Daily Inspiration: Meet Allison Woods

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Woods.

Hi Allison, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have wanted to sell my hand-crafted goods for the past 8+ years but have always decided it wasn’t the “right time” or made excuses for why I shouldn’t go for it. I went to school for biological sciences and am continuing my studies in cancer research, so I have always had a very busy schedule and large workload combined with low financial security while being a student for the past several years. However, in March of this year, I was in a near-fatal car accident when another driver drove head-on into my lane and into my car while going 55+ mph. I am extremely lucky to have walked away from that accident without losing my life. Since the accident, I have realized now more than ever that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I decided to stop waiting for the “right time” and go after this entrepreneurial dream to sell my handmade goods that I have had for several years. So. Mogipi Crafts was born. It is a small business run by myself (Allison) and my partner (Logan) that is focused on bringing unique, handmade goods to the community! 

Once we started Mogipi Crafts, I started applying to local markets all around the Triangle area and made a website and social media accounts for Mogipi Crafts. Since starting, I’ve absolutely LOVED it. My favorite thing is going to markets and seeing how strangers react to the things I have. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that people want to spend their hard-earned money on something I made. What has been even better is seeing return customers that have purchased from me multiples times. It is so insanely cool when people come back and want to continue to get items from Mogipi Crafts!! 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As someone who has never studied business or anything like that, this was such a huge learning curve for me. Trying to figure out what I needed to do to get my small business registered, how to get a sales license, taxes, setting up a website, shipping, etc. has not been an easy feat. It was so confusing. I have actually worked on a guide for other small business owners who are starting up, so they know what to do. Just trying to figure out what exactly it was that needed to be done was difficult. Also, since I was wanting to do in-person craft markets, I had to figure out logistics for setting up my booth, which was definitely bumpy at first, but is very smooth now!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently, I focus on making hypoallergenic earrings and a variety of sewn goods (reversible totes, keychains, items for pets, etc.). At the base of what I do, I am a multi passionate person who loves to dabble in all kinds of artistic endeavors. In fact, for a long time, something that kept me from starting Mogipi Crafts was simply trying to figure out what I wanted to focus on. Being such a multi-passionate person, I worried that if I did not stick to only one “thing” and target only one niche market, it would not be successful. I no longer think this is true. I think there are so many people in the world like me who are multi-passionate and would love to support small businesses who supply a variety of unique, handmade goods. 

I offer a variety of fun and unique items that seem to bring people in. A comment I always hear at markets is “Oh my God I’ve never seen that before, I love this!!”. I sell earrings that are fun and kitschy- not for the faint of heart (i.e., my care bear earrings, alien earrings, rubber ducky and rubber frog earrings, etc.) as well as earrings that are pretty and dainty (natural gemstone earrings, crystal butterfly earrings, etc.). I feel very strongly about working towards being your most authentic self and feeling happy and beautiful in your own skin. Speaking from experience, fun accessories are a great way to boost your confidence and represent your personality, so I love seeing people pick out a pair of earrings or tote bag that they feel matches their personality! I also really love when people see something and get it as a gift for another person because they think the person would love it. I think I’m most proud of my commitment to authenticity and uniqueness. I lived a long part of my life trying to fit into a mold of what society told me I should look like, how I should act, what I should or should not wear, etc. As I have come into my own, I’ve realized I don’t want to live my life according to these cookie-cutter societal standards. I try to translate that to my work, and I think my fun, carefree, creative style definitely shows that! 

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned is to just be authentic to yourself- don’t worry about fitting in. Do what makes you happy and feels right to you! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mogipicrafts.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mogipi.crafts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mogipicrafts
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mogipi.crafts