A note from Ashley: Being a small business owner I love other small businesses. It makes me happy to support someone who is following their dream too. That love inspired me to start this monthly blog series. I decided to call it Small Business Charm. I will feature different small businesses I love. I have found them through social media or are businesses local to me in Michigan. Social media has been a huge part of my life over the past 7 or 8 years and it has introduced me to some of my favorite people in the world but also some of my favorite small businesses. If you would like to nominate a small business for the feature please email me at messykennedy@gmail.com.
Today’s small business feature includes one of my favorite online businesses. I truthfully don’t remember how I found Lindsay’s business Dally Designs, but I know it was on Facebook. I fell in love with her unique, rustic pieces and I have bought two pieces from her but there are dozens of others I wish I could buy. Needless to say, I was thrilled when she said she would be a feature in this series.
“I had my daughter Blayke in 2009, and also was a new home owner. My husband and I decided staying home with her was the best for us. In my free time, I started making my rope things to decorate our home. I started posting pictures on facebook, and people were all over them, wondering if I would start selling them.” That is how Lindsay’s Grantville, Kansas business started. “Since I was staying home with our daughter, I had to do something else for a little bit of extra income. It has been a great thing having “extra money” especially around Christmas for our kiddos!”
Narrowing down her favorite pieces was a tough decision. When it came down to it Lindsay said she loved the really big rope vases she makes. Since they require 5-6 ropes each and a lot of time they do not get made often. All the same, they are stunning and I can attest to that!
There are so many pros and cons to a small and home based business. Lindsay said, “I love being able to walk down my stairs into my little basement “store/workshop” and be able to work. My kids can come down there and play, and keep me company.” At the same time her challenge is keeping motivated year round. Her business has seemed to be somewhat seasonal and slows down after Christmas. To help alleviate this her family has started another chapter now. They will be holding flea markets at our place twice a year. Their first one was this September, and it was a huge success. With the flea market there there are a lot of great, new things coming through the Dally Designs Facebook page.
When I asked Lindsay what she would say to someone looking to start a small business, she said this, “I wish them all the best of luck! It takes a lot of determination, and self motivation. YOU are your own boss, and if you don’t do it, someone else won’t do it for you. But if your willing to put in the time, your business can be whatever you want it to be!”
With the holidays coming up, I hope you will consider a Dally Designs product for someone you love. Lindsay’s products are gorgeous, well made and will compliment any kind of rustic decor and taste. Thank you to Lindsay for agreeing to this and answer all of my questions!
Looks like this place has some cool, creative gifts for the holidays! My dad has a Garden Center and Home Design retail store in Chicago called Chalet Nursery (http://www.chaletnursery.com/), and would probably love to sell some of these in his store! I would love to see that. Thanks!
Her pieces really are amazing gifts! I bet Lindsay would be excited to get into a store. I will definitely pass the word to her.