We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abigail Gallagher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abigail below.

Hi Abigail, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

My name is Abi and I’m the owner and artist of Words for a Season. My company offers a beautiful way to wear a meaningful word without the commitment of a permanent tattoo. How often have we had a word on our hearts carrying us through a season or love the idea of a tattoo but don’t want to commit? I’ve blended my love for doing calligraphy and desire for a tattoo, and created a community of women who wear Words for a Season temporary tattoos to celebrate their highs and find strength for their lows.

My temporary tattoos work as fun self-expression, but also as encouraging pep-talks to take with you wherever you go.

I launched in 2017, when temporary tattoos were synonymous with children and your mind went directly to cartoons or silly designs – nothing sophisticated or made for adults. I had been doing calligraphy and chalkboard art for several years prior to starting my business so I was able to build rapport with my local and online community as a hand-letterer. I have always had an Entrepreneur spirit and my heart is to use my gifts/talents to encourage others and the idea for Words for a Season was put on my heart. It’s been such an honor to see it grow and positively impact so many people over the last six years! I redefined the temporary tattoo category and have had the honor or partnering with brands such as Anthropologie, Magnolia, Madewell, and Free People! I also invented the concept of “hat tattoos” and debuted this at the Dallas Market Apparel & Accessories Show in January of this year – my temporary tattoos transfer easily onto hats and allows for a fun, customization element to wool and suede hats! They are great in hat bars too!

It has been a lot of hard work, long days, and obstacles to overcome but hearing stories from those who wear them – that they love being reminded of a powerful word / truth that positively impacts their mental health and sparks joy to their season – makes it all worth it!

Abigail, 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?

Words for a Season is a name with double meaning – the physical temporary tattoo will be on your skin for only a season (around 3 to 5 days) and different words speak to us in different seasons of our lives. I started this company to provide you with a way to wear something meaningful for the season you are in without the commitment of a permanent tattoo.

What sets me apart from others is that I hand-draw all the designs! This company is very personal for me. I debut a set of new designs every season and these words consist of one that is on my heart for the season I’m going through as well as words that have been submitted from my community / followers. All of my temporary tattoos are a fine-line, aesthetic and make the perfect accessory! I have designs in categories per “theme” and “special event”. You can find anything from faith-based words to bridal and everything in between (mindfulness, empowerment, etc.)

I did not have any experience with a product based business prior to launching my company and it’s been so much fun (and a lot of hard work) learning the ins and outs of operating one. In 2017, I launched with a direct to consumer website where I offered three to five words. Now, I offer 60+ designs including single temporary tattoos as well as gift packs and stickers! I also started wholesaling my product in 2019 and jumped head first into attending large wholesale shows (ex: Dallas Market) and have been so blessed to have my product in boutiques all around the United States and in Canada!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Words for a Season has been fully self-funded. I took from my savings to initially start my company! I ran my company on the side for the first 5 years while working my corporate job! I was intentional about putting whatever I made, directly back into the business and this helped me be able to grow and scale into what it is now!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’d love to share! This may not necessarily be “pivoting” but here is an example of where I was able to stay innovative with my product and grow! I personally love hats and have enjoyed the concept of “hat bars” where you are able to customize your hat (adding a hat-band, dried florals, etc.). Last year, I was thinking about my temporary tattoos and thought how if they can transfer onto my skin, they can probably transfer onto a hat! I make my temporary tattoos out of high-quality, FDA approved skin-safe ink. Since my temporary tattoos are an easy and clean transfer (only the fine-line, black design transfers onto the skin) I was sure that my temporary tattoos would look just as beautiful on a hat and they did! I started wearing my temporary tattoos on my hats and people loved them! I began making videos on social media (that went viral!) and debuted this new concept into the industry at Dallas Market in January of 2023!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wordsforaseason.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/wordsforaseason
• Other: Wholesale: https://faire.com/direct/wordsforaseason