We were lucky to catch up with Amy Morris recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our business first started when my mother realized what I was doing for teachers might just be worth putting out there for others. I love creating special tags or stickers that go along with gifts for others; something that may include a sweet message or a funny quote. Each year for my children, I create meaningful gifts for their teachers and classmates. Gifts that always include a colorful, personalized message from my kids.
With many teachers in our family, we understand the hard work and dedication they go through. We have seen the joy on a teachers face the moment their student gifts them with a unique, personal gift; especially when that gift includes a personalized tag just for them.
Over the past year 1/2, my mother and I have worked together to create different seasonal and school related tags and stickers for others to enjoy giving. Each season, we post new and exciting products to our Etsy shop and in Teachers Pay Teachers. We’ve received multiple thanks from customers letting us know that our products really added that special touch to their teacher or classmate gifts.
We love the fact we are able to spread the joy of giving to others – with just a colorful, personalized note.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always had a love for art and drawing; especially cartoon characters. I’ve also had a passion for giving and seeing others happy. When my children first started school, I started creating little ‘goodies’ for their teachers and classmates. Along with the ‘goodies’, I would include a tag or sticker that would match the theme of the gift. I loved seeing the excitement on my kids faces when they got to pass out their treats along with the joy and surprise on the teachers faces when they received them. About a year 1/2 ago, my mother mentioned that I should turn my ideas into a business. She also said that I should design characters for each theme by drawing them myself… so I did!
In the beginning, the business was a bit slower than we’d hoped. But over the last year, we have learned new ways of designing and have gathered a few returning customers along the way.
I’ve drawn many different animals, objects, and designs – including a few logo and customized requests. Each drawn creation is placed specifically with it’s themed tag or sticker. We always try to come up with a clever saying for that particular theme. For example: ‘Thank you for helping me FALL in love with learning’ during the fall season – which would include a drawn pumpkin or fall leaves.
We’ve had customers reach out for customized ideas. Themes that they have come up with and would like me to design a tag for them. Or they love our theme but would like it personalized a bit more for their needs. No matter the request, we ALWAYS put their vision on paper.
We provide two different ways of ordering our products. Most enjoy the convenience of ordering and downloading our PDF immediately. From our Etsy shop, when ordering our digital product, customers receive a link and can download and print the product from home as many times as they need. Others enjoy the fact that we print the product for them. When ordering our printed product, we print from our shop and ship the order as soon as possible. This allows the customer to receive the product done and ready to use without using their paper, ink, and time.
We’ve really seen the business grow and hope to see it flourish more and more in the years to come.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Honestly, being personal and respectful to our customers is key. When a question is asked, we answer it immediately. When someone needs help with an order, we are on top of making sure their need is answered right away. Over time, we have built up repeat customers who continuously come back to purchase our products. We’ve had a few who reach out for customized requests. Requests like special Christmas tags for their kids, logos for their new homeschool business, even personalized cards for their loved ones. No matter the request, we’re always happy to design something that’s exactly what they are looking for – even it if takes a couple proofs to see it finished. I believe that is what keeps our clientele going; not only our superb customer service, but our caring openness towards their needs.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is seeing the product sold and the fact that others truly love it! When a customer writes a review that includes a picture of how they used my tag or sticker with their gifts, it shows how much they enjoy the product. It’s truly heart warming to see that others love my designs. As an artist, I always drew my characters for myself, never really thinking anyone actually would like them. As I see my drawings on these tags and stickers, and then they are sold over and over again, it never truly settles in. I am always surprised and humble at how rewarding that feels.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: LittleSumthnSouthernDesigns
• Other: Etsy @ Etsy.com/shop/littlesumthnsouthern Teachers Pay Teachers @ teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Little-Sumthn-Southern-Designs

Image Credits
Self