My Sticker/Clothing Store Cravin' Vinyls
bring your pictures to light!
bring your pictures to light!
Like many other great businesses, Cravin' Vinyls once started as an idea, a motive, a thought. I remember hearing about a small business grant for at least $1000 during COVID and wondered, "I should totally give this a shot!" Unfortunately, all my previous ideas for products and services quickly came to an abrupt stop. Soon after the grant had ended, I remembered about my mom's old cutting machine, (which has been refurbished), and knew that I could make things with it. From one personal project to the next, I quickly learned how to use this thing. Ready, I started brainstorming an idea for a business. The small business grant may be over, but I remembered the very reason why I wanted to start. I wanted to gain valuable experiences and immerse myself into the world of business and marketing. From that moment on, Cravin' Vinyls has been my very first attempt at a small business/side hustle.
Cravin' VinylsI embarked on this journey by tinkering with a cutting machine designed for cake decorating, known as Baker's Craft. My initial experiments involved cutting out paper pictures of friends. The discovery that I could project their shadows onto my walls using a simple lamp opened up a world of possibilities.
Baker's CraftMy initial experimentation with paper soon transitioned into using stickers, which I applied to night lights. While I tried various night light designs, I eventually settled on a clear acrylic square that worked perfectly with vinyl stickers.
I initiated my venture by sharing my designs with friends and family, gradually expanding my customer base. As interest grew, I decided to set up an Etsy store. Positive reviews and increased recognition from customers across Canada motivated me to deal with logistics, handle a growing number of orders, and offer customization.
My exploration didn't stop at night lights and stickers. I delved into clothing design, experimenting with dropshipping through itemshop.club. Initially, I considered rebranding and tried various platforms, but the expected growth didn't materialize. Instead of rebranding, I merged ItemShop's clothing offerings into CravinVinyls. Today, I provide a range of shirts featuring anime, memes, pop culture references, and more. Some of my most successful promotional videos are still on TikTok.
@itemshop.club #bocchitherock #bocchitherockanime #kessokuband #shirt #memeshirt #funnyshirt #funny #meme #socialanxiety #guitar #pink #awkward #anime #manga ♬ Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet - kessoku band
I've streamlined my operations, enabling customers to easily order shirts from my Etsy page. Automation allows them to choose from designs I've already created. While I continue to craft vinyl sticker lights to order, it's truly rewarding to receive feedback and reviews from satisfied customers.
My journey has been quite an adventure. I've successfully managed a diverse business specializing in sticker decals, nightlights, and clothing sales. This experience enhanced my customer service skills and social media marketing expertise, particularly on Instagram and itemshop.club. Managing finances and handling budgeting were essential for sustainable growth. As an entrepreneur, I developed adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Efficient business operations streamlined order fulfillment. Through all these efforts, I've built a strong brand presence, attracting a loyal customer base who appreciate the quality products and service provided by Cravin' Vinyls.