Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Bach. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kelly , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

For as long as I remember I have always loved creating and putting together patterns. I went to school for fashion merchandising and interior design but It wasn’t until I was 29 that I realized I wanted to make my own fabrics.

I was painting these little flower designs on wood scraps when a friend commented the pattern would make a fabric. I started researching how to make this happen. After months of trial and error, I bought an ipad and taught myself how to create a seamless digital design.

From there I began printing my fabrics. I learned how to sew in high school so I started making pillows, hand towels, & scarves. I decided it was time to start selling them. I opened an Etsy shop, started vending at local markets and now have booths in 5 boutiques in Florida.

I aspire to create patterns that are original and bold, something special you can only find In my shop.

It’s been 5 years since I started my business, and I love how it is evolving!
Now I put my designs on furniture, wallpaper, jackets, kimonos, home goods, stationery. I really love seeing the patterns come to life.

The best feeling for me is when happy customers leave a kind review, or when they tag me in their outfit on instagram. My business is small, but I still pinch myself sometimes that I created it from
scratch and there are people out there that enjoy my unique aesthetic.

Kelly , 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?

Most recently I am leaning into the wearable items in my shop and my blazers are getting popular on Etsy. I currently sell 3 styles and there will be a new print coming this fall that I’m super excited about! Its got retro pink orange and yellow flowers with the cutest little blue details.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Once business started picking up for me on Etsy I had to kind of narrow down my items for sale. I was starting to get overwhelmed and almost gave up because I couldn’t keep up with my 2 boys and working from home.

I decided to stick to it and just have less items in my shop. I made a schedule to pack orders on Sunday and Thursday instead of just randomly filling orders when the kids were napping. Those two small changes made all the difference.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

There have been many moments where I was discouraged, that people might not like my designs.

I will never forget this moment when I was vending at an event and I overheard a woman pick up my handmade pillow and say “this is hideous” to her friend and laughed as she walked away.

I had to remind myself that not everyone feels that way, that I create because I love it and if other people enjoy it, great!

Contact Info:

• Website: Etsy.com/shop/RetrobabeKelly
• Instagram: Reteobabeco
• Facebook: Retrobabeco
• Twitter: Retrobabeco
• Other: Shop in person in these shops: The Owls Attic, Winter park D+K renewal, St. Cloud Gather 2 Grow, Port orange Dough Girl, New Smyrna Beach La Boutique, Winter park

Image Credits
Photos by Kelly Bach