We were lucky to catch up with Cindy Galle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cindy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

One of the most unexpected challenges in my creative journey was realizing that success could also mean feeling stuck at home. I had grown Lolo Berry from my small craft room into a thriving custom gift and live engraving business. Orders were coming in, events were picking up and by all outward measures, things were going well. But inside, I was overwhelmed. My home no longer felt like a home, it was a shipping zone, an inventory closet, and a production floor all in one.

The real turning point came during a major prep for a two day craft fair. I had items lining the hallway, my kids stepping over shipping boxes, and I was laser engraving in a cramped area. I remember thinking, This can’t be how I scale. It was this odd mix of pride and panic. I was proud of the growth, but terrified that I had outgrown my space and wasn’t ready to take the next leap.

Cindy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Cindy, the founder and creative force behind Lolo Berry, a brand that specializes in bespoke gifting, live laser engraving activations and intentional design experiences. At my core, I’m a creator and someone who believes that beautiful things made with purpose can shift how we feel, remember, and connect.

My journey started with a deep love for personalized gifting. I wasn’t trying to start a business, I was just trying to make better, more meaningful gifts for the people I loved. I quickly realized that I had a talent not just for the design, but for storytelling through objects, whether that was an engraved wine opener that sparked a laugh, or a custom charcuterie board gifted for a wedding that became someone’s favorite gift.

As orders grew and craft fairs took over, people started asking, Can you do this live at my event? I saw a bigger vision unfold. Today, I’ve partnered with brands, retailers, and event planners to provide on-site personalization at events like product launches, corporate activations, private parties, and more. I also offer thoughtfully curated gifts that help businesses stand out and individuals express themselves through custom pieces that mean something.

What sets Lolo Berry apart is emotional intelligence. It’s not just about the engraving, it’s about the experience. Whether I’m engraving on-site at an upscale location like Bloomingdale’s or designing a gift set for a bride to be, every item I put together is infused with intention. My brand is rooted in the belief that when you lead with authenticity, creativity, and good energy, you create moments people remember.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built this business from the ground up, first from my home, to craft shows and now from a dedicated vendor space, while staying true to my values. I’m a woman-owned business that stands for alignment, purpose, and elevating the everyday.

If you’re new to Lolo Berry, here’s what I want you to know: I’m more than just engraving, I’m in the business of unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a brand looking to connect with an audience in a fresh way, or someone seeking a one of a kind gift, I’m here to help you create something that lasts beyond the moment.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Like many women entrepreneurs, especially in creative fields, I thought being a solo-preneur meant having to do it all. I wore every hat, I’m the designer, the engraver, the marketing team, social media manager, product photographer, you name it I was it. And that was all on top of being Mom.

At first, that hustle felt empowering. But eventually, it became exhausting. I was scaling, saying yes to bigger events, getting my brand into amazing rooms, but behind the scenes, I was burning out.

The backstory? I had just wrapped a live event and was running on fumes. My voice was hoarse from talking all day, my feet were swollen, and I still had custom orders waiting at home. My husband gently said, you need help. You don’t have to prove anything anymore. It hit me like a brick. I wasn’t just proving I could do it, I was trying to outrun the fear that letting go meant I’d lose control or compromise quality.

But the truth? Learning to trust others, ask for help, and build a support system isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.

Now, I learned the power of no and handle what I can. I protect my energy. And I remind myself daily, the goal isn’t to do more. The goal is to do it with joy, intention, and room to grow.

Unlearning that solo hustle equates to success mindset, gave me my power back, and gave my business the foundation to scale on my own terms.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In the early days of Lolo Berry, I ran everything out of my basement. It was my creative cave, with inventory, equipment, packaging supplies, and all the pieces of my business puzzle. But that space came with a risk I didn’t fully realize until it happened twice.

Two floods, yes two!

The first one felt like a bad dream. I walked downstairs and found water everywhere, under the laser, soaking product boxes, threatening everything I had built. I cleaned up, salvaged what I could, and told myself it was a fluke.

Then it happened again. At that point, most people would’ve thrown in the towel. I definitely cried. But then I got real with myself, if I wanted this business to last, I had to invest in protecting it. So I had perimeter French drains installed. It improved the space and I had to make sure I was building on a stronger foundation, literally and metaphrocally.

It slowed me down, sure. But it didn’t stop me. And I think that’s what resilience is. Not bulldozing through every challenge, but adapting, rebuilding, and showing up anyway. Today, every time I walk into my shop with real walls, real systems, and real peace of mind, I remember those flood days and feel incredibly proud that I didn’t let the setbacks define my story. Resilience doesn’t always look like a dramatic comeback, sometimes it’s quietly choosing NOT to quit despite wanting to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loloberryshoppe.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/loloberryshoppe
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/loloberryshoppe
• Other: https://etsy.com/shop/loloberryshoppe

Image Credits

Head shot: Nev Trinajstic, Nev Photography LLC / Clouds Imagery