Exploring Life & Business with Brandy Maxwell of Simply Created & Designed

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Maxwell.

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like?
Being an entrepreneur has always been a dream of mine. Being my own boss and making my own schedule. At the beginning of COVID-19 a lot of people were getting laid off around me. Meaning my co-workers, friends, and some family. Also, at that time I went through an unexpected shift in my life. With everything that was happening. I started to think I need to have something not only to fall back on, but to start thinking about leaving a legacy for my daughter, generational wealth, and freedom. I thought to myself what better time to start than now while I’m working.

In my mind I’m thinking this is such a risky and scary leap to take at a time when people are losing jobs and small businesses were closing.

I thought about my 3-year-old daughter and by taking this leap of faith how one day I will achieve the financial independence I’ve always wanted. The happiness is knowing that I will be doing something that I love. That in the future will put me in a position to have more flexibility to spend more time with my daughter.

Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth ride. In the beginning I came across challenges with designs, whether it was machine malfunction, faulty design files, design sizing issues or heat pressing imperfections. Also dealing with vendors not having available stock. Items not selling as I thought they would. Realizing I was spending more money than I was bringing in.

Just learning the business ins and outs in general. How to operate a small business. Learning how to manage the financial side of the business. I’ve learned so much along the way that I wish I knew in the beginning.

I tell people all the time that tell me they are going to start a small business. The number one key is to NOT GIVE UP! There are so many minor or big challenges that you will come across. The key is to learn from it and evolve.

I had to learn patience, have faith, and trust the process. I’ve never been at a point where I wanted to give up, but you do have those days where you question was this the best decision. When you feel like that it’s time to go back to the drawing board and regroup. Think of new ways or ideas to grow your business.

Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
Know that I love crafting. I’m astonished every time I get feedback from my customers on their excitement and joy of the product received.

I create custom and personalized gifts, such as adult t-shirts, kid’s t-shirts, tumblers, coffee mugs, jewelry, I sew, I do embroidery and so much more!

Each order I receive I give it 100 % and more. I strive to have great communication with my customers. In the crafting world you have a lot of similar shops that sell items that are alike. However, I make it a point to have different designs and a lot of options to choose from. I want my shop to reach a multitude of people.

I’m extremely proud of where I am today with my business. I have not always been crafty. If someone would have told me 10 years ago Brandy, you will start a crafting business. I wouldn’t have believed them. Before I started my business, I stepped into a world that I had no knowledge of and hit the ground running. Once I started creating gifts it was my mother who said, “you can sell this stuff”. It started out as a hobby and turned into a business. I am self-taught and I am so proud of myself. The best crafting days are the ones where my daughter is crafting with me.

My company strives to create quality products for our customers. I envision my company 5 years from now being sold in local small businesses and becoming more involved in my community.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least about our city?
I love my city. I like the events they have at the Crown Complex, downtown and at Festival Park.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simplycreatedanddesigned.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycreatedanddesigned/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Created-Designed-LLC-101188315497847/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCTKryVdc1mMGcAM7qRJwA
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/screatedanddesigned

Image Credits
Photos by me and created with Placeit.