Rise Up Designs

​ It may still be hot outside, but if you’re a small business owner, somewhere in your brain it is already November. At least that’s how it feels for me. The holidays may seem far away, but this is the time I start thinking about them. Not because I want to rush the season. Not because I’m ready for Christmas music in August. But because holiday prep takes time. I’m already thinking about what products make good gifts. What can be bundled together. What inventory I need to reorder. What packaging I want to use. What signage needs to be updated. What markets I want to participate in. What sold well last year. And maybe just as important…what I do not want to repeat. That part matters. Every season teaches you something. There are products you thought would fly off the table that barely moved. There are things you almost didn’t make that customers loved. There are packaging ideas that looked cute but took way too much time. There are products that were great individual...

This week has been all about listening to my customers and pivoting with purpose . I’ve been busy prepping for my upcoming Wine and Wreaths Craft Party this Saturday (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds! 🍷🎀). But between glue guns, grapevines, and ribbon, something else exciting happened — I got feedback that really made me think. Someone said, “I love your products, but what would I get for a man?” Totally fair question. Most of my items lean toward a fun, colorful, or feminine vibe — wraps, bookmarks, keychains, tumblers — all things that make people smile but might not immediately catch a guy’s eye. So I started thinking: What’s something guys would actually love? Then it hit me: beer mugs. 🍻 So I created a new bundle just in time for the holidays — a custom beer mug featuring their favorite college or pro sports team, paired with a pallet coaster, a handful of peanuts, and wrapped up gift-ready in cellophane. It’s simple, it’s thoughtful, and it totally works. Of course, I h...

Big things are coming! My very first major pop-up event is right around the corner—October 4th—and this week has been all about prep. I’ve been busy creating something I haven’t done before: bundles just in time for the holiday season. Instead of selling items one by one, I’m combining them into gift-ready sets 🎁. Here’s what I’ve been working on: ✨ Tumbler + Wrap + Matching Bookmark + Daisy Coaster all packaged in clear cellophane — ready to grab and go! ✨ Book Lover Bundle for all the readers out there. 📚 ✨ Houston Sports Lover Bundle 🏈⚾ ✨ Dallas Sports Bundle 🏀🏈 So far, I’ve made 10 of these bundles, priced at $25 each. The goal? To increase my ticket price while giving customers ready-made gifts they’ll love. On top of that, I’ve been practicing my setup at home. I pitched my tent in the backyard and mapped out my booth layout so I can be more efficient when the big day comes. Because let’s be real—setup day can be overwhelming. But with a little practice, I know ...