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

Kaitlyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I just recently left my full-time job to pursue being a small business owner full-time. My business initially started out as a hobby and in February 2023, I launched Raising Hale Designs as a way to make some extra income for our family. My business took off faster than I could have ever dreamed. I was working a full-time job, running my business, raising our twins and trying to manage our household. After a year of juggling all of that and wearing many hats, my husband and I decided it was time that I take the leap and leave my full-time job to focus on my business and our family. In February 2024, I opened my first permanent booth space in a local store called Home & Seasons and this is what finally made us feel comfortable with taking the leap to me becoming a full-time business owner.

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 am a mama of twin boys that are two and half and VERY busy. I have always enjoyed crafting and creating things, but it was always just for fun. After I had my boys, I really struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety. I also really struggled with finding myself outside of being a mom. At the time, I was working from home with my two infants and it was just really taking a toll on me and my already struggling mental health. My husband was constantly encouraging me to take time for myself, but I didn’t know what to do and honestly had so much guilt taking any time for myself. He suggested that I pick crafting back up and even help put together the sweetest crafting room in our house for me. I started making shirts and onesies for my then one year old sons. I would share pictures on social media and got a lot of positive feedback from friends and family. After alot of encouragement, I decided to make a post to see if there would be anyone interested in buying shirts and there was! My first “launch” was coordinating Mama & Mini shirts for Valentine’s Day. I think I got 10 orders from posting on Facebook and I was so overjoyed and shocked.

I truly never imagined it would turn into the successful business that it has and that I would be able to leave my full-time job because of it! My business was started by making toddler shirts, but I primarily make glass cups and trendy shirts for women now. I love taking custom orders from my clients and absolutely love when I get requests for the sweetest toddler shirts. I really pride myself on providing high quality hand-made products. I often do markets and festivals on the weekends and my absolute favorite thing is meeting and talking with repeat customers. There is no better compliment than someone coming up and saying “I came here today because I saw you would be here!”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a maker is meeting all the new faces and building all of the relationships with new customers and other small business owners. It is my favorite part of being a business owner. I leave every market I do feeling so fulfilled and happy. I always say, even if a market doesn’t go well as far as sales, it is all about the connections that you make while doing it!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe that society could support artists and makers any many ways! My product isn’t for everyone and that is absolutely ok! You don’t have to buy from someone to support their business. You can like and share their posts on social media, share their business cards with someone, or even just provide them with encouragement!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.raisinghaledesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisinghaledesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090171611103

Image Credits

Kelly Norton Photography