Meet Jacquese Gooch of Antioch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacquese Gooch.

Hi Jacquese, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hello! My name is Jacquese Gooch and I am a Nashville native. I still consider myself as just a crafter. It was never my intention to open a small business nor to expand it; so this interview is surreal. Thank you for considering me.

Those that know me know that I am an avid coffee lover with an ever-growing mug collection. While most people collect shot glasses, I collect mugs. I don’t just collect them; I use them and switch them out depending on my mood and the season. In 2019, I expressed interest in making my own coffee mugs to a friend of mine. I grew tired of not being able to find relatable mugs. I am a black woman, obviously, so there are times when I prefer a mug that depicts my hair or showcases my name. So, my friend gifted me a starter kit for Christmas that year and the rest is history. It is imperative to surround yourself with people who have your best interest at heart and support your dreams. I would’ve never entered the craft world had this person not invested in me.

I spent several months and hours on YouTube learning and perfecting the craft. In May of 2020, I posted several mugs for Mother’s Day and to my surprise I received much support. It wasn’t until the height of the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020 when things really took off. I felt really inspired so I posted several mugs geared towards the movement. From there, people would ask if I could make other items. Once I did more research, I decided not to limit myself, and here I am. I went from crafting mugs solely for myself to making tumblers, T-shirts, baby boxes, custom party bags, glasses, and much more. I literally do it all. I love being the person people can call on when they need a custom or a last minute gift. This journey has also allowed me to network with many entrepreneurs within the city and establish new friendships.

I often refer back to my first mug attempt and it is very humbling. Currently, my baby boxes are the most popular. I literally just wanted to make a unique gift for my friend’s baby shower and the request started coming and have yet to stop. I am truly grateful for everyone that supported me in the beginning. The growth in my work is amazing.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a challenging road. There were several times that I wanted to give up. I never intended to start a business, so I was unprepared without a plan. The trial-and-error process was completely draining. I was constantly investing money without reaping the benefits. When I first started making mugs, I managed to fail at making 25 before successfully making one. I remember that number because in my starter kit, there were 25 practice mugs. I burned about 15 tumblers before I perfected it. I was very frustrated because I didn’t think I would ever succeed. I actually took a few months off from prints and redirected my focus to vinyl projects.

In the beginning, I was employed full-time and a full-time grad student, so my time was minimal. I would go several days with little to no sleep. I would set unrealistic deadlines because I didn’t understand the importance of setting a two week turnaround time. A 5minute project could easily turn into a week. I believe I was a bit of a perfectionist. I would remake an item 10 times if I saw the slightest error. It was really stressing me out lol. I definitely critiqued myself harder than anyone else.

Before I expanded myself, I was only using the sublimation method. The products are unavailable in-store and must have a specific coating. I would order from different vendors and never receive the product. I eventually discovered several of those vendors were not reputable, and I am still waiting to receive items from 3 years ago. However, I stayed the course, and things have since paid off. I’m just so grateful for those that were understanding during my learning process.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am an all-around crafter. My items are handmade with love. If you need it, I can make it. I absolutely love making custom photo items such as mugs and keychains. I usually promote gift baskets for holidays and would LOVE to expand on that. What sets my gift baskets apart from others is that I always try to include a custom item; whether its a custom candy bar or a photo magnet. In addition, baby boxes are full customizable. I allow customers to select the onesie size, theme, and sayings. My craft Instagram handle is customzbyja615 for those who are interested. Since I don’t specialize in anything particular, its best to let the work speak for itself!

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Yes! I love playing sudoku. It is a guilty pleasure of mine and I have a few books. I love a challenge..

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jgooch
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacquese.gooch/