Meet Stephanie Payan of SoCal Etsy Guild in Southern CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Payan.

Stephanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been an artist and crafter for over 20 years. I started the SoCal Etsy Guild 8 years ago to support local small businesses. I produce weekly markets featuring local artists, crafters, and designers. I started small with one monthly market in downtown LA at a parking lot a friend owned. Now I produce up to five markets a week, year-round across five different counties. I also own a 4,500 sq ft brick and mortar location in Mission Viejo open every weekend. The store is a co-op that is home to local small businesses. I provide them with an affordable option to open their own space. I work directly with over 1,500 small businesses a year and growing.

During the Covid lockdown, I pivoted to weekly cyber markets until the in person markets were able to reopen over the summer. Roughly about 90% of the businesses I work with are owned and operated by minorities or women. The SoCal Etsy Guild itself is operated by a completely minority staff. I also offer affordable workshops and small business education. Most of the education workshops are free. I have gradually grown to where we are with the continued love and support of the small businesses we work with.

Has it been a smooth road?
The SoCal Etsy Guild was started and been maintained 100% without any loans or investors. I started the business while waitressing and bartending to support the growth of the business. In 2015 I was able to quit my regular job and focus entirely on the business. In 2017 three weeks after I opened my brick and mortar location, my father passed away. In 2018 I felt a lump in my right breast. I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I was 33 years old. I found out I was born with a genetic mutation called BRCA 1. This genetic mutation gave me an 85% of getting breast cancer and 65% chance of getting ovarian cancer. I had no idea I had the genetic mutation until I was diagnosed with cancer. I went through 4 months of extremely difficult chemotherapy. I lost all of my hair. Simple tasks became difficult. After chemotherapy was done I had my right breast removed and 12 lymph nodes removed in my right arm.

Six weeks after my breast was removed, I started getting really bad headaches and collapsed. The cancer had spread to my brain. I went to the hospital and found out I had a 3cm and 2cm legion in my brain behind my left eye. Several days later, I had brain surgery to remove the tumors. This was in 2019. I was 35 years old. I had trouble walking for about a month. Thankfully I am being treated at City of Hope at their main location in Duarte. This place is filled with miracle works. Everyone there is amazing! City of Hope saved my life. My cancer battle isn’t over. It is something I will have to deal with my entire life. I will receive regular MRI’s and CT scans for the rest of my life. I have weekly occupational therapy for difficulties with my arm due to the removal of lymph nodes. Sometime next year, I will have my other breast removed and eventually a reconstruction. My ovaries and tubes will also have to be removed before I turn 40. I will not be able to have any biological children.

The entire time I was dealing with my father’s passing I worked. The entire time through my cancer battle I worked. I love what I do. I never stopped moving. I went to Disneyland, dodger games, played in my billiards league and maintained my business. My business supports so many small businesses. People depend on my markets to support their families. Slowing down was never an option. Putting my business on hold was never an option. Sure, I had to take more naps and needed extra help with physical aspects of the job. But I kept going. I smiled and just kept going. I never felt like a victim. I have made a conscience choice to not be angry. I am thankful. I have eliminated as much negativity out of my life as possible. My glass is half full. Everything I went through showed me what I am capable of.

It has been anything but easy. But I did it. Everything I have been through has taught me an extreme love and appreciation for life. Dying was never an option for me. I knew I would be ok. I worked at it. Losing my business wasn’t an option. All of my Drs have told me my attitude and outlook have so much to do with why I made it through it all. I really believe it! I’m lucky to have an opportunity to be any part of another businesses success story. The outpour of love and support I reached from the business I work with was remarkable. I have the best team, family, friends, and fiance. I really do have the best job in the world. I’m alive and my business is still going strong because of hard work and dedication. Staying positive and working through everything was a choice that saved not just my life but the quality of my life. I love what I do and am grateful for it everyday.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the SoCal Etsy Guild story. Tell us more about the business.
I produce weekly markets featuring local artists, crafters, and designers. I now produce up to five markets a week, year-round across five different counties. I also own a 4,500 sq ft brick and mortar location in Mission Viejo open every weekend. The store is a co-op that is home to local small businesses. I provide them with an affordable option to open their own space. I work directly with over 1,500 small businesses a year and growing. During the Covid lockdown, I pivoted to weekly cyber markets until the in person markets were able to reopen over the summer. Roughly about 90% of the businesses I work with are owned and operated by minorities or women. The SoCal Etsy Guild itself is operated by a completely minority staff. I also offer affordable workshops and small business education.

Most of the education workshops are free. I have gradually grown to where we are with the continued love and support of the small businesses we work with. I am most proud of the different kinds of people from all different backgrounds I get to work with. What says my business apart is the carrying and supportive environment I work hard to create. I genuinely care about each person I work with. I make an effort to get to know everyone on a personal level so I can accommodate their individual personality and needs.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
While studies show in person retail on a decline, I still believe business will always need some sort of physical presence to connect with customers. Small businesses more than ever will need to have a presence online and on social media. I want to be able to help people with these changes. In person markets will help small businesses develop and expand their website traffic and presence on social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.socaletsyguild.com
• Phone: 6262741434
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/socaletsyguild
• Facebook: facebook.com/socaletsyguild
• Twitter: twitter.com/socaletsyguild
• Other: www.socaletsyguild.eventbrite.com

Image Credit:
Dakotah Rains Photography

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