Rise Up Designs

​ There’s something really powerful about women supporting women. This Mother’s Day, I found myself thinking not only about moms, but about all the women who step into nurturing, encouraging, mentoring, and supportive roles every single day. Some are mothers by title, some are mothers by heart, and some simply show up for others in ways that leave a lasting impact. Growing up, I was surrounded by strong women who believed in working hard, speaking honestly, loving deeply, and showing up when it mattered. My mom especially has always been one of those people. She calls it like she sees it, works hard without complaint, and somehow still manages to encourage everyone around her. Even now, she continues to inspire me with her strength, resilience, and unwavering support. As I continue building Rise Up Designs, I realize more and more how important encouragement is. Sometimes it’s a friend sharing your post. Sometimes it’s another vendor cheering you on at a market. Sometimes it’s your ...

 Sippin’ Sunday ☕✨ This weekend marked my first full market of the season—and it was a big one. Over 50 vendors, beautiful weather, and a chance to really see how my products show up in a larger space. Here’s the real takeaway… ✔️ My book lover theme? A HIT.   ✔️ “Blind Date with a Book”? Even bigger hit.   ✔️ Totes? People loved them.   And honestly… that felt really good. But here’s where the growth comes in: My glasses didn’t move the way I expected—and that tells me I need to rethink how I bundle or present them. I also offered a 20% discount… but didn’t clearly post it. Lesson learned: if people don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. This is why I love markets. It’s not just about sales—it’s about real-time feedback you can’t get anywhere else. So I’m walking away from this one feeling proud… but also focused. Small tweaks. Smarter strategy. Same vision. 💛 Let’s go, season. 🙌 #SippinSunday #SmallBusinessGrowth #MarketSeason #VendorLife #RiseUpDesigns

  This weekend looked a little different for me—and honestly, it needed to. Usually, my weekends are full of prepping, creating, and getting ready for upcoming markets. There’s always something to do, something to make, something to improve. But this weekend? I took a step back. I spent time with my family, went to the Fiesta Flambeau Parade (one of our yearly traditions), and just allowed myself to be present. And it reminded me of something I think we all need to hear every now and then: 👉 Rest is part of the process too. Of course, I still had a little bit of that business mindset in me—I made Fiesta t-shirts for my family (which I also sell), and it was actually really fun to have people stop and ask where we got them. I handed out a few business cards and even made a couple of sales without even planning to. But the best part wasn’t the sales. It was the balance. It was being able to enjoy the moment while still seeing how my business naturally fits into my life—not t...

​ This week officially kicked off my spring market season—and if I had to sum it up in one word, it would be:  learning. My first Fiesta-themed markets are officially behind me, and I’ll be honest… they weren’t my strongest. I stepped a little outside of what I normally do to lean into the Fiesta vibe, and while everything didn’t land the way I hoped, I’m really glad I tried it. Because that’s part of this journey, right? Trying something different. Seeing what works. Figuring out what doesn’t. And adjusting for next time. And speaking of next time—I’m really excited about what’s ahead. I had the chance to collaborate with  @customcreatedbyjess  on a few pieces that complement my product line, and I’m looking forward to introducing those at my May market. That’s one of the best parts about doing in-person markets… the connections. Not just with customers, but with other creatives who are building something of their own. That part never gets old. This week also came with a...

One of the things you get used to when you run a small business is feedback. It comes from everywhere — customers, friends, family, people at craft fairs, people who see something online. And honestly, most of the time it comes from a good place. People want to help. But if you’ve ever tested a product idea with different people, you know what usually happens. One person will say, “I love it!” Another person will say, “It’s nice, but I’d change this.” Someone else will say, “I like it… but I’d remove that.” And suddenly you’re sitting there thinking, Okay… so what exactly am I supposed to do with all of this? Feedback can be incredibly helpful, but it can also be a little exhausting if you let every opinion pull you in a different direction. What I’ve learned is this: feedback is information, not instruction. Just because someone suggests something doesn’t mean you have to implement it. But it does give you insight. It shows you how people see your work, what catches their at...

  One of the things I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is the experience behind a gift. For a while, my shop focused mainly on individual items — cups, wraps, and other pieces people could purchase on their own. And those are still a big part of what I do. But lately, I’ve been experimenting with something new. Instead of just selling a single item, I’ve been asking myself: How can I turn this into a whole experience for someone? Because the truth is, most of the time when people are buying something from a small shop, they’re buying it for someone else. It’s a birthday gift, a thoughtful surprise, a little something for a friend, or a “just because” moment. So this year I’ve been stretching a little creatively. One thing I’ve been testing is notebooks with custom designs, pairing them with matching glass cups to create a ready-to-gift bundle. Something that someone could pick up and immediately think, This is perfect. I’ve also been experimenting with a few other ideas:...

  Last week I shared about hitting one year in business. And with a full year under my belt, I’ve started noticing something really important: Patterns matter. When you’ve been in business long enough to see your busy months and your slower months, you stop reacting… and you start preparing. Whether you’re on Etsy, Shopify, Square, doing manual tracking, selling at craft fairs, or running an online shop — the data is there. You just have to pay attention to it. For me, February was slower than January this year. Still grateful for every sale. Still moving. Just… slower. And instead of panicking, I prepared. That slower month gave me space to: Prep inventory Test new products Organize bundles Get ready for my first craft fair in March That’s the shift. Slow doesn’t mean failing. Slow can mean building. When you start recognizing your own rhythms — seasonal shifts, market cycles, customer behavior — you can move with them instead of fighting them. Busy months are fo...

On February 12, I quietly celebrated one full year on Etsy. One year of listings. One year of late-night packing sessions. One year of figuring it out as I go. One year of truly stepping into my business. And I’ve learned a lot. Not the flashy, viral-growth kind of lessons. The steady, grounded kind. The kind you only learn by doing. 1. Stay in Your Lane If you start a business, especially a creative one, everyone will have advice. “Try this.” “You should sell that.” “Have you thought about adding…?” “You’d make more money if…” And listen — most of it comes from a good place. People mean well. But here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t have to make everything. Just because something sells doesn’t mean it’s yours to sell. Just because someone else is successful doing it doesn’t mean it belongs in your shop. There were ideas I chose not to pursue — not because they weren’t good, but because they weren’t me. And that clarity matters. Your lane is powerful when you stay in i...