We were lucky to catch up with Carissa Williams Murray recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had started sooner?

In January 2012, I packed up my life in Wisconsin and drove south to Atlanta, GA. I was 26 years old, embarking on a new chapter and career. My new company was based in Phoenix, but I was regionally based in the Southeast. Being young, new to Atlanta, and working remotely with no daily office routine, my employer was sensitive to the challenges of building a community in a new city. My boss at the time was incredibly supportive—she was not only a great manager but also training to become a life coach. She checked in with me weekly to ensure I was settling in, meeting people, and creating a fulfilling life outside of work.

One day, during one of our weekly conversations, she encouraged me to find a hobby or something I was truly passionate about. Not wanting to disappoint, I started brainstorming. At the time, I’d recently made some memory boxes to store keepsakes from my college travel experiences—an idea sparked by a magazine clipping my mom had sent me. Since I loved crafting, travel, and my work in the education abroad industry, it clicked: I could create memory boxes for others to store their cherished moments. With her encouragement, the idea to open an Etsy shop was born, and I started creating and selling these personalized travel memory boxes.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change the timing of when I started my creative journey—it felt like the right season of life to embrace this new endeavor. However, if I could go back, I’d encourage my younger self to be more confident, embrace my creativity more boldly, and dive into social media much sooner. I’ve learned so much since then, but starting to share my craft more openly earlier on would have helped me grow even faster.

Carissa, 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?

Hi! I’m Carissa, the owner and creator behind TravelsRemembered, my Etsy shop where I specialize in crafting personalized memory boxes and other unique handmade items. My journey into this creative space began in 2013, inspired by my love for travel and crafting. At the time, I was working in the education abroad industry and had recently made a few memory boxes to store keepsakes from my college travels. The idea came from a magazine clipping my mom had sent me, and it sparked the realization that I could create something similar for others to preserve their own special memories. That’s when TravelsRemembered was born.

What sets my shop apart is the personal touch I bring to every item I create. I specialize in customized memory boxes for travel, graduations, weddings, pets, babies, and other life milestones, but I’ve also expanded my offerings to include hand-painted journals, ornaments, towels, signs, and more. One of the things I love most about my work is collaborating with customers to bring their ideas to life—whether it’s incorporating country flags, icons, or meaningful words onto a memory box or creating custom ornaments that celebrate unique milestones.

For me, it’s not just about selling products; it’s about helping people preserve their most cherished memories in a creative and meaningful way. I’m proud of the connection I’ve built with my customers, many of whom come back again and again for personalized gifts for themselves or their loved ones. Each order represents a story, and being part of that story is incredibly special.

One of the main things I want potential clients and followers to know is that my work is a labor of love. I take pride in the quality and detail of every piece I create, and I strive to make every customer feel like their item is truly one of a kind. I’m also constantly looking for ways to expand and evolve, whether it’s through new product offerings or collaborations with other small businesses and artists.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The core mission driving my creative journey is helping people preserve and celebrate their most meaningful memories. Whether it’s through a customized travel memory box, a heartfelt ornament, or a hand-painted journal, my goal is to create pieces that tell a story and hold deep personal significance for my customers. I believe memories are some of the most valuable treasures we have, and my work is all about giving people a beautiful, tangible way to honor those moments and milestones.

Beyond that, I’m passionate about creating connections—whether it’s collaborating with a customer to bring their vision to life, working with other small businesses on unique projects, or simply being part of someone’s special celebration or memory. Creativity has always been a way for me to connect with others, and it’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work has a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Ultimately, my goal is to keep growing my shop, expanding my product offerings, and reaching more people who are looking for meaningful, handcrafted items. I want my work to inspire others to celebrate their own journeys, both big and small, and to treasure the memories that make life so special.

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

In April 2023, I was unexpectedly laid off from my job, which was a major turning point for me. While initially unsettling, this unexpected change turned into an opportunity to focus on what truly matters to me—my creative business. With the time and space to reflect, I realized I wanted to dedicate more energy to growing and expanding my Etsy shop. It was a chance to dive deeper into what I love: creating personalized, handcrafted items that hold special meaning for my customers.

During this time, I also started making connections with other small business owners in my local community to explore collaboration opportunities. It felt like the right moment to work together and create custom items that could help support each other’s growth. Additionally, I took this time to prioritize my health and well-being, something that I hadn’t been able to focus on as much before. It was an important reminder of the balance between career, creativity, and personal care.

Though the circumstances leading to this pivot weren’t what I anticipated, I’m grateful for the space it’s given me to shift my focus, build my business, and make meaningful connections with others. It’s a reminder that sometimes unexpected changes open the door to opportunities that we never could have imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://travelsremembered.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelsremembered/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravelsRememberedbyCW
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamsca