We were lucky to catch up with Jess Cardona recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jess, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Taking the leap to relocate my small business from NYC to Florida has surely been the biggest risk I have taken. It was both a thrilling and daunting decision. The hustle culture of New York City fueled my entrepreneurial spirit, but the challenges of the fast-paced but limited environment began to weigh heavily on me. By moving to Florida, I embraced a fresh start and the opportunity to focus entirely on my business without the constant distractions of city life and limitations on space. The supportive community and favorable business climate in Florida offered the perfect backdrop for growth. Although venturing out alone comes with its uncertainties, I was motivated by the potential for success and the chance to cultivate a work-life balance that I had been craving. This risk, while significant, felt like a necessary step toward realizing my vision and achieving my goals, and almost 10 years later it was been nothing but a success.

Jess, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Itty Bits Designs specializes in custom event decor and quality temporary tattoos, offering affordable and non-toxic options for those seeking unique, safe designs. Our journey began nearly 11 years ago when we started crafting invitations to help fund our college education. What started as a small endeavor quickly blossomed into a global brand, recognized for our commitment to quality and creativity. Today, we take pride in providing personalized event decor and temporary tattoos that enhance celebrations while ensuring safety and style. Our passion for making moments special continues to drive us, and we’re grateful to have built a community of satisfied customers around the world.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

This business started as a side hustle to cover my summer courses in college, which I had to pay for out of pocket while living in NYC—a place where a side gig is essential. I began with simple invitations and gradually expanded to handcrafted party decor. After about two years, it transformed into a full-fledged business, allowing me to relocate to Florida and pursue it full time. Each year, we continue to grow and have collaborated with numerous well-known names and figures, which has significantly contributed to our success.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

Yes! We have shops on multiple platforms. We have a retail site (www.IttyBitsDesigns.com). We also offer wholesale (www.TattedByItty.com) and on Faire, and we have an etsy shop for our top selling drink/snack around the world temporary tattoos (Tatted By Itty Bits).

We are also taking the steps to expand to offer our drink/snack tattoos on amazon.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ittybitsdesigns.com/ www.Tattedbyitty.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ittybitsdesigns
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ittybitsdesigns
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TattedByIttyBits