Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Martinez-Wayman.
Hi Claudia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Snuggly Monkey began as an Etsy shop back in 2008 where I sold handmade Waldolf-inspired baby dolls, baby slings and blankets. Through my years as a handmade Etsy shop owner I came to realize that while I really enjoy making things, I don’t necessarily enjoy making many copies of the same thing. I also did not enjoy the pressure of needing to produce a certain amount of inventory to keep my handmade shop alive and growing.
As I started to transition from the handmade Etsy world into becoming a full time craft supply store owner by 2011, I began to feel like I was finding my ideal place. My educational background is in Education. My previous work as a trainer and in community organizing lends itself really well to my work as a shop owner. So, being able to merge my love for stitching with my background in teaching and community building felt like a very natural transition. As a craft shop owner, I still get plenty of opportunities to stitch and create, but I get to do it on my terms – without the pressure of needing to sell what I make and with the freedom to make whatever I want to make ( and just once!). I love helping to support others on their creative journeys.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road of entrepreneurship is a bumpy and windy one to be sure. My background is in education and I never imagined that I would one day own my own business, so I have had to learn everything from web design to bookkeeping to marketing and advertising on my own along the way. One of the biggest challenges has been taking the risks necessary to grow my business from a hobby side hustle to a full time store. Giving up a steady paycheck in order to be able to invest my time into. my business and making the financial investment in putting systems in place that help the shop run more efficiently and effectively were difficult decisions to make, but well worth it in the end.
Establishing a good work/life balance is a constant challenge and work in progress. Owning an online business that ships globally means that customers can reach out 24/7 and finding the balance between providing the exceptional customer service I strive for and setting boundaries for my time away from work is something I am always working on and striving to do better. Moving the shop into a physical location and out of my home last summer was a big step in the right direction.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Snuggly Monkey is a modern needlework craft supply shop. We are known for our wide selection of specialty threads for embroidery and unique Sashiko embroidery supplies. We stock high-quality supplies for hand embroidery, Sashiko, and cross-stitch, as well as fabric and notions for quilting and sewing.
While I sell many items I can purchase in big box stores, I focus a lot on searching out materials I cannot sell in big box stores or online marketplaces. I work with many small, independent designers and manufacturers from around the world to source ethically made supplies that are unique and well made. As makers, we spend many hours creating items that we gift to others as an expression of our love or that will decorate our spaces and express a little bit of who we are. I believe high-quality tools and supplies make creation more enjoyable and long-lasting for the finished product.
The unique selection of items is one thing that sets Snuggly Monkey apart. The other big piece of the puzzle is focusing on exceptional customer service. I make myself available to customers for questions and advice to the best of my ability. I spend a lot of time on education – how do you use these supplies, project inspiration, etc. I test out just about everything I sell so that I can answer questions as they arise. That customer service and knowledge level usually are not found at big box stores. I truly love what I do and do my best to convey that love and enthusiasm to my customers.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think that my strong work ethic has contributed to the growth and success of Snuggly Monkey. I have been a hard worker my entire life. Applying that level of commitment, time, and dedication to my business has been the driving force behind its success.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.snugglymonkey.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/snugglymonkey
- Facebook: facebook.com/snugglymonkey
- Twitter: twitter.com/Snuggly_Monkey
- Youtube: youtube.com/c/snugglymonkey
- Other: pinterest.com/snugglymonkey
