Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Shonkwiler.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!) with a degree in Creative Advertising and Graphic Design. I fell in love with not only design but the process leading up to it as well. After graduation, I landed a dream internship as a Creative Planner. This internship was EVERYTHING I wanted to get my foot in the door of a big advertising agency. However, I learned very quickly that my dream hybrid role didn’t entirely exist in the corporate world. I found myself forced to choose between two roles, but I wasn’t ready to give up on either. So, I left the corporate world and started to work as a Freelance Designer for small businesses. Working as a designer for small businesses allowed me to take on many creative roles and to design without boundaries.
After two years of freelancing for small businesses, I took a leap of faith and started my own business. I still brand for small businesses, but now I also create custom stationery, invitations, signage, gifts and more! Sweet Thangs will be three years old in September and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At first, the roads were definitely bumpy. Owning your own business is a learning experience in all aspects of the job. I took a full year to brand my business, research pricing, purchase equipment, figure out wholesale, taxes, licensing and other legal/business things. Learning all this was easy, but it was truly understanding all of it and implementing it into my business that took a while to adjust to. Once I got the hang of things, pricing became my number one struggle. I would underestimate my time and/or the money I put into a project. So, my biggest advice for anyone starting their own stationery business is to always prepare for print issues if you want to print in-house, and if you are asked to create something you’ve never done before get quotes from another print shop or create a sample to better understand the costs/time before giving a quote. Lastly, I know you’ve all probably heard the saying before, but know your worth, then add tax!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sweet Thangs Design is a custom stationery and design studio split into three different categories; Custom Wedding, Custom Home Décor & Gifts, and Branding & Graphic Design. You can find a full list of services on our website, but if you don’t find what you’re looking for please email me! I’d love to help bring your vision to life!
1. Custom Wedding: Invitation Suites, Place Cards, Tags, Labels, Menus, Ceremony Programs, Signage, Vow Booklets, bachelor/bachelorette gifts, resin decor with dried wedding flowers, etc.
2. Custom Home Décor & Gifts: Let your heart run wild with this one!
3. Branding and Graphic Design: Branding Elements (logos, business cards, style guides, package design, etc.) and Print/Promotional Items (posters, flyers, brochures, etc.)
What makes Sweet Thangs unique is the connection I have with my clients. I wasn’t a bride too long ago, so I know the stress and how much everything can cost. I will spend as much time as we need to make their vision come to life. Whether that’s coming up with new ideas to fit in their price range or offering free upgraded items. Oh, and things like COVID-19 do happen! I worked with all my brides to make sure they didn’t lose any money from me. I think it’s super important to take a step back and understand that, yes, this is a business and I need to make money, but my clients come first.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
This is a hard one! I personally believe my passion and perseverance has brought me to where I am today. However, I do realize that personal success can depend on chance and that good/bad luck does exist. With that being said, I can thank my family for my artistic jeans and the lifestyle I was brought up in. I am very fortunate to have grown up in a nice neighborhood with a great school system and have parents that always supported my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sweet-thangs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetthangs_designs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetThangsDesigns/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/sweet_thangs_designs
Image Credits
Bonphotage Photography (image ST5.jpg) and One July Photo (image ST2.jpg)
