We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Morrow. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the decision of whether to donate a percentage of sales to an organization or cause – we’d love to hear the backstory of how you thought through this.
As soon as El & Gray Design was formed, I knew that a give back program would be an essential part of the business. I’m so thankful to have a wonderful, supportive community to live and work in – how could I not give back?!
For every pair of earrings sold on my website, product is donated to Emerge Mother’s Academy. They equip single mothers in the Twin Cities to emerge as confident women and caring moms. They do this through classes, social work, counseling, work preparation, and a micro-loan grant program.
Their work preparation program provides business suits and jewelry to single moms in preparation for job interviews. I can’t think of a better way for El & Gray Design jewelry to be used! Throughout the year I check in to see what items they need me to donate for gifts, holiday events, and more.
To learn more about Emerge, visit https://emergetwincities.org
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
Hello! I’m Sarah Morrow, owner and lead designer of El & Gray Design, based out of Minnetonka, MN.
El & Gray Design is a business that formed during the early days of the pandemic. Being home during that time provided me the freedom and space to channel my creative energy. My background is in corporate human resources. So, becoming a business owner and selling my art has been a whole new world for me!
My primary medium is polymer clay. It’s a lightweight, yet durable material that is ideal for jewelry making. My passion is large, colorful statement earrings! But, I also make necklaces, hair clips, trinket trays, wine glass charms, essential oil diffusers, and more!
One of the most wonderful gifts this business has given me is a new community of supportive, enthusiastic artists and makers in Minnesota. Makers and shoppers alike have been such cheer-leaders for my small business. I have been featured on Twin Cities Live, Minnesota Monthly Magazine, Minnesota Live, and more.
A very exciting opportunity I recently had was to create earrings for the Luxury Streetwear runway show during the Fall Fashion Week MN!
When I look back at the last 2+ years I’ve been in business, I am really proud of how far I’ve come. I source my own materials, designed my own website, figured out how to file my business with the state, photograph product, navigate social media, sales, inventory fulfillment – the list goes on and on!
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
When I first started my business, I sold on Etsy. I think Etsy is a great place for makers to start. It’s a well-known site that makes setup quite simple.
However, within 6 months or so, I decided creating my own website was a much better fit for me. I turned to other makers for suggestions and many said that Shopify was a great platform. They were right! For someone like me who had never done any sort of web design, I was able to create a website I love, is unique, customizable, and affordable. Shopify can link to so many other sales platforms (such as wholesale sites like Faire.com, etc).
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
Besides selling my merchandise on my website and in stores, I decided to branch out my business to include teaching workshops!
I’ve had the honor of facilitating dozens of DIY polymer clay earring making workshops around the Twin Cities. It’s one of the best parts of my job! I love bringing people together, highlighting polymer clay, and providing a fun night to my participants (who go home with a lovely pair of customized earrings they made!)
I have also started doing private events. I have taught earring making at bachelorette parties, bridal showers, girls weekends, and more! It’s a fun activity that gets everyone’s creativity pumping in a non-intimidating environment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elandgraydesign.com
- Instagram: @elandgraydesign
- Facebook: El and Gray Design