We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexa Peterson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexa below.

Alexa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

We recently took a risk in applying to be apart of a local store that showcases small businesses. It was a risk because we essentially could be facing rejection and we had to assess the financial risks involved as well. There is a monthly rent due and we had to have faith that we would at least sell enough product so we wouldn’t be at a loss. We were so excited to announce that we were accepted! It was the best feeling. We also recently got the numbers back from the grand opening weekend and we surpassed our goal and already made back the rent we paid for the month of June. Ultimately, we took this risk for the great opportunity that it was to get our name out there but mostly to connect with our customers and give them more of an opportunity to shop in person. This risk has been such a great experience so far.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We are Cactus and Grace and we are a mother and daughter team who started making beaded bracelet stacks for Christmas gifts in 2019. My name is Alexa and my mom’s name is Cindey. I knew I wanted to dabble in the polymer clay world, but was super intimidated. We were so successful with our beaded stacks that Christmas, so I really went to the craft store one day and bought everything I think I’d need and committed. It was a slower start with clay earrings as they were as widely known just yet. Little did I know then, I also invested in a brand of clay that wasn’t for making jewelry. But we have learned so much over the last couple of years. Polymer clay earrings really blew up during quarantine in 2020 and it’s become a little bit of an oversaturated industry and to be honest so has beaded bracelet stacks. But we just have really tried to remain true to who we are and true to our love for Jesus and let Him guide our hearts. I had a baby girl in October of 2021 and so we recently just started making baby clasp bracelets as well, and it has been such a great new avenue for us! We have a great customer base and really try to create relationships with them because we are so thankful they choose to support us constantly. It means more than they will ever know. They have supported me through my last maternity leave and I will just forever be in debt. This has been such a rewarding experience and journey, and we’ve learned so much as small business owners. We can’t wait to see what else is to come!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

As I mentioned before, when we started making polymer clay earrings, we invested heavily in the wrong type of clay. It is meant more for sculpting and not for jewelry making as it can become brittle after baking when rolled too thin. It was the best choice at the time, as the color options really are endless. We now use the best kind there is and we’ve learned how important color mixing is, and in turn you really can create any color you want once you’ve learned the basics of it. And although we did invest heavily in the wrong clay, I really don’t regret it because it was something we overcame and learned so much from. Nothing can take away knowledge you have worked hard to learn!

How did you build your audience on social media?

We we first launched it was incredibly intimidating. In fact, I remember texting my mom one day and said, “today is the day, we are launching this afternoon.” I knew that if we didn’t just do it, we would keep putting it off until everything was perfect, which very well could have been never. My mom didn’t have social media at the time and so I really just shared all over mine what we were starting and what we were doing and our friends and family did not disappoint. They were so supportive and shared with their friends and families. The power of word of mouth was very strong and helpful. We really grew from there. We’ve done giveaways but I think instead of doing them to gain more of a following, it’s important to do them to show appreciation for those that have stuck by you and supported you when they didn’t have to. Because more followers don’t always mean more sales. We’ve really tried to lean into blessing others the way that we have been so hugely blessed. Creating honest and genuine relationships with people and your audience I think is the best way to build an honorable business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cactusandgrace.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/cactusandgrace