Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Minton.
Hi Brittany, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m Brittany! I’m the owner of Ollie and Gray Clay! I’m a stay-at-home mom of 4 kids–Grayson, Rowan, Oliver, and Memphis.
I am a nurse, but while I was pregnant with Ollie in 2020, I decided to give being a stay-at-home mom a try because I was so afraid of bringing gross stuff home to a newborn. Boy, did I underestimate this challenge! In 2021 I found out I was pregnant with Memphis, and that’s when I decided being a stay-at-home mom was the best option for our family for the indefinite future. While I LOVE being at home with my kids every day and watching them grow up, I started feeling like I was losing myself and my identity (apart from being a mom). So, I started thinking long and hard about things I can do that are mine and mine alone to get Brittany back.
I knew that I loved creating things, and one night, I came across polymer earrings on Pinterest, and after a deep dive into a very deep rabbit hole of looking at every polymer clay earring on Pinterest: I was hooked. I thought it was something worth trying, and it has been the best thing for me! Getting to work with clay and create pretty things has been so healing and productive for me. I got myself back!
Now, I want to share my craft with y’all!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Starting your own small business definitely has lots of ups and downs. The hardest part for me was believing in myself enough to just get started! I’ve learned that it’s a lot more pressure than I anticipated to have to show your products and your personality when meeting people. You want people to love what you spent so much time making, but you also want people to love you and form long-lasting customers and friends. Another struggle is knowing that not everyone goes “viral” some businesses grow a little slower, and that’s okay too. Learning to appreciate and be present in every step is most important.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I hand-make polymer clay jewelry. All my products are hypoallergenic, so they are safe on sensitive skin! I’m proud of how many people have messaged me or talked to me in person about how they are only able to wear my earrings because they are the only ones that don’t cause a reaction. I spend a lot of time looking for the safest metals and components, so hearing that feedback makes it so worth it! Another thing that I’m proud of is that I can do any of this with 4 kids 7 and under! What sets me apart from others is the care I put into EVERY SINGLE DETAIL. From the packaging to the stamps on my boxes to the earrings themselves, I truly put my heart and soul into everything I do.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I’m the next 5-10 years, I’d like to have a thriving business, of course! A dream of mine is to own a boutique where I can showcase other small businesses that I’m passionate about!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ollieandgrayclay.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ollieandgrayclay?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
