Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay McCuen.
Hi Lindsay, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been pursuing a degree in microbiology for some years now and have done a lot of research in the field. I thoroughly enjoy science and will soon graduate and possibly head into a career. While going to school on and off we were blessed with our three children. First two precious boys, and last my little princess.
After she was born, I decided to stay home with them. I love every minute of it, but after working full time my entire adult life, I felt like I needed something to do just for me and to help support our family. In August of 2018, I started Lexi Lynn Bowtique. I had been buying my daughter tons of bows. As a new girl mom, I was into everything feminine! They often were quite expensive or seemed of lesser quality. I set out to create a truly handmade shop that was affordable for moms like me. As a typically left-brained type, this was a bit out of my comfort zone, but the challenge was a welcome one. I have been able to stretch my artistic side and learn a great deal. I wanted something unique because there are hundreds of bow shops out there. I make my bows completely by hand. I hand cut, sew, adorn, etc. There are no machines involved in what I make. I learned to sew by hand from my Maw Maw who was my greatest friend in the world. When I sit with a sewing needle and thread in my hands, I can feel close to her again, even though she is no longer with us.
Most importantly, I have met some of the most incredible people through my business. I have had the pleasure of doing collaborations with other moms who own small handmade shops like mine, as well as meet a whole new group of moms who became my customers and friends. The community that has spring up around my little shop is such a gift.
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?
As a mom, there is never any shortage of challenges. Just juggling a day-to-day schedule with three kids and a businessman can be a miracle in itself some weeks. Specifically with my shop, it was challenging to get off the ground and find my stride. I tried a lot of styles, materials, and such that didn’t quite work out. When I began it, there wasn’t much in the way of tutorials or ready to assemble sets like you see in the market now. Those first bows I made were rough looking back, but it’s Greta to see how far my product had come! It took a while to build a customer base as well because I began at a time when shops were popping up left and right.
2020 hit my shop hard like it did most other small businesses. I would say it was good overall though because when I wasn’t as busy with sales, I was able to focus on the details of my business that make it appealing. I did things like improving my product photography, growing my Facebook VIP, and finding an aesthetic that fit me and my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Handmade bows & accessories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etsy.com/shop/thelexilynnbowtique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexilynnbowtique
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/223120481678676/?ref=share_group_link
