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

Laura, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’m entirely self-taught–what started as a hobby quickly became a full-blown creative obsession. I learned through lots of trial and error, a healthy dose of curiosity, and an embarrassing number of late-night YouTube rabbit holes. From mastering vinyl layering to figuring out how to make mini cones both fun and functional, everything has been a journey of hands-on experimentation.

If I could go back and speed up the learning process, I’d tell myself to stop overthinking and just start. I spent way too long waiting for things to feel “perfect”–perfect materials, perfect branding, perfect ideas. But the truth is, you learn so much more by doing (and yes, even by messing up) than you ever do by waiting.

The most essential skills? Adaptability and creative problem-solving, for sure. Also, being willing to pivot and embrace the fact that you won’t have it all figured out right away. And while technical skills like designing in Cricut Design Space or working with layered vinyl are obviously important, I’d say community-building and storytelling are just as crucial. That’s what turns a product into something meaningful.

As for obstacles–time was a big one. Like many small business owners, I was juggling this dream alongside being a parent and navigating daily life. And honestly, imposter syndrome made an appearance more than once. But every challenge pushed me to grow–and reminded me why I love what I do.

Laura, 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?

Hi! I’m Laura–the Maker, Designer, and Chief Cone Enthusiast behind Custom Crafty Cones! 🤗

I started this small business as a creative outlet while navigating life as a busy mom of two little ones. What began as a playful idea–decorating colorful 3-inch traffic cones–quickly turned into something much bigger than I imagined. With a Cricut machine, a lot of vinyl, and a whole lot of passion, I launched Custom Crafty Cones as a way to blend crafting, creativity, and community–with plenty of fun along the way!

Today, I offer a range of custom creations, including:

*Personalized mini cones for small biz swag, learning tools for little ones, party favors, and everyday smiles–each one inspired by the classic traffic cone, but with a fun and creative twist!

*Vinyl name decals, car decals, and business branding stickers

*Custom display cards made from sturdy cardstock for earrings, necklaces, keychains, bookmarks, acrylic blanks, and more

*Decorated glass cups, personalized t-shirts, canvas bags, and acrylic blank designs using a variety of crafting techniques

*Interactive gift ideas like scratch-off cards and QR code signage

Everything I make is designed to add a personal, playful touch–whether it’s showing off your products with pride, surprising someone with a thoughtful gift, or simply making ordinary things feel a little more fun.

Beyond products, I also love building community through creative series on Instagram like, Motivate Monday, This or That Tuesday, Wednesday Wins, Transformation Thursday, Feature Friday, Small Business Saturday Swag, Sunday Funday, and CONE-versations, where I “chat” with fellow small business owners and help share their stories and insights.

I’ve also launched a variety of interactive events to keep things fun and community-driven, like my Design Challenges, CONE-nections mentorship program, monthly Virtual Insta Meetups via Group FaceTime, Small Business Awards, and seasonal favorites like, holiday countdowns and Cone Olympics.

At the heart of what I do is this: I want people to feel seen, celebrated, and inspired. Whether I’m creating a personalized cone that makes someone feel like the star of their booth, or designing display cards that help small business owners show off their products with pride–I care deeply about making things that are both fun and functional.

What sets Custom Crafty Cones apart is the personality behind the product. I’m not a big-box shop–I’m a real person who genuinely cheers for other Makers, collaborates with fellow creatives, and pours love into every detail. At the end of the day, I just love creating things that make people smile and feel special.

I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a creative, supportive, and downright fabulous small business community. I’ve shipped orders to 23 states (and counting!) and built *amazing* friendships with fellow creators. I’m also getting ready to launch a crafting competition series in the Fall of 2025!

If you’re looking for something custom, clever, and crafted with heart–I’ve got you. 🤗

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media has been a slow and steady climb, rooted in consistency, creativity, and genuine CONE-nection. I didn’t start out with a strategy or a huge following–in fact, when I first launched Custom Crafty Cones, I wasn’t even sure anyone would “get” the idea of decorated mini traffic cones!

But I kept showing up. I shared behind-the-scenes looks at my process, celebrated small wins, and highlighted others in the small biz community. That’s really what helped things grow–focusing less on selling and more on CONE-necting. I started fun weekly series, like Motivate Monday and This or That Tuesday, and added playful, interactive content through Sunday Funday and community features like CONE-versations. These series helped me show up consistently and CONE-nect with people in a way that felt fun and meaningful.

My advice to anyone just starting:

Start with what feels authentic to you. You don’t need to do what everyone else is doing–your unique voice is your superpower.

Consistency beats perfection. Show up regularly, even if you don’t feel 100% polished. People connect with real.

Engage like a human. Comment, cheer people on, share others’ work, and build genuine relationships. Social media is social–lean into that.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different formats–Reels, Polls, Stories, Tutorials–and see what your audience responds to.

Celebrate every milestone. Whether it’s 10 Fabulous Followers, or 10,000, every person who supports you matters.

For me, the most rewarding part of growing a social media presence hasn’t been the numbers–it’s been the friendships, collaborations, and sense of community that have come from it. That’s the magic.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is seeing how something I made can bring joy, spark connection, or make someone feel seen. Whether it’s a customer unboxing a custom cone that perfectly matches their brand, or a fellow small business owner using one of my display cards at their first market–I never take for granted the fact that my creations get to be part of someone else’s special moment.

I also love the freedom to explore new ideas and follow inspiration wherever it leads. As a creative, you get to take an ordinary object–like a mini traffic cone!–and turn it into something personal, playful, and totally unexpected. That kind of magic never gets old.

But honestly, the community has been the biggest surprise and the greatest gift. Connecting with other Makers, cheering each other on, and building friendships through this shared passion is something I didn’t realize I was craving until I found it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/customcraftycones/
• Etsy Shop: customcraftycones.etsy.com