Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Bumgarner.
Chelsea, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Sweet Thyme Design began five years ago this fall when I unexpectedly quit my job and turned to make as a way to subsidize income while looking for other work. I quickly discovered, within that first week, that my desire to work for myself was strong enough to take the leap and really go for it. I stopped searching for employment elsewhere, put my head down, opened up an Etsy shop, and immediately began networking through all my the connections I had made in the, then, four years I had been living in Austin. I have been self-employed ever since.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am 100% a creative, so when it comes to the business side of things, Sweet Thyme Design has been a huge learning curve for me and continues to challenge me on the daily. For the majority of our five years being in business, I have been a one-woman show, completely making things up as I go. I recently hired a production assistant to help me with inventory in the peak of busy seasons, and her addition to the team has been a life-changer. Starting a business always has its obstacles, and for me, that is no different. Things from time management, and marketing strategies, to learning your limits and weaknesses, all manifest under this category of “struggles”. For every one thing I am doing right, there are about 20 things I could be doing better, but what I have found to be helpful is to remind myself that it is okay to not be perfect. It is okay to learn as you, adjust, take the trial and error approach because that is ultimately what will help you strive in the future.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sweet Thyme Design story. Tell us more about the business.
Sweet Thyme Design is a reflection of my passions and taste. I have married my love for rust & dust, simple living, and words into one big package of hand-stamped vintage flatware and living greeting cards… yep, I said “living”.
My wares are made to bring a daily dose of comfort, kindness, and unexpected beauty into your routine; a combination of sweet and salty wit that I hope will help carry a bit of happiness throughout the rest of your day.
Each spoon, fork, and spreader is foraged and then stamped by my own two hands in my home studio located in Austin, TX. My tools of the trade include individual metal letter stamps, an anvil, hammer, and a good old fashioned wooden stump. Old school style.
When I began this company five years ago, I had just left a job that sucked me dry. It was my goal to create a lifestyle that not only I was proud of, but that nurtured my soul every day (or as close to every day as humanly possible). This has been my main focus over the years, and I try to follow that inner compass as much as possible when making business decisions. I believe my products reflect this, offering what was once an ordinary everyday object, and transforming it into an up-cycled piece of treasure.
I have tried to use things like social media to truly connect with my customers, allowing them to come with me on this little journey with the hope that they all feel apart of it in some way. I know as a consumer, I always feel better putting my money towards something that feels personal, and it is my goal as a small business owner that my customers know how much I appreciate their support, whether it be physically, emotionally, or monetarily… it all matters!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not quite sure I believe in luck. I go back and forth on this matter quite often, actually. I almost take offense when people say things like, “you are so lucky to have success”, because quite frankly, luck has nothing to do with it. It has taken A LOT of hard work to get where I am, and I will continue to bust my butt to get to where I am going. Figuring out how to market and present your work is a skill, and while you have to have a quality product, to begin with in order to be liked, you need to master the art of presenting said work to the world in order to lock people in. I feel lucky every single day that I have the wherewithal to go after my dreams, and the dedication and work ethic to not give up. But I do not feel like “luck” has played much of a role in my business. I have made many decisions in the past that have lead me on a path to where I am now. From the city I choose to live, the relationships I have formed, a life partner who has my back, to how I present my work as a maker; all of these things have been laid out with a huge amount of effort. I would say the word “luck” comes to mind when I think about the family I was born into; a support system I am thankful for every single day. However, the word “luck” doesn’t live in the business world.
Pricing:
- All my products are very affordable and range between $5-$50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SweetThymeDsgn.com
- Email: howdy@SweetThymeDesign.com
- Instagram: @SweetThymeDsgn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetThymeDesign/
- Twitter: @SweetThymeDsgn
Image Credit:
Chelsea Bumgarner
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