We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Monak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started my business with hand painted signs, distressed/bleached flannels and fairy gardens. Around the end of 2018 we searched for a clean paraffin free candle that we could burn in our home that wouldn’t be harmful to our animals. We quickly realized that a candle like this could not be purchased in a big box store and the options in small shops were scarce. We started researching all types of soy wax and different options of fragrance oils. We learned about how harmful paraffin wax can be and that most soy wax is mixed with paraffin. They are not all created equal. We learned the same about fragrance oils containing phthalates. We purchased materials and went to work testing and testing ! We went with 100% soy wax, high end clean phthalate free fragrance and we don’t add any dyes. This created a candle that was toxin free, pollutant free, paraffin free and phthalate free. Making it possible for your home to smell amazing, still keeping your family and pets safe. Also creating our hashtag #puresoynotpartsoy
Amy, 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 started my small business in 2012 with hypertufa stone pots, fairy gardens and hand painted signs while working a full time job in an automotive factory too. I went to shows and markets on the weekends where I would set up my display, talk with customers and sell my wares. In January of 2018 after 21 years I quit my automotive factory job to pursue my small business full time. I continued painting signs, going to shows and selling on Etsy. In 2019 I added 100% soy wax wooden wick candles, room sprays and distressed flannels. I am the original maker in my area of one of kind super soft distressed by hand flannels and now crew necks, t-shirts and denim shirts/jackets. Each one is unique, no two are alike. In 2020 I created my website theoldrustycoop.com where all of my handmade products are available.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The majority of my small business is based on going to shows and markets to set up my display and sell my handmade products throughout Ohio. In early 2020 the world basically shut down! All of the shows and markets were canceled! This was a very scary and stressful time for small businesses. Me wearing so many hats left me with very little spare time usually. I took this down time and created my own website, got an LLC and really started to market myself on Instagram. Word got out about the candles and orders came in. This was such a blessing in a very hard time!!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When your small business is based on going to lots of outdoor shows and markets it is a ton of work! There is a lot of loading, unloading when you get there, putting up tents, carrying displays, setting up your products to then load back up, take down tents, drive back home and unload there. The weather also plays a huge part in your success! There have been times when we are set up in an open field only to be met with high winds, thunder, lightning and torrential downpour! I have been to markets in 98° weather where I am greeting customers with the front of my shirt soaked with sweat or markets in 30° weather with hats, winter coats and gloves. I have to always prepared with drills, screws, hammer, extra rope, tent, stakes, tarps, sand bags etc..just in case. This is not for the faint of heart but I love it!
Contact Info:
- Website: theoldrustycoop.com
- Instagram: @theoldrustycoop
- Facebook: The Old Rusty Coop LLC