Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Travers.
Meg, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Art has always been a passion of mine. From the time I was a preschooler I would spend my time doodling and drawing pictures, in high school, half of my day was spent in different advanced art classes, where I quickly learned that drawing was my niche. I decided not to pursue an art education in college, however, because I honestly did not think that I would be able to make a living once I graduated.
Fast forward eleven years and I was a married mother of two who had just decided to become a stay-at-home mom because of my husband’s work schedule. About 4 months later, I had adjusted into the “stay-at-home mom life,” but I felt like I was missing a piece, and starting to lose my identity. I had kept my hand in various art projects (thank you Pinterest!) but I had also started making chalkboard signs. This quickly became popular with my friends, who had friends asking me to make them x, y, and z. On a whim in June of 2013, I decided to open an online store on this site I had heard of called Etsy. I did not think anything would come of it. I had to put in a shop name in order to open the store, so I typed in my daughter’s nickname: My Little Midge. I had full intention on changing it, but it kind of stuck. I still get people who, when they meet me, go “You’re little Midge!” or “You’re Midge!” so it’s kind of fun. But when my now-8-year-old daughter, Bridget, is with me, she will happily say that SHE is, in fact, the “Midge.”
Since I opened My Little Midge in June of 2013, I have had over 2,000 sales under my belt (www.mylittlemidge.com), and I have also sold worldwide on that platform. I have also created custom artwork pieces internationally, am the designated hand lettering artist for several event venues across the continental US, and I have worked several times making custom pieces for Matilda Jane Clothing (www.matildajaneclothing.com).
I am best known locally for my artwork featured at Fiori (www.fioriflorals.com) as a regular vendor, as well as several other establishments in and around my hometown of Franklin, MA. Several local businesses where you might have seen my work include La Cantina Winery, The Cake Bar, Franklin School for the Performing Arts, Intermission Cafe, & Twist Bakery to name a few.
In April 2018, I launched Travers Hand Lettering Co., (www.travershandletteringco.com) a standalone website with an e-commerce shop and full portfolio of my work to date. I am offering services (such as my popular window and mirror hand lettered seating charts) as well as my current and popular inventory. THLC is for the most a rebrand and hopefully a new direction for my business. I will keep My Little Midge on Etsy as it is established and a great way to connect with repeat and future clients. My long term goal is to have THLC for events, weddings, and home decor, and MLM for my most popular items such as my birthday chalkboards and first day of school reusable chalkboards.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Owning your own business is not easy. Owning your own business where you work from home with two little ones is even more difficult. There were nights when I literally pulled all-nighters to get orders done. But one thing I promised myself was that my kids would ALWAYS come first. The all-nighters were worth it in the end, because the kids grow so quickly. Now they are both in school full time, and I can look back without regret. Even though it was a blur 😉
I think a lot of people don’t realize that when you own your own business, you wear all the hats. As much as I would love nothing more than just hand lettering all day and making things look pretty, that’s not all that I do. You have to make your listings look nice and professional. You have to keep track of orders. You have to answer emails. You have to shop for the supplies (which sometimes takes all morning). You are the carpenter, marketing team, accountant, every aspect of the business, all by yourself. I think that’s why I have developed close relationships with other local business owners; it’s nice to have that support of someone who is doing what you’re doing. It’s so important to support each other because when it’s rough, it’s rough…but when it’s good, it really is awesome. I love watching other businesses grow and flourish because I know how hard they worked for it, which makes it mean so much more.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about My Little Midge – what should we know?
I specialize in hand lettering. Hand lettering is part typography, part modern calligraphy. Hand lettering is a lot more free flowing and whimsical than standard type and calligraphy. I love creating shapes and fitting words together to create a quote that is as meaningful as it is aesthetic to look at.
I would say that I am known for my chalkboards as well as writing on just about anything. I have created art pieces out of everything from an antique saw to a globe. During the holiday season last year, I had made these Franklin ornaments where I took a plain sphere ornament and hand lettered “Franklin 02038” on it, and they flew off the shelves! There were a couple weeks where I didn’t do much else other than make those ornaments; I made over 100 of them! I love it though, and it meant so much that something that I created would be that special to go on someone’s tree year after year–it was an honor!
Another thing I am known for is my seating charts, I mostly get requests for chalkboards, however I would say a close second is seating charts on mirrors. It can get tedious, but the end results are spectacular and makes every bit of it worth it. I think mirror signage might actually be my favorite!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
As I was saying before, it’s important to support each other. We have many independently owned businesses in Franklin, and I feel like as a community, there is a great deal of support for each other, There seems to be a mutual respect, and I do think we encourage each other–I think it’s important to have that reminder once in a while that we are doing a great job from someone who is going through what you are going through.
Michelle Greenwood, who owns Fiori, has been a great help in terms of my work locally. I was already well established in Franklin by the time she had opened her shop in Franklin, but when we started working together, it took it to a whole other level. We would brainstorm and come up with these great ideas of new products. We worked really well together. It was a mutually beneficial relationship since I was already established but didn’t have a brick and mortar store, I would sell my products there, and provide an additional new customer base on top of her already popular store. I sell exclusive items there, so it’s great for the customers too because they can go there and find art pieces of mine that they can’t find anywhere else. It’s been great to see her business grow as well, I love her new space and am genuinely happy for her. Michelle also was a great help in kicking off Travers Hand Lettering Co., she helped start up my website and gave me the encouragement to branch out from My Little Midge.
Pricing:
- Prints Available starting at $9.95
- Custom requests always welcome
- Please visit www.mylittlemidge.com or www.travershandletteringco.com for more information and pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mylittlemidge.com and www.travershandletteringco.com
- Email: travershandletteringco@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mylittlemidge1 and www.instagram.com/travershandlettering
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mylittlemidge and www.facebook.com/travershandletteringco
Image Credit:
-Focus Designs and Photos
-Walker Studios LLC
-John Defiora
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
