MWS Featured on “Someone’s Thunder” Podcast

As the origin story goes: an errant comment sparked Cheryl Kilbourne-Kimpton and Tommy Boyer’s idea for Manhattan Wardrobe Supply. Today, MWS serves costume and styling pros as a true one-stop with over 6,000 sqft of supplies. With Oscar winner Mindy Hall’s guidance, they also launched MWS Pro Beauty for hair and makeup artists. Cheryl and Tommy always focus on customer needs and deliver real convenience for busy industry professionals. MWS supports production teams, stylists, and performers around the world. Last week, this dynamic duo was featured on the “Someone’s Thunder” Podcast where they discussed their own inspirations.

About the Podcast

The expression “stealing someone’s thunder” actually has theatrical roots—not in a famous monologue or scene, but in a pilfered sound effect. Back in the early 1700s, a production used a newly invented sound cue without credit, giving rise to the phrase we still use today.

As is often the case in the arts, influences mix, ideas migrate, and creativity sparks. When everything comes together, the result can be magical. Lifelong New Yorkers, seasoned entertainment pros, and close friends Angela Pierce and Stephanie Klapper dive into that very subject matter on their podcast, “Someone’s Thunder.” they discuss inspiration, artistry, and creativity. They also explore the fascinating stories of real people finding passion and magic in their lives. That’s what they discussed when MWS was featured on “Someone’s Thunder” Podcast.

The Spark of Creation

Cheryl Kilbourne-Kimpton and Tommy Boyer met on the film The Pallbearer, hit it off, and soon teamed up on The Impostors, where they survived a wild three-week scene with 17 principal actors and only the two of them on the set. By the time they reunited as Wardrobe Supervisors on You’ve Got Mail, they were tired of running all over the city for garment bags, hangers, tags, and every other supply a film demanded. One long day of receipts, petty cash, and logistical chaos sparked a simple idea: What if all of this existed in one place? With no business experience, just the desire to make their own lives easier, they opened a tiny shop with a few shelves and garment bags, selling to friends and to themselves on their next productions. That scrappy setup became Manhattan Wardrobe Supply, the go-to haven they never knew the entire industry was waiting for.

If You Can Make It There…

Starting a business in New York City is never easy, and Cheryl Kilbourne-Kimpton and Tommy Boyer learned that firsthand. They launched MWS with no roadmap, no credit, and no idea just how tough the climb would be. From maxed-out cards to manufacturers who wouldn’t take a chance on them, they built the store one product at a time. They  tracked down suppliers themselves and convincing people to trust a brand-new shop run by two costumers with a dream. If they had known how challenging those early years would be—or that a future pandemic would test every part of their business—they might never have taken the leap. But they jumped in anyway, and that fearless inexperience became their superpower. It’s proof that ordinary people can push through extraordinary obstacles and create something great.

Stealing Someone’s Thunder

The best ideas often come from the people right beside you. MWS’s motto, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it,” came from employee Carolyn, who casually said it during a store video shoot. Cheryl and Tommy embraced her idea and made it part of the company’s identity. It goes to show how creativity thrives when everyone contributes and gets credit where it’s due.

Thank you so much to Angela Pierce and Stephanie Klapper for featuring MWS on the show! Please be sure to check out the full podcast HERE or wherever you listen!