July 14, 2023

A new studio specializing in handmade bows has opened with a mission to employ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mary Spargur founded The Effortless Bow, which is at 3500 S. Kiwanis Ave. For now, it is being used only as a production space, not a retail store.

The mother of two has a master’s degree in education and intellectual disabilities, plus 11 years of experience in special education classrooms teaching students with autism, ADHD, multiple disabilities and medical complexities.

Making all kinds of hair bows became the vehicle for Spargur to employ people living with disabilities and create an inclusive and fun workplace environment.

Spargur said she enjoys creating and selling handmade bows and scrunchies but cares more about supporting people in the community.

“Humans shouldn’t have to be fighting so hard to get their needs met when they’re basic,” she said. “You should be entitled to a welcoming workspace and a community of people that support you.”

When Spargur was a child, she already knew she would work for the community and especially wanted to support people living with disabilities.

“I remember in elementary school getting in trouble for sticking up for someone that was ‘different,’” she said.

The Effortless Bow sells handmade bows created from vegan leather and suede, cotton tie-bows and scrunchies. It also sells seasonal items such as claw clips, which are hand-packaged.

The name was inspired by her daughter, who “hated getting her hair done, so I was like, ‘but Mommy made this bow, can we wear it?’” she said.

After the success of doing her young daughter’s hair, Spargur wanted to help other families who might be struggling to style their child’s hair. She said it became a joke in their family how a single bow could “make you look put together – it’s effortless.”

The Effortless Bow is currently a six-person team, with the goal of providing opportunities to people living with disabilities on a “wide range of scales,” Spargur said, along with a workspace that meets the comfort level of employees and encourages the community to look beyond first impressions of people.

For instance, Spargur said one employee has limited verbal communication but completes tasks at the same rate she does. Another employee has autism and what Spargur said are “excellent creative skills.”

Even with a small staff, the team produces handmade bows at such an impressive rate that Spargur said she struggles to estimate how many are created daily.

The Effortless Bow has a studio storefront, online ordering and has shows at local events. Bows are sold in small sets or through monthly or quarterly subscription boxes.

Spargur said she hopes to eventually have both a store and a studio so employees have the option of interacting with customers or creating privately in the studio.

For now, it’s open for local order pickup only. For current hours, click here.

“Our handmade products are what we do, but what we stand for is how inclusion is so important and that everyone is capable of doing amazing things,” Spargur said.

Upcoming events include the DTSF Eastbank Block Party at 8th & Railroad Center on Aug. 4, the Yankton Summer Arts Festival on Aug. 18-19, the 605 Made Night Market on Aug. 26 and the Sidewalk Arts Festival on Sept. 9.