Woven into every sale: how Ohio Kimono LLC keeps payments simple with PayPal

Kerry Mackert has been running Ohio Kimono LLC for nearly two decades. What started as a niche business rooted in her appreciation for Japanese culture has grown into something much bigger. Today, she sells authentic Japanese kimonos, runs an ethically sourced stationery shop, and hosts fantasy-themed events. She does it all solo, and she runs it all on PayPal Open.

In Japan, the kimono is considered an art form, with dedicated training and formal traditions around how it's worn and styled. Kerry brings that same level of care to her business. She sources authentic pieces from Japan, partnering with modern Japanese producers to offer more inclusive sizing. Her customers range from first-time buyers to film and television wardrobe departments.

But artistry takes time. And when you're the only person running three businesses, every hour counts.

For Kerry, the math was simple. More payment platforms meant more accounts to reconcile, more records to organize, and more time spent on administrative tasks instead of her craft. With sales spanning her website, live events around the country, and custom wholesale orders, she needed a single payment setup that could keep pace without adding complexity.

Kerry consolidated everything on PayPal Open, using a suite of connected solutions to cover every way she sells.

"I like to be very streamlined," she says. "I don't like having multiple payment points or products. With PayPal, it's all-in-one place. There are fewer systems to juggle, less mess in my accounting. For me, it's PayPal or nothing."

Her online storefront and her in-person event sales are both powered by PayPal Checkout. Whether a customer browses kimonos on her website or stops by her booth at a weekend convention, the experience stays consistent. Kerry processes it all from her phone using the PayPal app, keeping things mobile and flexible.

PayPal Pay Later options have made a difference for higher-ticket orders. "PayPal Pay Later has definitely helped with larger customer purchases," Kerry says. "For example, we had a bridal suite come through that needed multiple items, and by breaking it into manageable payments, they were able to handle the full order and enjoy their wedding without stressing over money."

Custom work tells a similar story. Kerry has filled specialty orders for film and television productions, sending detailed, itemized invoices through PayPal Invoicing. "I love PayPal Invoicing," she says. "It's clear, detailed, and flexible. It's perfect whether I'm working with a small customer or doing consulting for film productions. It keeps transactions clean and professional and provides all the details I need for audits or custom orders."

And when she's traveling, the PayPal Business Debit Mastercard^® is her go-to.¹ "I love the PayPal Business Debit Mastercard for a lot of different reasons," Kerry says. "The 1% cash back is very nice, and it really adds up by the end of the year.² But on top of that, I use it as my travel card. When I'm on the road for festivals, I have peace of mind knowing I can freeze or unfreeze my card right in the app if needed. And I can access my sales proceeds as soon as they hit my PayPal account."

The biggest change for Ohio Kimono LLC has been operational. It's felt in how Kerry runs her day-to-day.

With PayPal, every transaction across all three businesses flows through one system. End-of-year bookkeeping is faster. Records are consistent. If a question ever comes up about a sale, the information is already organized and accessible.

Beyond individual orders, flexible payment options have shifted how customers approach Kerry's catalog overall. "PayPal Pay Later options help make authentic Japanese kimonos accessible to more people," she says. "It's amazing to see customers who might hesitate on a larger purchase be able to complete it confidently. That's a win for both of us."

Invoicing keeps the custom side of her business running smoothly. And the Business Debit Mastercard earns its keep every time Kerry hits the road for a show or convention.

For Kerry, nearly 20 years in business has only reinforced what she figured out early on. "I've built my entire payment infrastructure around PayPal," she says. "From mobile payments at festivals to invoicing for film productions, having one reliable system that handles everything has allowed me to focus on growing my business rather than managing multiple platforms."

Together, these PayPal Open solutions help Kerry run leaner, sell in more places, and give customers more ways to pay. Three businesses, one payment system, and a whole lot of cultural appreciation. That's the Ohio Kimono LLC way.