Art & Craft, DIY ideas and Tutorials - Craftbuds
  • All Craft
  • Needlecraft
    • Crochet
    • Knitting
    • Quilting
    • Sewing
    • Embroidery
  • Jewelry Making
  • Paper Craft
  • Engraving
  • Collectibles
43K Followers
24K Followers
404 Subscribers
Subscribe
Art & Craft, DIY ideas and Tutorials – Craftbuds
Art & Craft, DIY ideas and Tutorials – Craftbuds
  • All Craft
  • Needlecraft
    • Crochet
    • Knitting
    • Quilting
    • Sewing
    • Embroidery
  • Jewelry Making
  • Paper Craft
  • Engraving
  • Collectibles
  • Business

Craft Retail: Running a Business to Have More Family Time

  • Lindsay
  • Posted: May 27, 2011
Total
22
Shares
22
0
0

We’ll announce the Giveaway Day winners later tonight! Until then, check out this great crafty business advice from Marla of Memory Miser.

Marla Gibson
In 2005, Marla Gibson decided to get out of her career as a special ed teacher and start her own craft retail business. Today, she runs Memory Miser, a store selling Provo Craft (Cricut) products and the AccuQuilt line. I got the chance to ask Marla a bit about her journey from full-time employee to business owner, and you’ll love what she has to say!

1) When and how did you get started with your Memory Miser business?

I  started when my youngest was a year old, in December of 2005. My husband had started a new job that required long hours and a lot of time away from home. I was teaching special education and had so many after school meetings. My babies were at daycare way too many hours. I told my mom that I wanted to stay home and needed to come up with a plan. She said, “Sell that machine you like so much.” Within 2 weeks, I had become a Provo Craft retailer, sold through my first order on eBay, and had the website running. We grew quickly thanks to some very kind customers who spread the word. Until this past spring, we didn’t advertise, so it has always been based on customers referrals. I am proud of that.

2) What does a typical day look like for you?

My day starts with getting the girls ready for school, taking them, and then helping out there for an hour or two some days. Other days, I drop them off and go straight to work. My days are usually taken up with team meetings, email/phone calls, eBay/website promotions and book keeping. I usually work until 1pm, then go home for lunch and start “mom” duties. I then pick my girls up from school and hang out with them and whatever friends happen to come over. Once they are occupied, I pick up where I left off with work from home, cook dinner, and throw in more laundry. After we eat, I run to whatever practice they have. (I’m currently coaching Elise’s softball team and teaching Abigail to pitch, so its a little crazy right now.) We usually have about 30 minutes of quiet family time before they go to bed, then its time with hubby (often with my laptop, too.) Some days are a little nutty and I always work several hours on the weekend, but its really great to have the flexibility to work in chunks. I never miss an honor’s assembly or event at their school!

Memory Miser logo

3) What are the biggest challenges with owning and managing your business?

The stress! There is such a low profit margin on the majority of what we sell, every dollar has to be watched carefully which takes a lot of time. If I slack off, I always see it in the bottom line. The other big stressor occurs when something goes wrong. It doesn’t matter what plans or commitments I had, I’m the one who has to fix it.

4) What do you love most about your business?

Each day is different. I enjoy being in the office as much as in the warehouse. I actually had to unload a freight truck full of pallets this winter with a forklift- twice! I was scared to death, but it was also fun to learn. I’m doubtful that this will be a skill I’ll have cause to use again, but who knows! I love seeing all the new products and getting to play with them. I love when I get to answer the phones and talk to our customers. Each day is like hanging out with friends. There is so much joking and laughing throughout the building… I just think I am very lucky.

5) Do you have tips for others who are interested in getting into craft retail?

Don’t get overwhelmed. Take it in chunks and keep plowing through your to-do list. That line on your grade school report card, “Uses time wisely,” will never be more applicable than when you own your business.

Giveaway!

