Welcome back to Hello Moxie! I’m thrilled to share this conversation with my dear friend and LinkedIn connection, Dianna Huff. Dianna is the president of Huff Industrial Marketing and a passionate advocate for Made in USA products. 

The Woman Behind the Mission

Dianna’s journey is a testament to the power of reinvention and following your passion. With over 25 years in the business world, she’s gone from freelance copywriter to the president of her own marketing firm specializing in helping small US manufacturers. But it’s her unexpected role as a Made in USA advocate that truly lights her up.

“It was not on my bingo card,” Dianna laughed, explaining how she stumbled into this new passion.

Her blog, Keep It Made USA, has become a labor of love, showcasing American-made products and the stories behind them.

The Challenge of Dressing American

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was Dianna’s commitment to wearing Made in USA clothing. As she pointed out, it’s not an easy task:

“3% of apparel is made here in the United States. And I think it’s easier for men because a t-shirt and jeans, right? But for women, we have all these accessories and colors and outfits and functions.” – Dianna Huff

Dianna shared the story of her beautiful glass bead necklace, handmade in Amesbury, Massachusetts. It’s more than just jewelry; it’s a piece of wearable art with a story behind it. This approach to fashion – seeking out unique, American-made pieces – is something Dianna is passionate about sharing with others.

Sarah Campbell: A Made in USA Success Story

One of Dianna’s favorite discoveries is Sarah Campbell, a clothing designer with headquarters in Boston. Campbell’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. After losing major clients when production moved overseas, she pivoted to creating her own clothing line sold in boutiques along the Eastern seaboard.

“It’s an amazing story,” Dianna enthused. “And her income, so when that happened in 1985, 20 million down to 7 million. And she didn’t give up, she just regrouped.”

This kind of determination and commitment to American manufacturing is exactly what Dianna loves to highlight through her work.

The Art of Finding Made in USA

For those inspired to support more American-made products, Dianna offered some insights into her process:

“Mostly it’s a lot of trial and error. I do a lot of searching… A woman I work with, Ginger Burr, who’s an image consultant, Total Image Consultants, she’s vegan. So when I was working with her and I said I need some help finding clothes, but can we find Made in USA as much as possible? She’s so used to searching for vegan, she was like, ‘Sure!'”

Dianna’s blog has become a valuable resource, featuring posts about women’s apparel lines made in the USA. It’s clear that this mission has become more than just a hobby – it’s a calling.

A Decade of Success and a New Chapter

Our conversation took an exciting turn when Dianna shared some big news:

“This month marks my 10th year as Huff Industrial Marketing. I’m actually very excited about that. And I achieved everything I had set out to do when I first started, with the exception of being the Made in USA person.” – Dianna Huff

But it’s her work with Keep It Made USA that’s truly lighting her up now. Dianna shared how she overcame her fear of starting the blog, inspired by the book “What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?” by Nicole Oshman.

“If I weren’t afraid, I would start this blog,” Dianna recalled thinking. “And the reason why I was sort of afraid was because it might be too political. Made in USA, you know, manufacturing, you know, might be too political, but I wanted to do it.”

Since launching in 2022, Dianna has published nearly 20 interviews with American manufacturers and countless product reviews. Her commitment to authenticity is clear – she doesn’t accept free products or payment for her reviews, ensuring her recommendations are genuine and unbiased.

A Gift to Herself

What struck me most was Dianna’s decision to prioritize her passion project in 2025:

“As a gift to myself for 2025, I’m not calling it a goal. It’s a gift to myself. I am giving myself the time and space to pursue this versus always having it on the back burner or when I have time or feeling guilty for doing it because I should be doing client work.” – Dianna Huff

This reframing – from a goal to a gift – is so powerful. It’s a reminder that following our passions isn’t just about achievement, but about nurturing our souls and giving ourselves permission to pursue what truly matters to us.

The Power of Heart

Throughout our conversation, Dianna’s passion and heart shone through. When I mentioned the word “heart,” she made a beautiful connection:

“I love that word heart. You actually have it on your blog head. No, your LinkedIn header. Yeah, I never thought about heart before until I saw that.”

It’s clear that Dianna puts her whole heart into her work, whether it’s supporting small manufacturers or championing Made in USA products. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I have no doubt that her continued efforts will have a tremendous impact.

Looking Ahead

As we wrapped up our chat, I couldn’t help but feel excited for Dianna’s future. With her wealth of experience in marketing and her newfound passion for Made in USA advocacy, she’s poised to make a real difference in how we think about and consume American-made products.

Dianna’s journey reminds us all that it’s never too late to pivot, to follow our passions, and to use our skills and experiences in new and unexpected ways. Her story is a testament to the power of saying “yes” to our dreams, even when – especially when – they scare us a little.

So here’s to Dianna, to Made in USA, and to all of us finding the courage to pursue what lights us up. Until next time, keep embracing your inner moxie!