We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caitlin Plourde a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Caitlin, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?
One of my favorite examples of showing appreciation happened right before school started last year.
I hosted a bead bar event at a local coffee shop in the heart of Indialantic, Florida, and a few teachers stopped by to create something small for their classrooms. We ended up talking about their upcoming year and how much they pour into their students every single day. They even shared that they already had a couple of our beaded pens from teacher appreciation gifts their students had given them the year before, which meant more to me than they probably realized. What started as a quick stop turned into a genuine conversation and connection.
That connection eventually led to the principal reaching out. He wanted to build a stronger relationship with a local small business and also do something meaningful to treat his staff before students returned. From that conversation, we created a fully customized bead bar experience just for the teachers in their building.
It became a creative and uplifting break before the chaos of the school year began. They were able to design pieces that felt personal, and for a moment, it was something just for them.
Giving back to teachers and other service professionals has always been important to me. We offer ongoing discounts for teachers, military, and medical personnel because they are constantly pouring into others. For that event, I made sure the pricing reflected that same heart.
For me, appreciation is not always about big gestures. It is about building relationships, listening well, and creating experiences that make people feel valued. When someone supports Simply Plourde, they are supporting my family, and that is something I never take lightly
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Simply Plourde specializes in handcrafted silicone beaded accessories and interactive bead bar experiences. We create items like beaded pens, keychains, wristlets, badge reels, pacifier holders, and more. I also host customized bead bar events for markets, schools, businesses, and private parties, giving people a hands on creative experience they can personalize themselves through our wide variety of silicone beads and charms.
At its core, this business is about connection. I am not just selling a product. I am creating pieces that celebrate teachers, support small businesses, and bring people together through creativity. Whether it is a custom piece for a classroom, a teacher appreciation gift, or a full bead bar setup for an event, I want every interaction to feel intentional.
One thing that sets Simply Plourde apart is the relationship driven approach. Many of our partnerships have grown from simple conversations at markets or coffee shops into long-term collaborations with local schools and retail locations. I truly believe small businesses grow through community, not competition.
When someone supports Simply Plourde, they are supporting a family business that values creativity, relationships, and giving back.
We offer ongoing discounts for teachers, military, and medical personnel because we believe in honoring those who pour into others every day.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots of my life happened when my family moved from Florida to Colorado with about a month’s notice this past year.
It was not just a business move. It was everything. My husband was changing jobs. Our two young children were leaving the only home they knew. I was seven months postpartum while dealing with ongoing skin issues. We packed up our entire life and drove across the country, and even that did not go smoothly. A rental truck issue delayed our arrival by nearly a week, adding another layer of stress to an already emotional transition.
We were not just relocating a business. We were rebuilding and relocating our entire lives.
At the time, Simply Plourde felt established in Florida. We had retail partnerships, school connections, repeat customers, and steady events. Moving meant walking away from all of that and starting over in a place where no one knew us yet.
And we are still pivoting. The move was only four months ago. We have since entered our second store location here in Colorado Springs and have several markets on the calendar for the coming months. We are slowly rebuilding momentum while also adjusting as a family to a new culture, new routines, and a new rhythm of life.
What this season taught me is that resilience is not loud. It is quiet consistency. It is trusting that what you built once can be built again. My business is not tied to a specific place. It is tied to my willingness to connect, adapt, and keep going.
We are still rebuilding, both in business and in life. And I think there is something powerful about being in the middle of that process still
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Honestly, markets and word of mouth have always been our biggest source of new clients.
Simply Plourde really grows face to face. When people see the beads in person, create something at a bead bar, or have a real conversation at a pop up, that connection sticks. A lot of our school partnerships and store placements have started from someone meeting us at a market and telling a friend.
Since moving to Colorado four months ago, our online presence has definitely slowed down. I have been focused on unpacking, getting settled, and rebuilding locally. Some inventory is still in boxes from the move, and updating the website has not been my top priority while we adjust to this new season.
Right now I am leaning into in person events and relationships again because that is what has always worked best for us. The website refresh and stronger online consistency will come but community is what truly drives this business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simplyplourdeco.square.site/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAQPCfpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadrebWATb_YNAZMvqj3F9t7m6pri2g0UPPtl6uVxEt3dGFTlBzJjiymPTyH3g_aem_8I2adP6PyBAXyrNAODiX0A
- Instagram: @simplyplourdeco
- Facebook: @Simplyplourdeco
