Daily Inspiration: Meet Phuong Bui

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phuong Bui.

Hi Phuong, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been a creative at heart and enjoy picking up new hobbies. Late 2019, I had the opportunity to use a Glowforge laser cutter for the first time and fell in love with what seemed like endless possibilities of what I can do with it. After a couple of weeks of researching, I took the plunge and became a proud owner of a Glowforge Pro and thus the start of PBcorner. During this time, I was running my small business while also working both a full-time job and a part-time job as an EEG Tech.

I started out making Christmas ornaments, acrylic name puzzles, baby signs, and enamel pins. Business was slow to pick up at first so I had time to experiment and pick up other hobbies like sewing. Sewing masks for family and friends became a side hobby to my side hobby. Especially when the pandemic hit, sewing masks was my way of feeling less hopeless about everything that was going on around me.

My small business has evolved over time as I’ve learned more about what I enjoy creating and sharing with the world. These days, I’m making more rubber stamps and custom signs for other small businesses. As of March, I’ve also left the EEG world and became a full-time small business owner.

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?
Business was very slow at first. It took some time to learn the ins and outs of using a new-to-me laser cutter as well as navigating the world of selling on Etsy. Of course, there were also moments of self-doubt of whether I’m cut out to be a small business owner. Through all of this, I learned that being a small business owner means that a lot of the time, you just show up and figure it out as you go.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in mostly laser crafts but as my business logo will tell you, I also offer lots of other bits and bobs in my shop. I attribute my wide variety of products to my ADHD because as I’m working on one thing, my mind is already thinking about the next thing. Although it is still a work in progress, I’m learning to be proud of my ADHD brain and how it fuels my creativity.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
What I didn’t know when I first started my small business is how amazing and supportive the maker community is. I feel like I’ve finally found a place where I can feel like I belong. I feel so thankful to get to know and continue to meet such a supportive group of people who I now call my friends.

Contact Info:

• Email: thepbcorner@gmail.com
• Website: thepbcorner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pb_corner/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PBcorner-109666617413174
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PBcorner

Image Credits:
Khoa Nguyen Photography