Welcome! If you are new here or you have been following our journey for a while, hi! I'm Kendal! For those of you who don't know me, I am a 16 year old high school student in the West Chester, PA area running this little business in my free time. This little business has come a long way since we first started, so let's start from the beginning!
For Christmas in 2021, I got a Cricut machine and started crafting - nothing crazy just small crafts. I started seeing sticker shops on my Instagram feed and wanted to make my own. Using online apps and my iPad, I drew various designs and made them into stickers using my Cricut. In June of 2022, my dad and I sat down to configure my Etsy store! Fun fact: our businesses originally called Graceful Sticker Shop before I changed to Designed by Kendal! After a while, I wanted to expand my business and not limit myself to just sticker designs. (Now we have over 100 different items that I've handmade- how crazy is that?)
Being fully transparent, the first few months to a year are tough! Orders can be spotty and it can be tough to want to keep creating things when they don't sell. In May of 2023, we attended our first market! Little did I know, this would be my first of many. Everyone has their own opinions, but I think markets and events are an amazing way to promote yourself and your business. We killed it there and actually won an entrepreneurship award!
Orders finally started flowing consistently and my business started growing rapidly towards the end of 2023! 2024 was even better. For my 16th birthday, I got a laser printer which I had been begging for- it was a game changer for my business! Summer 2024 was one for the books. It finally felt like what I had always wanted it to feel like running a business. Items were flying off my shelves and I used to spend hours on hours making and packing orders- it was truly the best. Until unfortunately, in October my Etsy shop was shut down due to a miscommunication. I was devastated. I felt lost and had no idea where to go next. Part of me wondered if it was the end for my business. But, the other part of me knew that this is what I love to do and I couldn't give up on it.
After my case with Etsy was 'closed' and my account was officially gone, I built this website! It for sure isn't the same, but I know with time we can build it up together! I've also started selling wholesale which has been another great addition to my business. If I've learned anything, it is not to give up - keep doing what you love! Things might be different now, but I couldn't be more grateful for every person who chooses to support me and my little business! So whether you have been here a while or you are new, thank you for choosing my little business!