We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diana Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Diana , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

Last year on February 28, 2021 I took a leap of faith in becoming a business owner that specializes in arts, crafts, and event planning & decorating. One of the very few things I started to create was called an Explosion Box. It is a beautifully hand-crafted 4- Boxes in One that pops open for every box you uncover. Each box is specially designed and hand crafted with stickers, rhinestones, lace, embellishments and photos.

One special customer placed an order for one box, they normally range in price from $45 or more. All depends the style and how crafty you want it designed. He specifically ordered a simple $45.00 box. When payment was received the customer had sent me $200 and a message saying, he did not want the box. He just wanted to be one of my first to support my business with a small kind donation.

I thought that was the most thoughtful and kindest gesture a customer could have done for me. It mattered to me because he believed in my work and wanted to help me by putting my art out on social media.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have over 30 years of event decorating experience. I was blessed with a talent of creativity and have used it for all of my family gatherings and celebrations. Never thinking it would be a great need or a growing business field, I took it more as a hobby. For many years I would get numerous compliments on my work, design and decorations. One of the most common questions to me from people was, “Why did I not have my own business in decorating or party planning?”. I never understood the criteria or the needs to start a business and with that alone, I feared the unknown. I didn’t know where or even how to start a business.

It wasn’t until last year 2021, when COVID hit and found millions of people looking for a way to make extra money to survive. It was then that I found myself ready to do the unknown and to dare do everything in my power to finally have my own business and live out my dream. I began researching and learning on my own what were the first steps to starting a business. In the past year I have learned to manage my business finances, website, inventory and all the orders that come thru.

Many of my items are customized and/or personalized, always adding a special touch to all of my work. My most common sold items are my t-shirts. All t-shirts are customized to every customers details. I have had many returning customers and that let’s me know my work is good. I have grown in the past year through word of mouth from previous and present customers.

My proudest moment has been just that, the bravery to open a business and learn as I go. Every day is a challenge, never know what is going to be thrown my way but I am always eager for the challenges and to ensuring each customer is satisfied with their order.

I want every customer to know that I put my heart and soul 100% to everything I create.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

This is a very important question to share with others. When people think of having a business, (I’ll speak for myself)many of us think we need to be financially wealthy. This may be one of the main reason many people don’t thrive or dare open a business. At least for me, I always felt I needed to have a nice chunk to be able to start off a business. I can share that I started with the little bit of cash I had. Majority of my crafts are done using the Cricut Maker machine. Well my daughter gifted me the machine for my birthday and I immediately went on a craft venture.

I supplied my office space with what was needed immediately to start off a few orders of t-shirts. I ordered t-shirts and vinyl and went about my business. Before I knew it I was taking a dozen t-shirt orders, then 50, then maxed to 100 shirts per order. As I continued to build and save, I would invest in other machines and products as needed.

I want people to know you may not always need a chunk of money to start, don’t let that be the reason stopping you from becoming a business owner.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

In the past year my most effective form of clientele growth has come from word of mouth, returning customers that continue to share with other friends and family. It has been like a chain reaction. Mary ordered from me and shared with her daughter. Her daughter then ordered from me and told her co-worker. The co-worker then ordered from me and she shared with her friend. The friend called placed an order and shared with others. This has been the most common form of growth for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: nanasnedream.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n1dream21/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/N1DREAM