Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Carrick.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been a creative at heart. Making things with my hands has never just been a hobby. For years I ran small businesses and side projects built around crafting, always finding ways to turn creativity into something meaningful and shareable. In late 2016, an unexpected opportunity changed everything: I had the chance to purchase the property where I’d been consigning my greeting cards inside a local mercantile store.
On April 8, 2017, Jacaranda Gift Shop opened its doors. This year we celebrate 9 years! What started as a leap of faith has grown into a space filled with embroidery, quilting, and keepsake pieces that tell personal stories and preserve memories. Watching customers bring in cherished fabrics and leave with something transformed is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
From the beginning, I wanted Jacaranda to be more than my shop. I wanted it to be a home for other creatives too. Giving local artisans a place to showcase their work felt just as important as selling my own. Today we proudly represent more than a dozen consignors, each bringing their own style and talent into the space. Supporting small businesses is at the core of who we are, choosing local whenever possible and celebrating the craftsmanship and passion behind every product we carry.
Jacaranda has always been about community, creativity, and connection. It’s a reflection of the belief that handmade things carry stories, and that those stories deserve a place to be shared.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any small business, we’ve faced our share of day-to-day challenges and a few extraordinary ones. There have been burst pipes, unexpected setbacks, and even a global pandemic. Each obstacle tested us, but perseverance, creativity, and the unwavering support of our customers carried us through.
When COVID forced us to close our doors for several months, we adapted. I shifted focus to our keepsake work, which I could continue from home, and turned to online sales through Facebook to stay connected with our community. We offered porch drop-offs, safe deliveries, and a sense of continuity during an uncertain time. That period reminded me just how powerful community support can be and how ingenuity often grows strongest when circumstances demand it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
There’s so much I’m proud of when I look at how far our little shop has come. At its core, Jacaranda is about people. We spend a lot of time talking with our customers and hearing their stories and they’re not always easy stories. Many of the keepsake pieces we create are tied to loss, memory, and healing. Being trusted with those moments is incredibly humbling. If we can offer even a small measure of comfort, something tangible that helps preserve love and memory, that means everything to me.
I hope we’re known as a place that feels welcoming and uplifting. We’ve worked hard to create a colorful, friendly space that brings a smile the moment someone walks in. We focus on affordable gifts, free gift-wrapping, and customization so people can give something personal without it feeling out of reach.
Beyond the shop itself, we see Jacaranda as part of the broader community. We’ve planted flower gardens and created murals around the property to make the area more beautiful and inviting for everyone. Recently we added pop-up markets, including youth markets, to give other small makers and young entrepreneurs a place to shine. Supporting creativity, whether it’s our customers’, our consignors’, or the next generation’s is what truly sets us apart.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Resilience, empathy, and adaptability. Running a small business demands persistence, but our work is also deeply personal. We meet people in moments of joy and loss, and compassion guides how we serve them. Every challenge has pushed me to pivot, learn, and stay creative while staying true to the heart of the shop.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacarandacoppell/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacarandacoppell/
