Susanne: A team leader that strives to create a company that gives back, treats the environment with respect. And can stand the test of time by producing quality products that resonate with our customers.

Do what you love or love what you do, and don’t forget to have fun while doing it.

Lh: How do you empower other women?

Susanne: We have sent 693 girls to school in developing countries giving them the opportunity to change their lives through education. Within my business, I am always looking for team members with an entrepreneurial spirit that I can mentor to reach their professional goals. I have created a work environment that takes the challenges we face as women and turns them into strengths. Such as having a family and being able to put them first while still having a fulfilling career. 

Lh: What three pieces of advice would you give to a young woman starting her career?

• Give yourself the opportunity to succeed by allowing the possibility of failure.
• Do what you love or love what you do, and don’t forget to have fun building your business.
• Any job you take, do it better than anyone else ever has, that will open opportunities for you.

It takes guts to run a business with kindness and fairness!

Lh: Do you have any mottos you like to live by?

Susanne: A have a few—”Fall down six times, get up seven”; “Never give up, just pivot”; and “Don’t misinterpret my kindness for weakness”. It takes guts to run a business with kindness and fairness!

Lh: What’s next for Susanne Reich?

Susanne: I love what I do so I will keep doing that… a few longer-term goals involve international expansion, adding more thoughtfully designed products to our collections, and becoming a global lifestyle brand.

Shop Alp N Rock!

By Anna Beck Bimba