Our Story
SouthLife began with a simple gesture of love—and a little bit of grit and persistence.
It was 2010, in the middle of an economic downturn, when Heather Abbott mentioned she wished she had a new pair of earrings for Thanksgiving. Newly laid off and on a tight budget, her husband Kelly took a glance at a jar of spent 40-caliber shells in the garage. That night, he stayed up crafting a pair of bullet-stud earrings by hand. The next day, Heather wore them to dinner. By dessert, they had 25 orders from family and friends—and a spark of an idea that would change everything.
From there, SouthLife was born.
What started as handcrafted jewelry made from reclaimed materials evolved into something bigger. Kelly’s creativity expanded into timeless leather goods, while Heather applied her entrepreneurial drive to build SouthLife Supply Co. into a national lifestyle brand. For nearly a decade, the duo traveled coast to coast, setting up at trade shows and building wholesale partnerships with iconic names like Bass Pro Shops, the Grand Ole Opry, and Ryman Entertainment. Their designs have been worn and carried by artists like Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Little Big Town.
In 2016, SouthLife opened its flagship retail store in Heather’s hometown of Thomasville, Georgia—a place deeply rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and community. Inside, visitors can browse small-batch leather handbags, wallets, belts, and home goods while watching our makers bring each piece to life by hand. It’s not just a store; it’s an experience—where you can witness the lost art of American leathercraft and chat with the people who make it all happen.
We’re especially proud of our SouthLife Maker Program, which trains young artisans in the craft of leatherwork. Through this hands-on apprenticeship model, students gain real-world skills, personal mentorship, and the opportunity to help create products that end up in homes and stores across the country.
“This job gave me more than just a paycheck—it gave me confidence, creativity, and a future I never imagined for myself,” says Taylor, a graduate of the program who is now cross-trained in nearly every step of the making process.
SouthLife has earned statewide recognition, including Georgia’s Small Business Rockstar Award (2018) and Thomas County’s Small Business of the Year (2019). But at the heart of our growth is a simple truth: we wouldn’t be here without our customers and community.
“We’ve been carried by the people who believe in what we’re building,” says Heather. “It’s not lost on us.”
From a pair of earrings made out of love to a brand built on purpose, SouthLife is a story of resilience, creativity, and never settling for ordinary.
Tune into our journey. Listen to our story on the Let’s Talk Thomasville podcast, and follow along with our latest adventures on our YouTube and podcast series Living the SouthLife, where we share behind-the-scenes moments from the SouthLife shop, the launch of our cupcake store, the renovation of Heather’s grandfather’s building downtown, and our upcoming second location.
