Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Morse.
Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My Etsy shop is named TwinMomDesignStudio because I am blessed with a very hardworking husband that gives me the opportunity to be a stay at home mom to our three year old twin daughters. Our miracle babies! They are my everything. They are my why. I am lucky to be able to stay home with them. Crafting is my stress relief. I love making crafty things. It is even more fun to now have it as a business and seeing so many of my happy items are sent out for others to enjoy.
My husband and I had a rough road to parenthood. A 6 year infertility struggle, dozens of fertility and IVF cycles, and 6 heartbreaking miscarriages before we were blessed with our twin daughters.
Due to uncontrollable health issues (mine) the girls were born by emergency C-section, 2 months premature at 31 weeks and 2 days and were little peanuts. They spent time in the NICU and both underwent frightening open heart surgery as tiny infants for multiple different congenital heart defects. I am thrilled to say that now they are doing wonderful!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There’s a lot of competition on Etsy but I seem to be doing well! I do my own thing and don’t worry about what someone else is doing.
It’s been a learning experience especially on the business side of things.
Figuring out what price point to market your items at and taking into consideration competition, current cost of materials, the value of your time, if there’s been a postal shipping cost increase.
Doing a lot of research about what you can and cannot sell due to trademark and copyright.
Keeping track of expenses for tax purposes. Registering with the state to pay sales tax and with the federal government as well.
It’s more than a hobby it’s my job and as such it needs attention to be able to grow and succeed.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I opened up my Etsy shop in November 2016 and have been having so much fun since! I bought a vinyl cutting machine and taught myself how to use the design software. Started making sample items so I could get my shop up and running.
I personalize items and gifts of all kinds for all ages! Party Favors, Tumbler Cups, Wine Glasses and so much more! Birthdays, Weddings/Engagements and Holidays! I do custom orders as well for those that have a new idea in mind! I can accommodate orders of all sizes. New items are added frequently to my shop!
I am most proud of taking the chance to open up an Etsy shop. Of course there’s the initial worry that no one will buy anything! But I’m happy to say that since opening day, I now have over 580 sales. It may not seem like a huge number, but it’s rare that 1 sale is just for one single item. One sale may be 100 bubble wand party favors, or a dozen wine glasses for a fun girl’s weekend away. So in that aspect, there are thousands of my happy items out there and that is so exciting!
What were you like growing up?
I was literally the absolute shyest kid ever growing up. I would say in some ways now I still am!
I am the oldest child of a very crafty mom and a firefighter dad. I have two younger sisters who are also crafty. I was always into crafty things like scrapbooking photo books.
Contact Info:
- Address: Maynard, Massachusetts
- Website: Etsy.com/shop/twinmomdesignstudio
- Email: twinmomdesignstudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/twinmomdesignstudio
- Facebook: Facebook.com/twinmomdesignstudio
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