Memory Miser is generously giving away a Cricut Cartridge to one lucky reader! One winner will receive the Cricut Give a Hoot cartridge (one of Lindsay’s favorites), pictured below.

Cricut Give a Hoot cartridge

Giveaway now closed. The winner of the Give a Hoot cartridge is Niki!

To enter:

1) Follow Craft Buds (this blog) and leave a comment, or tell us if you already follow. (one entry)

2) Subscribe to the Memory Miser mailing list, and leave a comment here saying you did! (one entry)

3) Facebook or Tweet about this giveaway, and leave another comment. (one entry each) You may copy and paste the tweet below:

#Win a #Cricut Cartridge! #Giveaway now at @CraftBuds thanks to @MemoryMiser and @provocraft! https://tinyurl.com/3kkvgm6

Three chances to win! Giveaway open in the U.S. and Canada, and one winner will be chosen via Random.org on Wednesday, June 1 at 8pm (EST).

Total
22
Shares
Share 22
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • cartridges
  • craft retail
  • cricut
  • discount
  • ebay
  • handmade business
  • memory miser
  • online store
  • provo craft
  • retailer
  • scrapbook supplies
Lindsay

Hi, I’m Lindsay Conner, an author, modern quilter, editor, and founder of the Lindsay Sews blog. I’m a Baby Lock ambassador and Stash Books author who loves writing modern sewing and quilt patterns for beginners and weekend sewists! I live in Indianapolis, Indiana with my husband, son, and two loveable cats, Murph and Chloe. I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I saved my dollar bills for trips with my mom to Jo-Ann Fabrics, where I’d find new floss for friendship bracelets or mini cross-stitch kits. Because my mom has always shared my love for crafting, she bought me my first sewing machine, a Hello Kitty Janome.

Previous Article
  • Fresh Picks

Fresh Picks for Wednesday, 5.25.11

  • Lindsay
  • Posted: May 25, 2011
View Post
Next Article
  • Giveaways

Giveaway winners

  • Lindsay
  • Posted: May 27, 2011
View Post
You May Also Like
Foiled Business Cards
View Post
  • Business
  • Craft

How To Make Business Cards On Cricut? The Complete Guide

  • Mahnoor Malik Awan
  • Posted: November 23, 2022
Best Printer For Cricut
View Post
  • Business
  • Craft
  • Paper Craft
  • Printable

Best Printer For Cricut – 5 Excellent Printers in 2023

  • Mahnoor Malik Awan
  • Posted: November 17, 2022 - Updated at: March 1, 2023
Top Student Business Ideas- How to Make Money From Needlework
View Post
  • Business

Top Student Business Ideas: How to Make Money From Needlework

  • Mary
  • Posted: October 14, 2022 - Updated at: October 19, 2022
How to Organize Your Workspace at Home?
View Post
  • Business

How to Organize Your Workspace at Home?

  • Mary
  • Posted: October 14, 2022 - Updated at: October 19, 2022
How To Decorate Your Dorm Room?
View Post
  • Business

How To Decorate Your Dorm Room?

  • Mary
  • Posted: October 14, 2022 - Updated at: October 19, 2022
View Post
  • Craft Book Month

TRAWRzers: Sew Adorkable Book Review + Giveaway!

  • Lindsay
  • Posted: September 25, 2015 - Updated at: June 4, 2020
View Post
  • Business

Monetize Your Craft Blog with Affiliate Ads

  • Lindsay
  • Posted: July 1, 2015 - Updated at: July 15, 2020
View Post
  • Business

Up & Coming Designer: Colette Moscrop

  • Lindsay
  • Posted: May 6, 2015 - Updated at: July 15, 2020
Social Links
Facebook 43K Followers
Pinterest 24K Followers
YouTube 404 Subscribers

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Art & Craft, DIY ideas and Tutorials – Craftbuds
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Contact
Find fun and creative craft ideas and tutorials across various categories such as Knitting, Quilting, Sewing, PaperCraft, Jewelry Making and much more

Input your search keywords and press Enter.