Fashion designer Sara Campbell says every day she’s “dodging a bullet” with her fashion company. But so far she’s managed to survive the “made in China” exodus of the clothing industry and the economic downturn while opening seven retail stores.

Campbell, a California native and summer resident in Marion, moved to Boston for graduate school and stayed on to start a fashion company that bears her name in 1985.

Originally selling and manufacturing her designs to private labels like Talbots, J. Jill and L.L. Bean, Campbell said, “In 2008, the industry shifted. With the downturn people started manufacturing themselves and going overseas. So they left all their vendors behind.”

Luckily, Campbell’s creativity didn’t stop with clothing. Going from 20 factories to eight (all in America), the designer created a retail women’s wear brand with her signature bright, modern clothing.

Although going from a $20 million dollar a year business to the competitive retail industry has left Campbell a bit frayed at times, she said, “It’s been a fun change. We’re much closer to the customer.”

Survival means frequent reinvention of the brand and a constant flow of new designs into stores. Whether it’s business casual, sportswear or party dresses, Campbell strives to design clothes with clean lines and a modern edge.

“We don’t have a lot of any one style. If you see it today, buy it.”

While the fall line is coming in from factories in Massachusetts and New York daily, Campbell and her team are busy designing looks for Spring 2013.

“I wouldn’t say we’re trendy at all, but obviously we pay attention to the trends,” she said. “We’re basically where you go after Kate Spade.”

Although the autumn line features subdued hues, Campbell said, “We like to throw in a little sense of whimsy. I still love bows and ruffles and all the pretty things that make someone feel special.”

A mother of two teenagers, Campbell admits that keeping the company’s going means balancing lacrosse games with long hours in the workshop, but she said, “That’s what keeps me invigorated—designing every day. We’ve gone through different situations in the business where we’ve asked if it’s worth it, but I’m not giving up until it’s time to give it up.”

With her eldest heading to college this fall, Campbell hopes she can at least spend a few more weekends at the family’s Marion home this coming year, but she says of her work, “I never regret having to work. I never resent it.”

For more on Sara Campbell, visit her website here.