Do-It-Yourself - Stitch People
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts and craft but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean, owner of Stitch People, located in Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Stitch People's number one passion is to inspire your personal creativity. We create mix-and-match patterns for cross-stitched family portraits, as well as written and video education to help you create personalized, heirloom-quality do-it-yourself cross-stitched family portraits.
Stitch People is for anyone and everyone who is even remotely crafty. Our name refers not only to the cross-stitched people we stitch but also refers to the people who do the stitching and the way that whole-hearted, thoughtful gift-giving can stitch people together, one beautiful moment at a time.
Tell us about yourself
I am a true generalist - a jack-of-all-trades with a background in so many fields! My capital "D" Dream is to make a living producing, directing, and performing in TV and film - maybe even theater! Stitch People is my entrepreneurial dream and...kind of my "day job," too! But a dream of a day job!
It was started ten years ago as a way to cope with my own personal depression and anxiety and has grown into a thriving community of stitchers across the world. I love helping people wake up to the idea of autonomous creativity. To help people understand they, alone, can give themselves permission to think outside the box and put their unique, creative twist on what they do is simply the best.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I find myself surprisingly stymied by this question! My gut says my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is...all of it! That said - I never thought Stitch People would grow as big as it has, and it is humbling and stunning to see how people all over the world have embraced this simple concept. I absolutely adore the supportive community of stitchers who interacts with and supports Stitch People. Gathering and maintaining a group of like-minded, kind, loving people is a feat these days, and I'm proud to say the Stitch People Community does that basically entirely on its own.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things I've run into lately is alienation from friends and family. I think this might be a specific slice of the classic "work/life balance" or "wearing all the hats" classifications. Entrepreneurship is much harder than it looks. There are a lot of intangible pressures, lessons, stressors, and skills a business owner has that many people do not understand unless they have been there and done it, too. Everyone's jobs are different, everyone's skill sets are different, and I don't want it to come across that I perceive an entrepreneur's skill sets or stressors to be more or less than anyone else - they're simply different, and very specific, and very difficult to explain or even put into words sometimes. So relating to people in different spheres of life can sometimes be difficult.
Frustrations have with family or friends when an emergency crops up, and I have to step away from a social event. That kind of thing. Or sometimes, there is resentment that comes along with the perception that "things come easy" to you when friends and family only see the result of the countless hours of work behind the scenes. Honestly? It can be a little lonely sometimes.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I'll answer these questions in relation to arts, crafts, and hobbyist-related businesses since that's more my niche.
- Ask yourself if you'd be satisfied with NOT doing your hobby/art in the future. Starting a business to sell your wares (whatever they may be) means making as many of those wares as possible to make sales and have the money to continue to grow the business. You are a limited resource. As your business grows and as popularity increases, you will need to be scaled up, which is unfortunately impossible. Growing a business often leads to hiring yourself out of doing the thing you enjoy that makes you want to turn it into a business in the first place so you can run the business -- unless you really think ahead about this issue, plan for it, and make strategic moves accordingly.
- Do. Not. Undervalue. Yourself. Most artists, crafters, makers, and creators are VASTLY under-charging for their products. I know many crafters who are actively losing money because their products are not priced well. You must not price your products based on "what you think people will pay for them." You must be strategic about your actual costs, the value of your time and expertise, and your financial needs. Under-pricing hurts the entire arts and crafts industry and creates a false perception of what things are worth. Sitting down and thinking through your pricing may also help you answer the first question I posed about if turning this into a business or not will actually be viable!
- Continue to qualify yourself and remember that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So first, never stop learning. Stay open, flexible, and curious. The most successful business owners understand how very little they actually know. Then remember that you get what you give. You get back what you put in. So if you're always increasing your knowledge, skills, understanding, and interest, and are actively working to apply those lessons, lean into your business, and keep pushing forward, the success of it will push back at you. It takes patience and consistency. And nothing about it is "easy." But it's sure a fun ride!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Anything is possible. You CAN do anything you put your mind to. I have seen that in real action. Just START. Say yes. Ask questions voraciously. Make what you want a reality.
Also - I love making new friends and supporting similarly-minded people. Feel free to reach out and connect with me!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://stitchpeople.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizzydbean
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzydbean/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzydbean/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.