22-year-old Molly Menniges, who hails from Falls Village, CT, launched Beaded by Molly this past June. Offering a unique selection of hand-beaded embroidery clothing and accessories, Molly explains what it’s been like turning her creative pursuits into a brand.

How did you come up with your business’s name and branding?

I always say if I hadn’t gone into interior design I would want to be in the business that names paint or nail polish colors because I love coming up with stuff like that. So, when it came to naming my own business, I started to get a little carried away and decided to revert back to something simple that incorporated my name. As for the branding, I had an epiphany while coming up with names to use the “y” of my name as a piece of thread to attach to a needle with beads on it to really tie in the concept of the business.

How do your educational background and past experiences influence how you operate your business?

I just graduated from Syracuse with an interior design degree, so my brain obviously operates in a pretty creative way, and I’m always looking for new hobbies and creative outlets! As for the business side of things, that is definitely not my strong suit. I’m still working on understanding that side of things!

How did you decide to start this business?

I’ve never really been good at keeping my New Year’s resolutions, but this year I promised myself that I would try new things and start new hobbies, so when I came across bead embroidery online it looked like the perfect thing for me to try out. When I realized I was pretty good at it, my family encouraged me to start making the shirts I had just been working on for fun available for people to buy.

How has it gone so far?

I’ve only been selling my products for less than four months, but it’s been going great! I’ve been selling lots of custom shirts, and now that the colder weather is approaching, I’ve started making beaded coasters and fridge magnets.

Who’s helped you develop your business?

My family and friends have been inspiring and helpful throughout the past few months.

What was your plan when you started and has that plan changed?

Since it has only been a few months, my plan has remained the same: using as much free time as I can to produce as many products as I can. I suppose the only things that have changed are the ways I have started to market my products, like using more social media as well as reaching out to influencers.

What is one of the most important things you learned starting this business?

How important it is to support small businesses and handmade products. Now that I am creating handmade goods, I realize the time and effort that are put into each and every piece.

What was the most challenging thing about starting this business?

Since this business is unique in that things cannot be batch produced, making time outside of my job has been somewhat challenging. It definitely takes more time to work on pieces one by one.

What was most fun about starting this business?

Seeing people wear and enjoy the things I make for them! It’s awesome to see people appreciate and love the products I custom create for them.

How has your business changed over time?

Originally I had just planned on creating hand-beaded shirts, but now I have really opened myself up to expanding my creativity and thinking about other products like coasters, magnets, and tote bags coming soon.

How do you manage a work-life balance?

Since I have a regular 9-5, I try and devote at least one or two hours each evening to working on my beading projects. It’s nice because it really is therapeutic for me.

What did you wish you would have known before you started?

To just go for it!

To support Beaded by Molly and direct message for a custom order, go to @beadedby.molly on Instagram! You can shop Molly’s products at etsy.com/shop/beadedbymollyUS.