We were lucky to catch up with Rebekah DeBenedictis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rebekah, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

One of the biggest ways we differ from the industry standard is that we’re not positioned as a traditional pottery studio or a DIY experience. What we create is highly detailed, personalized work that requires a structured process and a high level of consistency—especially because these pieces hold so much sentimental value for families.

In many cases, similar offerings in this space are either fully DIY or mass-produced, which often sacrifices either quality or the overall experience. We’ve intentionally built a model that sits in between—where every piece is still handcrafted and customized, but supported by systems that allow us to maintain a consistent, elevated standard at scale.

I’ve seen firsthand why that difference matters. There are so many moments during sessions where parents are worried their child won’t cooperate or the print won’t come out perfectly. Because we’ve built a guided, hands-on process, we’re able to take that pressure off them and ensure the final result is something they truly love.

That balance—between craftsmanship, structure, and experience—is what sets us apart. It allows us to create something deeply personal while also delivering a level of refinement and reliability that isn’t always typical in this category.

Rebekah, 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?

I’m the founder of The Impressions Co, a ceramic keepsake company focused on preserving the fleeting stages of childhood through handcrafted pieces. I acquired the business after it had been established for over 20 years and have since reimagined and expanded it into what it is today.

What drew me to this work is how quickly those early years pass. Tiny hands and feet change almost overnight, and most parents don’t realize how meaningful it is to preserve that stage until it’s already gone. We create custom ceramic impressions—hands, feet, and even pet paws—that become lasting pieces families keep in their homes for years.

Each piece is carefully refined, finished, and personalized by hand, allowing us to create something that feels both deeply personal and elevated.

Beyond the product itself, we’ve built an experience around it—whether that’s in-studio sessions, community pop-ups, or group events—giving families a meaningful way to slow down and capture a moment in time.

What I’m most proud of is being able to take something so simple—a child’s handprint—and turn it into something families truly treasure. At the same time, I’ve been able to grow this into a business that supports a team, serves a large community of families, and continues to evolve.

The biggest thing I want people to understand is that these aren’t just keepsakes—they’re one of the few ways to physically hold onto a stage of life that changes so quickly. That’s what makes the work meaningful, and why we approach every piece with that level of intention.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

I acquired this business after it had been established for over 20 years. What stood out to me was not just the longevity, but the emotional connection families had to the product. There was already a strong foundation, but also a clear opportunity to refine the brand, modernize the experience, and build systems that could support growth.

The decision to purchase it came down to recognizing both the value that had already been created and the potential for what it could become. I wasn’t looking to start from scratch—I was looking to take something meaningful and evolve it into a more scalable, elevated brand.

The acquisition itself was a very hands-on process. I worked closely with the previous owner to transition operations, learn the existing workflow, and ensure continuity for clients during the handoff. That transition gave me a clear understanding of both the strengths of the business and where there was opportunity to improve.

Since taking over, I’ve focused on rebranding, streamlining operations, and expanding how we serve clients through studio sessions, pop-ups, and community-based events. It’s been a balance of honoring the legacy of the business while building the next chapter with a more intentional approach to growth and customer experience.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective driver of growth has been a combination of word of mouth and a strong presence on Instagram. Because what we create is so visual and personal, it naturally lends itself to being shared—whether that’s families posting their finished pieces or recommending us to others.

We’ve also been intentional about meeting our audience where they already are. Partnering with local mom groups, hosting pop-ups, and participating in community-based events has allowed us to build trust and visibility in a very organic way.

Rather than relying heavily on traditional advertising, our growth has come from consistently delivering a high-quality product and experience that people genuinely want to talk about and share. That combination of trust, visibility, and referral has been the most effective way we’ve continued to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theimpressions.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimpressions.co/