Megan Ford
Courtesy of Loom and Thread Designs.
Age || 24
Company Name || Loom and Thread Designs
Job Title || Small Business Owner
Years Living In New York || 7
Social Handles || @loomandthreaddesigns / @megelizabethf
Company Website || Loom and Thread Designs
What did you want to be while growing up?
My career plans as a teenager ran the gamut. I wanted to be a teacher for a long time, but my passion for creating and designing led me to pursue a career in fashion.
What’s the best piece of advice you were given when you were starting out?
Don’t forget to have fun! Oftentimes, starting a business around a hobby can take the fun out of doing something you love. I’ve learned to make it a priority to check in with myself along the way to make sure I’m still having fun.
How did your background help you with this venture?
I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a business degree in Home Products Development. Much of our curriculum focused on the start-to-finish processes of successfully creating and selling products. I enjoy having my own small business because I get to do everything from design and packaging, all the way to marketing and merchandising.
Courtesy of Loom and Thread Designs.
What made you interested in starting to design?
I have always loved the experience of creating something from start to finish, whether for myself or for others. There is something so rewarding about being able to make something yourself.
What is your creative process like?
When making a decorative piece like a wall hanging, I usually start by thinking about color. Once I have that down, I like to go with the flow. I find that if I plan too much, the fun and spontaneity of the design is lost.
How do you define success?
Success for me is seeing happy customers. Getting a review from a happy customer or seeing someone wear the item you created is so gratifying.
Courtesy of Loom and Thread Designs.
What is your go-to motivational quote or personal motto?
I don’t necessarily have a go-to quote, but I do love to scour Pinterest for some positive inspirational words when I’m feeling down!
Which women inspire you?
Everyone who knows me knows I worship the ground Martha Stewart walks on. She built her business on making things, and empowering other women around her to make things. I am also beyond inspired by my community of friends and fellow small business owners who are always hustling!
Where do you sell your designs?
Etsy, as well as local craft markets throughout the holiday season.
How do you overcome moments of self-doubt?
This has been a bit of a “fake it till you make it” thing for me. One of the biggest struggles for me was being the face of my brand. When I participated in my first market, I was so nervous. I find there is something so difficult about selling, especially when it is my own product. Practice definitely makes perfect, so I have made sure to remind myself of that often. It also helps to look back at how far you’ve come.
Courtesy of Loom and Thread Designs.
How do you balance your schedule?
I work a full-time job and am working on my master’s degree, so finding time for my Etsy business can be tricky. There are some weeks where my entire weekend is devoted to knitting and weaving to play catch-up. In my ideal world, I would have an hour or two every night to be creative. Going into my second year, I also have a better idea of what to expect. I know what my top sellers are, and I know when their sales peak.
How do you handle situations where you feel overwhelmed?
Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed with projects and orders, I love to just take a step back and breath. Sometimes a bit of reorganizing and planning makes all the difference. I am also so lucky to have wonderful friends and family who are always there for support when times get tough.
What has been the most rewarding thing since starting out?
When I first started my Etsy shop in January of 2019, I didn’t have a single sale for months. Once August rolled around, I had orders coming in every day. Receiving the notification that I had hit 100 orders within just a few months was so exciting and rewarding!
What advice would you give to other women trying to enter your field?
The same advice I was given. Life is too short not to have fun!
What are some of your goals moving forward with your work?
At the moment, I only sell through Etsy and local craft markets. My goals for the year include setting up my own website and exploring product placements and partnerships in local shops. I would also love to venture into some new products and categories.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.