Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Hendrickson.
Hi Brooke, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I used to work as a film producer at an advertising agency before having my two daughters. After they were born, I was lucky to be able to stay home with them, but I still needed a creative outlet, something just for myself that wasn’t tied to motherhood or family life. I’ve always been a crafty person who loves figuring out how to make things on my own.
I had done some embroidery in high school and with my grandma growing up, so when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I wanted to create something special and handmade for her room. I decided to embroider her name on a keepsake hoop, and that project sparked the idea of opening an Etsy shop so I could make personalized keepsakes for others, too.
Since then, my shop has grown to include name keepsake hoops, holiday embroidery, bows, hats, and my personal favorite, custom venue embroideries of people’s wedding locations. Those pieces make such meaningful gifts and lifelong keepsakes of one of life’s most special days.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Selling on Etsy has it’s ups and downs. You never really know what listings will help gain traction to your shop, and sometimes business can be booming where I feel like I’m hardly able to keep up, while other times there are long lulls of no orders at all. So is life as a small business owner – it ebbs and flows and you just have to go with the flow yourself.
I feel lucky that within the 3 years I’ve been on Etsy I’ve sold on average around 6-7 items per month and look forward to continuing to grow that number.
As you know, we’re big fans of By Brooke Ashlyn . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I started my Etsy shop, By Brooke Ashlyn, with the intent to create special keepsake items for other children and families. It began as a creative outlet, a way for me, as a stay-at-home mom, to do something meaningful for myself while still earning a bit of income. It’s something I can manage on my own time, allowing my main focus to stay on my two daughters.
Through this journey, I’ve learned how to build and manage a small-scale business from the ground up, designing my website, creating a cohesive brand look, figuring out packaging, shipping, and workflow, managing customer service, and advertising on social media.
I’m proud to have built this entirely on my own while also being a full-time mom. I’ve earned Star Seller status on Etsy for most months, which recognizes consistent five-star reviews, on-time shipping, and great customer service. A few of my designs have also been chosen as Etsy’s Picks, which are hand-selected by Etsy’s style experts to highlight shops that reflect quality, reliability, and creativity.
I know how easy it can be these days to go the quick and convenient route when buying gifts online, but there’s something truly special about a handmade item. It carries thought, time, and heart, qualities that can’t be replicated by mass-produced goods. When you buy something handmade from a small business owner like myself, you’re supporting not just the product, but the care and passion behind it.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is getting to create! Whether it’s coming up with a new embroidery design, trying a fun craft project with my kids, or even cooking and baking yummy food for my family, I love having a creative outlet in my day. There’s something so satisfying about seeing an idea turn into something real and beautiful, whether it’s a tangible item from my Etsy shop, a creative project come to life with my daughters, or a tasty meal nourishing my family.
I’m also happiest when I’m spending time with my daughters, playing outside, baking together, or just being silly at home. Having a balance between being creative and being present with my family fills me up in the best way. It’s those simple, everyday moments that end up meaning the most
Pricing:
- $60-$150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bybrookeashlyn.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bybrookeashlyn_embroidery/
Image Credits
kands_takephotos
