Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Edwards.
Hi Shay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I guess it’s safe to say, “pressure can either burst a pipe of create a diamond”. Jan 2016, I lost a job that I loved and thought I would grow with. As a parent, I didn’t have time to sit and cry, that wouldn’t feed my daughter. So I did what I loved, made custom baskets and glasses for friends and family. I have always loved crafts but my approach towards it became different. It was either find and excuse or make it happen-and hence the journey begin. With no real plan or goal besides make it happen, I birthed “Glitz & Things.” Anything craft-related or involving glitter I tried, from baskets to glitter glasses (with the stick on letters). I truly had no knowledge of the craft world and was just winging it.
As the years have passed, I set back and poured my heart into my business and found my true passion. I love creating gifts that are truly from the heart. I created a plan and truly thought about “why” I was doing it. My purpose was to create beautiful gifts but leave something for my daughter to be proud of, and in 2018, Aubre’s Heart LLC blossomed from the original creation of “Glitz & Things”. My daughter is my heart and she now has something named in honor of her! Something she can be proud of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
NO!! The biggest struggle in the craft world is the self-motivation and drive to continue learning while putting your own twist on it. Establishing yourself in the craft world is like walking down the bread aisle of the grocery store. You can become overwhelmed and discouraged because EVERYONE is doing it. For instance, I love making custom bling cups & tumblers and wrapped party favors.. but living in Atlanta. You can find a treat wrapper just as quick as you can find a nightclub, lol. I would say the one of the hardest part is having someone attempt to devalue your work because someone else offers similar services for much lesser. You have to constantly remind yourself that this is business, so personal feelings must be kept aside.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m currently a full-time employee at Delta Dental, full-time owner/operator of Aubre’s Heart LLC, and mother of a newly pre-teen (bless me… lol). Aubre’s Heart LLC is known for creating custom gifts from the heart for our fellow hearts. Our items vary from custom graduation sublimated stoles, to custom drinkware (shot glasses, glitter glasses), to dinner menus, or even adult drinking games. We specialize in customized tumblers such as Bling Tumblers & Sublimation, Group or 1:1 Beginner’s Bling Class, as well as custom wrapped party favors (chips, juice, candy bars, etc). We are known for our outstanding customer service, timelines for completion, and quality products.
I am most proud of my growth knowledge-wise in my field of crafts and business. What started as a hobby transitioned into something amazing. What sets me apart is me. There is no other “Shay” or “Aubre’s Heart”. There are many others that do similar services, but none that truly believe that each person or even order is special. I pour me into my business and therefore, it is felt by my customers, and therefore they believe in and buy into and from me!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
One of the most important lessons learned due to the Covid-19 Crisis is to be more accessible as a company. Being a home-based business has multiple changes, but those can increase when something simple like a website is not available. So the main lessons gained from Covid-19 were accessibility and clear expectations as a company. We recently launched our website, www.aubresheart.com, and as a company, established more defined guidelines in regards to operation. This is of extreme importance, especially since I am the sole machine that makes Aubre’s Heart LLC operate.
Contact Info:
- Email: aubresheart@gmail.com
- Website: www.aubresheart.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/aubresheart
- Facebook: facebook.com/aubresheart
Image Credits
Photo credits: AnTonia Jackson & Elijah Bell
