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

Debra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our company starts from very humble beginnings in all honesty. We never dreamed that we would evolve from a two-person operation making t-shirt/stickers with a heat press and silhouette in the kitchen, because we were bored, to manufacturing custom pieces which embodied a client’s service and dedication to our country or their community. Our current mission all started when a “red star cluster” from a fellow Special Forces member reached out and asked us to design and build a retirement plaque for a 20+ year member and longtime friend who was retiring. Due to the mess of COVID restrictions at that time, organizing a typical Retirment ceremony, was out of the question and so were the proper preparations. With less than 48 hours to bang we built our first shadow box and the service members last gift from his brothers he spent 20 years fighting alongside. We now strive to make every intended recipient’s gift unique and as encompassing as possible regardless of their job or position in the military as well as incorporate their professional lineage and how they are connected to it today.

Debra, 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?

We handmake and sell personalized memorabilia for Military and First responders. From shadowboxes, liquor cabinets and dagger/knife holders, our goal is to make an heirloom which is durable and will last the test of time. With the other owner and operator of the company being an active-duty Green Beret, he knows all too well how hard they work and how rough they can be when things get moved around a lot, and our biggest fear is that the honored story of their service and chapter of their life will end up damaged due to unforeseen circumstances only to end up in a closet to collect dust or to be thrown away. So, for us being able to make mementos that encapsulate their careers and service to their country and community is something we are very honored to be able to provide. We work hard to make sure that every piece we make is different and specific to the person, whether it is a 3d carved emblem, or preservation of actual souvenirs from their time in service.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

We were introduced by mutual friends and share a lot of the same core values and beliefs. So, it was just a natural development to go into business with someone who has a lot of the same drive and determination to succeed in whatever project you undertake. Our strengths and weaknesses complement each other., for example, when we purchased an CNC machine, he was able to pick up on how to code within a few weeks, and I struggle with it. I however can take and old military symbol or emblem and rebuild it to be usable for the laser or CNC.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Honestly, social media is one of our weaknesses. We are both very private people personally, so it’s taken some adjustments for us to put our work outside of our normal social circles. So, we are still working on our media presence. The advice we can give is to push yourself past your comfort zone and get your products seen and a solide base of viewers established.

Contact Info:

• Website: Havocbydesign.godaddysites.com
• Instagram: havocbydesign82
• Facebook: Havoc By Desigh LLC

Image Credits
All pictures are the property Of Havoc By Design LLC