4 minute read
Business Spotlights
BUSINESSS p o t l i g h ts
KIRSTEN SHREWSBERRY, Active
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Name of your business:
Strawberry Designs
Do you have a business partner? If so, who?
Yes, my husband Garrett and I own and operate Strawberry Designs together.
What services does your business provide?
Strawberry Designs started as my husband’s woodworking hobby grew, and we started to get inquiries for purchasing some of the items he was making. Now, Strawberry Designs has expanded to include gift items like personalized cutting boards, custom furniture, and children’s wooden toys. In addition, my graphic designs for custom laser engravings have grown to contract graphic design work to include logos, stationary design, and more!
We reach a lot of families with young children and fellow entrepreneurs— especially realtors! Custom cutting boards are a wonderful closing gift, and our nursery door signs are a great way to welcome a new baby home. We’re also launching a line of baby’s first Christmas ornaments this winter, I’m really excited to see those on trees this year.
How did you decide to start this business?
We decided to start Strawberry Designs out of a desire to have a creative outlet together. From designing new products to selecting finishes, it’s been a great opportunity to work together and ultimately make things we found both useful and beautiful.
What has been the biggest risk you’ve taken?
The biggest risk would probably be investing in larger, more professional-grade equipment. We had several options when considering new woodworking tools, but ultimately outfitting the woodshop for what we want to be able to do in the future even if it’s more than we do currently has been our biggest guiding principle. Also, I think there’s always a risk with putting yourself out there as a small business owner. It’s hard to be vulnerable and share something you work really hard on with your name on it, not someone else’s.
What has been the biggest win or payoff?
We started making pickler arches and ramps out of a desire to make something for our own toddler, but seeing videos and pictures of arches we made and sold years ago still being used daily really hits home. It’s nice to see people value the product we work so hard to design and create—not just for the “instagrammable moment,” but for years of use and love.
Any announcements or future plans?
With the holiday season coming up, we’ll be designing baby’s first Christmas ornaments. Custom cutting boards, ring dishes, and nursery signs are a beautiful gift for the holidays, but being a small business, we can only take so many orders. I would really encourage people to reach out early to ensure your gift is ready before the holiday season.
SAIGE SOLOMON, Sustainer
Name of your business:
Closets in Order
Do you have a business partner? If so, who?
Yes, my business partner is Lauren Barré. She and her husband, Brad, are my husband and my best friends. It is so much fun working with her.
What services does your business provide?
Closets in Order provides custom storage solutions for your home and office. We design closets, pantries, home offices, entryways, garages, craft rooms, commercial offices, and so much more! We also offer professional organization services for both our custom spaces and existing client spaces.
We really feel anyone can benefit from our services. Custom closets and storage areas really increase the value of someone’s home. Additionally, organized spaces help calm the chaos, and we have seen it improve our clients’ daily lives immensely.
How did you decide to start this business?
I honestly love telling this story because it is incredible how this all fell into place. My mother actually started Closets in Order almost 20 years ago when I was in college. In late 2019/early 2020, she and my step-father decided to move from Shreveport to Fort Worth to start Inspired Closets DFW. At that time, our best friends the Barrés approached my mom about buying Closets in Order. In the summer of 2020, I made the decision to resign from my position at Centenary College that I had held for 13+ years, and shortly after that while we were on vacation with the Barrés (we vacation with them every year) they asked me if I would be interested in coming on board as a 50/50 owner of Closets in Order. It was a no-brainer! I felt like organization and closet design was in my blood.
What has been the biggest risk you’ve taken?
Probably the biggest risk was leaving the comfort zone of my job at Centenary to go out on a limb and own my own business.
What has been the biggest win or payoff?
I truly LOVE what I do! Seeing our clients so happy with their custom spaces that we have designed and installed brings me such joy.
Any announcements or future plans?
We have currently been going through a rebranding process, so be on the lookout for a new website and more!
