Rise Up Designs

 This week has been a whirlwind 🌪️—traveling for work, flight delays, and then coming home to a stack of Etsy orders waiting for me. On top of that, I decided to try something new: custom T-shirts 👕. Between cutting vinyl, pressing designs, wrapping orders, and shipping them out, it felt like there just weren’t enough hours in the day. And honestly? That’s the reality of being a small business owner. Sometimes it’s long hours. Sometimes it’s late nights with tissue paper, shipping boxes, tape, and a stack of labels staring you down. Sometimes it’s just you—a team of one—doing it all. But here’s the thing: when you’re committed to what you’re passionate about, the hard days still mean something. 💖 The Lessons in the Busy Weeks Remember your “why”: Whether it’s creativity, freedom, or making something special for someone else—hold onto that. Commitment matters: Customers count on you, and showing up consistently builds trust and loyalty. Take care of yourself, too: ...

This week reminded me why I started. (Also reminded me that sleep is optional when you're building an empire... but let’s not unpack that. 😅) I got a DM on Etsy from a repeat customer —yes, a REPEAT! 🙌 That alone had me doing a little happy dance in my kitchen (you know the one, messy bun flopping, coffee in hand, my sisters judging me). But then—plot twist—she asked for a bulk order . Like… MULTIPLE ITEMS. Plural. 😭 She said she loved the quality, the way I package everything, and the customer service. Y’all. That hit me straight in the glitter-covered heart. 💘 Because when someone comes back and wants more of what you’re creating? That’s not just a sale—it’s a sign. A “you’re doing something right, girl” kind of sign. And THEN (because apparently the universe was feeling generous), I got to teach a craft class last weekend 🎨✂️. It was so fun to be in my element—teaching, creating, and saying things like “No, you didn’t ruin it, it’s called texture.” 😂 I even made a fe...

Sometimes the biggest wins don’t come from big crowds or big booths… They come from a two-hour craft fair at an elementary school , under paper flowers, surrounded by community, family, and the unexpected magic of handmade joy. This week’s flex? A Fiesta-themed event hosted by my niece Gracie’s school , and y’all — it ended up being everything. Gracie, the Accidental CEO 👧🏻✨ Knowing she might get a little bored, I brought Gracie some silicone beads to play with while she sat at my booth. You know, just something to keep her busy. Cut to: Gracie crafting up the cutest little keychains you’ve ever seen , and casually laying them out on the table like she’s been doing markets for years. No sign. No price. Just sitting there being adorable. Then it happened… A woman walked by, picked one up and said, “Oh my gosh… these keychains are BEAUTIFUL!” 😍 I blinked. Gracie blinked. I said, “Yep! They’re for sale!” ( Internally: Are they? They are now. ) The lady BOUGHT it. Gra...