Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brandie Ferguson . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brandie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I originally started my business, The Prairie Flower Boutique after the birth of my fourth child. It was a creative outlet for me and helped me find focus after dealing with postpartum anxiety after my traumatic birthing experience.

Originally my business model was as a clothing designer and I always designed my clothing with a vintage vibe. I enjoyed the early days making clothing, as I had several small children at home that I was also creating garments for. I even had the experience of being a designer in a fashion show, getting to display my vintage line and my Butterfly Collection that was in honor of my Grandma Mary.

However in 2018 I had a lightbulb moment and decided to change course becoming a Toy & Doll Designer, markets that I sold in specifically Facebook Showcases did not have many toy designers, especially pretend play and learning toy designers. As a homeschool mom it was important to me to be able to offer these options, as pretend play is so crucial to a child’s development.

This switch made a huge difference in my business success. These types of products seemed to be what customers were looking for. During Covid with a big transition to at home learning more people seemed to be looking for these types of learning toys. My dolls and stuffies also gained in popularity especially with custom options available.

At the same time my sister business, Prairie Flower Farms (selling Organic bath and body products)was gaining
momentum. Over the last 7 years, this business went from selling only at brick
and mortar locations and in person shows to also being offered online and in FB
showcases.

Prairie Flower Farms not only uses organic and non GMO ingredients but I also grow the plants and flowers used in product creation. We also use organic beeswax that we have collected and processed from hives when we are able.

The exciting newest addition to this brand
is my focus on wild crafting and using
Organic Dandelions, Wild Violets, Yarrow, Black Walnut and Elderberry to name a few. I have created poultices, salves, scrubs, lip balms and other products for over 17 years and just recently became a Certified Herbalist.

I think I have become the most excited about Prairie Flower Farms because I am witnessing how these products are helping people. It is always great to see how they help my family but when you have customers come up to you at a Market and tell you how they have purchased your items in a local shop and how it has helped them, it is so nice to hear.

Prairie Flower Farms is growing by leaps, in the last month we have branched out into 3 more brick and mortar shops.

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.

I have 2 Brands. The first, The Prairie Flower Boutique is my Pretend Play and Learning Toys company. With this brand I make pretend play sets such as Dentist set, Vet set, Florist set, Eye Doctor set, Pirate set and many others. I also create counting, multiplication, time telling, color matching and other learning sets too.

Pretend play also includes role play with stuffies and dolls. I enjoy creating customs of these products as well as more basic or common styles of dolls and stuffies. One of my product options is pocket dolls and stuffies, where I create a momma doll/stuffie and then a baby that fits in a pocket on doll/stuffie.

The Prairie Flower Boutique also makes sleep masks, reusable facial wipes and towels,hair tie holders, totes, bookmarks, pixie hats, and seasonal capes and capelets.

I think I am the most proud or happy to help someone make something special for someone they love and hearing how someone has enjoyed our toys/dolls/stuffies.

My second Brand, Prairie Flower Farms is my Organic Bath and Body Products line. I not only use Organic and non GMO ingredients but I grow the flowers and plants I use in my products. We also use Organic Beeswax we harvested and process when available.

I enjoy making wild crafted products with organic Dandelions and Wild Violets, Yarrow, Black Walnuts, Elderberry and other plants.

My products include Bath/Shower Fizzies, Sugar and Coffee Scrubs, Coffee Eye Cream, Rosehips & Honey Anti-Aging Cream, Wild Violet Salve, Dandelion Whipped Moisturizers and Salves, Black Walnut Salves, Lavender Lotion Bars and Rosemary Atlus Cedar Lotion, Cocoa Shower Scrub Bars, Lip Balms, Solid Beeswax Perfumes, and Roller Perfumes.

We are branching out into more products such as linaments, and whipped creams and maybe a few others.

I think I am the most proud to hear the positive customer feedback on how they enjoy these products and how they make them feel.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

For The Prairie Flower Boutique I would say that a constant presence in a variety of Facebook showcases and brick and mortar shops, building a line specific to your vision and good customer service helped me build my brand’s reputation.

For Prairie Flower Farms I would say that a constant presence locally, branching out to more brick and mortar shops, in person shows, social media outlets, building a line specific to your vision and good customer service helped my brand’s reputation.

Customer Service is key!

Customer Service is important, your customers are your livelihood. You need to make sure you are

Have you ever had to pivot?

For both my Small Businesses my pivot moment was around 2018. Sales were slowing as a clothing designer and I started to see the need for Learning and Pretend play toys. At the same time I was also witnessing an uptick in brick and mortar sales of my Organic bath and body products.

I took the leap and overhauled my business model switching to toys/dolls/stuffies specifically for my online business The Prairie Flower Boutique. I have also expanded offering my products in brick and mortar shops as well

At the same time I started being more consistent with my Organic bath and body products and stocking in a brick and mortar shop locally. In the last 2 years Prairie Flower Farms has grown and expanded into wild crafted products and in the last month has expanded to being sold in 2 more shops.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theprairieflowerboutique.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprairieflowerboutique
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopThePrairieFlower

Image Credits

Brandie Ferguson