Today we’d like to introduce you to Desi & Darren Gaither
Hi Desi & Darren, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
D&D started because of burnout and a love for quilting.
In April 2022 I (Desi) was suffering severe burnout in my career, bought a sewing machine and started quilting again for the first time in a decade. In July 2022 D&D Tropical Trading Co. Went live on Etsy.
Originally it was a tiny shop and that sold scrunchies, mug rugs and headbands. Darren was seeing all the cool.Tropical and Disney images available and started both creating and sourcing fabrics for 3 yard Bundles that I could turn into quilts and bags.
As D&D grew and burnout continued me and Darren had some choices to make which led to me leaving my tech job In May 2024 and running the shop full time. Being able to run the shop full time has brought my drive back.
I (Desi) have now been running the shop for 9 months and have been able to expand what I can offer, and my social media presence. Over the last 9 months I have been able to add additional bags to the shop including wine bags, brunch bags, the library tote and the coffee shop bag. I have also added a beach coverup called the Sandy Shawl, wall hangings, and been able to expand out line of mug rugs and table toppers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Along the way we have ran into roadblocks with getting into markets. A lot of local markets in our area required that you have a certain online presence and that you be established in the community. After a year of being rejected by markets we found two that were willing to take a chance on us.
We also ran into issues with getting our name out there. We have a store on shopify and Etsy, along with being on instagram and Facebook. We started posting that we were at local events (not as vendors) and if you see us come say Hi for a free scrunchie or coffee cozy. We participated in our local trunk or treats to get our face in front of potential customers.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in custom quilts and quilted products. We make quilts, bags, scrunchies, headbands, wall hanging, table toppers, table runners, mug rugs, bowl cozies,coffee cozies, and scarves.
We only source our fabric from women owned and veteran owned quilt shops. This means we use quilt shop quilty fabric and anything you buy from us will last for years to come.
With the fabric we source we focus on Tropical, Tiki and Disney prints. We love a good pop culture print though and you will see items in our shop that feature patrick swayze, the rock, and the tootsie roll owl. The uniqueness of the fabric we use and the patterns we create catch people’s attention because it’s not everyday you will see things like a figment quilt.
Were most proud that we have taken this one little idea and have now crafter over 300 items that are offered in our shop. We never dreamed that this little idea of ours would grow into a full blown business.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is being happy in what you do. It’s finding joy in the small things.
Pricing:
- Quilts $150 -$350
- Scrunchies $5 -$8
- Totes $45
- Scarves $25
- Sandy Shawl $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ddtropicaltradingco.com
- Instagram: @ddtropicaltradingco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550635367752
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desirae-fuller-474a3191
- Other: https://ddtropicaltradingco.etsy.com
