Mallory Ottaviano launched her Etsy store the day of her college graduation. Although she had just completed a degree in architectural design, she jumped right into selling and producing her own clothing line. She was inspired by all seeing so many other successful clothing companies on Etsy and wanted to try it herself. After all, she had grown up sewing and making her own clothes. Now – a few years later, Mallory’s line, Kind Apparel, active apparel made from recycled and remnant fabrics is sold in several stores around the country as well as in her successful online store.
Visit the Kind Apparel web site.
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“I was terrified people would think our products were strange and silly but instead we won ‘Fan Favorite – Best in Show.’”
Camryn Forrest Lewis has always loved miniatures. She adored dollhouses and anything else made at a tiny scale. While she pursued a career as a journalist, her husband built and repair snow globes. Then, she she got an idea. Could she combine her love of miniatures with her husband’s snow globe handiwork. After a bit of experimentation, a new genre was born: fine art snow globes.
Visit the Camryn Forrest Design website.
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“If you are completely in love with what you are doing, that will be enough fuel to get you through the difficult times.”
“I don’t believe that I would have the career I have today, if I weren’t in the right place at the right time, when all these new ways to sell and reach an audience directly were exploding.“
“No one just wakes up and knows business. There is no cheat sheet. You just learn as you go and you’re going to make mistakes.”
While pursuing a career in entertainment in Los Angeles, Megan Goldkamp thought that making jewelry might be a bit more fulfilling. So, she left L.A. to attend an intensive jewelry making program in Virginia and fell in love with engraving, despite the fact that it took a long time to get the hang of it. She now has a thriving jewelry company making custom, engraved, one-of-a-kind pieces.
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Graphic Designer / Illustrator, Stacie Bloomfield, was just trying to make some cute art for her newborn’s nursery. After receiving several compliments on the whimsical animals she drew and framed, she decided to sell some of her prints on Etsy. Eight years later, her products are sold in 300 stores and her designs are licensed by major retailers (West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Land of Nod, etc…) and Moda Fabrics. She currently employs eight people at her studio in Springdale, Arkansas. Check out her whimsically illustrated products: www.gingiber.com.
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“A Hollywood promoter who got our candles as a gift and really liked them, asked if we could send some to BEYONCE. Um… Yes. Yes we can!”