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

Alright, Gracie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Honestly, I feel that I started this business at the right time! Studiobygracie was a project that had begun when I was still in high school, but it really started to emerge my freshman year of college. I knew that I wanted to start a business that allowed me to use my creative abilities, but I didn’t know what area or category that would be. After a bit of exploration and trial-and-error, I found my niche in creating apparel with my designs on them! As a college student, it’s a little weird to be running my own business, but I know that it is most definitely the right thing for me.

If I had started later, I don’t think that I would have the growth, experience, or learned lessons that I have now. I have learned so much on this journey, and the experiences and process are so valuable. Looking back, a part of me wishes I had started sooner to get an early start, but I truly know that I started at the right time.

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 sell Christian and inspirational apparel, as well as home goods and stationary! However, I am not like your typical Christian small business; Each of my pieces feature a clean, minimalist design paired with a special meaning behind them. Some of our top sellers include our “Less judgement, more love” cotton tee, many of our soft crewnecks, and our “self love club” eco-friendly candles.

You can also find many art prints, both physical and digital, on my website! One of my favorites is our print “Motherly Love”. This print displays how motherly love is a boundless and profound force that transcends words and description. It is a love that knows no limits, an unwavering devotion that weaves itself into every facet of a child’s life. You can find various other prints at my shop in multiple different sizes to best fit your space.

I got into this craft out of observance of other businesses. I have found that almost nothing is hand-designed these days. But here at Studiobygracie, my mission is to bring value back into everyday items and provide pieces that have a deeper meaning. Each of my products are created with a purpose, every stroke, line, and shape displaying the time and effort spent with you in mind. I knew I wanted to start a business that had purpose, one that wasn’t just another small business promoting who-knows-what on your Instagram feed.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My journey began when I started my business as an art portfolio during high school. At that time, my focus was on honing my artistic skills, and I began taking commissions to further develop my craft. However, as I progressed, I felt the desire to infuse a deeper meaning and purpose into my work.

This desire led me to start creating Christian artwork and apparel. I began sharing my pieces on social media platforms, hoping to find an audience who was interested in what I had to offer. I love engaging with my audience by responding to comments, offering giveaways, and participating in conversations related to my niche. Building a genuine connection with my followers is crucial to me.

It wasn’t always successful, but I knew that it was important to persevere with my passion. I maintained a consistent posting schedule, sharing my artwork and products regularly. This helped keep my audience engaged and informed about my latest creations.

For those looking to build the social media presence, I would recommend taking these 3 steps.
1. Find your niche! Find something you are passionate about and build your presence around that. Your authenticity will shine on social media.
2. Consistency. It will be hard a first, and you will feel like no one is engaging with your content. But keep pushing through and try to keep your audience engaged.
3. Adapt and learn. Be open to feedback, adapt your content and strategies, and never stop learning.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I initially began my e-commerce journey on Etsy, but I eventually transitioned to selling through my own website, Studiobygracie.com.

I have loved selling on my own site for many reasons. First off, I have full control over my website’s design, branding, and customer experience. This has allowed for a more unique and tailored shopping experience. It also allows me to avoid the many fees associated with third-party platforms, which helps my customers purchase higher end products at a more affordable price!

Starting an independent platform does have it’s downsides. Without the built-in audience of a platform like Etsy, investing in marketing and SEO to drive traffic to your website is crucial. You also need to develop trust and credibility with your audience and those who find their way to your website.

I transitioned to my own website because I wanted more control over my brand, customer experience, and data. While it required more effort and investment in marketing, it allowed me to create a unique online presence for my customers to enjoy and find ease using.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studiobygracie.com
• Instagram: @studiobygracie
• Other: email: studiobygracie@gmail.com