Gift Guide: Ashley Ratcliff Lundy of Poppy + Monarch Highlights their Top Product

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Ashley Ratcliff Lundy again. We’re excited to feature one of their products in our gift guide – learn more below and we encourage you to use your gift budget to support small businesses & creatives whenever possible.

Ashley, we loved learning your story, but I think our audience is going to appreciate learning about the product side of your story as well. So, maybe you can help bring everyone up to speed?
The Note to Self Spinning Enamel Pin is more than just a stylish accessory — it’s a source of daily encouragement and inspiration for those who wear it. This pin features eight rotating affirmations that provide gentle reminders to keep going, stay grounded, and embrace your inner strength. The affirmations — such as “God’s got me” and “I’m doing my best” — are heartfelt and empowering, making this pin a perfect companion for anyone seeking positivity and encouragement, especially within the chronically ill community.

What Inspired Its Creation?
The inspiration behind the Note to Self pin came from the desire to create something that goes beyond aesthetics. As a brand rooted in supporting the chronically ill community, I wanted to offer a tangible reminder of resilience, faith, and self-love. Living with a chronic illness often means facing daily battles, both seen and unseen. This pin was created to be a portable pep talk — something you can carry with you as a reminder that you’re never alone and that your journey matters.

What Problem Does It Solve?
Many people, especially those in the chronically ill community, struggle to find tools that merge practicality, inspiration, and emotional support. The Note to Self Spinning Pin fills a gap by offering daily affirmations in a unique, interactive format. It serves as a conversation starter, a self-care tool, and an uplifting accessory all in one. Instead of having to search for motivation, this pin brings the motivation to you, one spin at a time.

What Makes It Unique, Special, or Useful — and for Whom?
This pin is special and unique because of its spinning design, which allows wearers to engage with it intentionally. Each turn reveals a new affirmation, making it interactive and fun, while also serving as a daily mindfulness practice. Crafted with high-quality materials and attention to detail, it’s both durable and stylish.

It’s especially useful for individuals who appreciate small, intentional reminders to stay positive and focused — whether they’re navigating a chronic illness, facing life’s challenges, or simply looking for daily encouragement. The vibrant yet elegant design ensures it complements any outfit or accessory, making it a versatile addition to anyone’s collection.

Ultimately, the Note to Self Spinning Enamel Pin is for anyone who needs a little extra light in their day — a reminder that they are loved, enough, and capable of doing hard things. It’s a celebration of resilience, strength, and community.

Do you remember the moment you realized the world needed this product?
Absolutely. The moment we realized the world needed the Note to Self Spinning Enamel Pin was a deeply personal one. It happened during a conversation with a fellow MS thriver. We chronically ill people carry the daily weight of how challenging it can be to hold onto positivity in the face of constant struggles — physical, emotional, and mental. Someone mentioned how even small affirmations, like sticky notes on a mirror, made a big difference in their day-to-day life, but they wished there was a way to carry those reminders with them everywhere.

That’s when the idea clicked: What if we created something portable, tangible, and interactive that could deliver those same affirmations in a way that felt as personal and comforting as a handwritten note to yourself? It wasn’t just about creating a pin; it was about designing a tool for encouragement, something that could literally spin joy and positivity into someone’s day.

Why That Moment Was So Impactful
That moment stood out because it underscored a gap in the marketplace: There weren’t many products that combined functionality, emotional support, and thoughtful design in a way that truly resonated with the lived experiences of people in our community. The need wasn’t for another accessory. It was for a meaningful reminder of hope and resilience. I realized that an enamel pin could become a symbol of inner strength and a daily reminder to persevere.

What We’ve Learned Along the Way
Through creating and sharing this pin, we’ve learned how important it is to design with intentionality. The affirmations we chose are not random — they’re phrases that reflect the voices of people in our community, words they need to hear and feel on hard days. The spinning mechanism makes it engaging, allowing the wearer to intentionally pause and choose the message they need most in the moment.

This product fills a gap by blending emotional well-being with a wearable, stylish piece that sparks joy, supports mental health, and builds connection. Many people have shared how it’s become a personal ritual, helping them start their day with intention or find calm in stressful moments. Knowing that something so simple can make such a profound impact has been incredibly humbling.

The journey has taught me that the most impactful products aren’t just beautiful, but they also solve real problems, meet emotional needs, and create opportunities for connection and self-love. I’m honored that the Note to Self Spinning Enamel Pin has become exactly that for so many people.

Have you tried any fun, non-traditional marketing ideas? If so, we’d love to hear the story and details.
Absolutely! One of my favorite non-traditional marketing ideas involved bringing the Note to Self Spinning Enamel Pin to life — literally! I found a vendor who created a life-size replica of the pin as a spinning wheel, complete with the same eight affirmations featured on the product, plus two blank spaces where we could write in fun surprises with a dry erase marker, like freebies or giveaways.

I debuted this big spinning wheel at We Are ILL’s Wellness Week(end) during the Wellness Marketplace, where we had a vendor table for Poppy + Monarch. Attendees absolutely loved it! The wheel was interactive and brought a sense of fun and community to my table. People were drawn to the bright, colorful design, and spinning the wheel became an event highlight. Every spin came with an opportunity to win something uplifting, such as a free sticker.

This approach not only showcased the pin in a memorable and engaging way but also allowed me to connect with my audience on a deeper level. Seeing the excitement and joy on people’s faces as they spun the wheel really reinforced the power of our affirmations. It was about creating a moment of positivity and connection.

This experience showed me how impactful it can be to step outside traditional marketing and create something interactive and experiential. By combining creativity with our mission, we were able to make a lasting impression while spreading the message of encouragement and resilience that Poppy + Monarch stands for. I can’t wait to bring the magic of the spinning wheel to other markets and in-person events!

You can see the life-size spinning wheel in action on Poppy + Monarch’s Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCkL9nKziSV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

What are you most thankful for?
I’m most thankful for the community that has formed around the work I do — both through Poppy + Monarch and We Are ILL, a patient advocacy organization for which I serve as Director of Communications. It’s incredibly humbling to see how something as simple as a pin or a shared story can spark connection, uplift someone’s day, or even inspire them to take up space in their own unique way.

I’m also grateful for the moments of creativity and clarity that come, even in the midst of challenges. Having been on my own journey with MS, I deeply appreciate the ability to channel those experiences into products and initiatives that resonate with others. Knowing that what I create can serve as a source of encouragement or empowerment for someone else is a gift I never take for granted.

Lastly, I’m thankful for the little wins — whether it’s a kind word from a customer, the sparkle in someone’s eye when they spin the life-size pin wheel, or simply being here to do the work I love. It’s a reminder that purpose and joy can thrive, even in unexpected places.