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

Alright, Lexy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

To set the scene, I was working a 9-5 job at a corporate grocery broker customer service role. I was so unhappy, unfulfilled, and not to mention underpaid. I was doing the work of a team lead, but getting paid for base customer service work. I’m the type of person who always is on top of their work, so near the end of the day I always have downtime, this worked to my advantage, I would spend that time writing in my notebook all of the business ideas, content ideas, design ideas, you name it.

I’d like to think I manifested starting my business back when I was little, I used to love making pretend sales to my parents/friends with my Barbie cash register. I always took that as, I should work in retail sales. After years of working for other companies, I’ve picked up skills I could take to my own business. I learned how to write professional emails, keep clients happy, but all of that taught me more to know my worth. I started working on my business, and planning so much on the clock. I didn’t feel good about it at the time, but my work was done, so my boss never even knew I was doing anything for myself. I spent that time researching different products, types of websites, marketing, and honestly observing other business owners to learn.

My intention was to start a business that would help people feel loved for who they are. I didn’t even know what I wanted to sell, my brain was FULL of ideas for designs, but not for what to put the designs on. At first I wanted to just make t-shirts, then decided art prints, phone cases, and stickers were better to start. Years ago I sold used clothing, accessories, etc, on Depop, and Poshmark, but never made a sale on my own completely before starting my business. It was a learning process, but one that is so vital to growing your business.

Mental Hippie was created first as an Instagram account to spread awareness for Medical Cannabis Patients, as well as Mental Health. I started the account as a way to post cannabis related content without my employer seeing it, and kept it private until right before I left that job. Making my Instagram public, and starting to make content there really made me feel like myself for the first time in a LONG time. My content is light-hearted, but also spreads awareness in a comedic way. I know so many people who have trauma, and deal with it through comedy. It’s the bane of my existence, and it shows through my art. I have many mental health conditions, and chronic illnesses, that I truly just want to show people that it is possible to keep going. As my business has progressed I started working with Bonfire to make t-shirts! I have two designs available, and a few more in the works! My goal with any clothing I ever sell is to make it size inclusive. Being plus sized all my life, I know what it’s like not being able to wear things you want to wear, and I never want someone to log into my site so excited to buy a t-shirt, and then see that I don’t go up to their size. I’ve been on the other side of that, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I’m working on expanding my size range, but as of now we offer sizes 3X-XS. I also did a ton of research on the different types of t-shirts, to make sure I got the most sensory friendly shirt possible. I struggle a lot with sensory issues, especially in clothing. All of the t-shirts I sell are soft, very stretchy, don’t have a tight neckline, and a soft tag that doesn’t itch one bit!

Lexy, 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?

My story starts in Upstate NY, growing up the weird creative kid who liked being online & making weird content (mostly on YouTube). In school I was bullied a ton for anything you can think of, my weight being the main thing. I was very quiet, doodling on my notebooks, and singing in the shower after school. I went through a lot of medical trauma growing up, so I spent a lot of time in the hospital, or at home by myself in my room.

I grew up into a silly adult who has multiple chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, & a dark sense of humor. I don’t let those things keep me from enjoying my life, I thankfully found healing through medical cannabis. I now spend a lot of my time online spreading awareness for a plethora of things, as well as starting my own business!

Mental Hippie is my shop, but also my online persona. It’s just authentically me. I’ve never been one to hide my mental health issues, and it’s a big part of my creative process. I wouldn’t be able to create art without trauma. As an adult I love nostalgia, and a lot of the items in my shop are based on that, and I enjoy giving them a 420 spin. I do a lot of pieces with cartoon characters, I like to think I’m healing my inner child this way. I sell prints of my art, phone cases, stickers, t-shirts, and I am currently looking into making clay items as well, that is to come soon!

Mental Hippie is owned by a curvy bisexual stoner with mental illness. We do not stand for discrimination of any kind, and we love & support EVERYONE, as long as you’re not racist, ableist, homophobic, or transphobic. 💜

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

Currently, I use Printful to make & ship my products, as well as Bonfire for t-shirts. My website was made, and is updated using Big Cartel. Mental Hippie is currently a small business, so this is more cost effective, as well as it helps me since I have chronic pain, so packing, and shipping orders is harder on me. I will eventually move to making most of my items, but for now this works better. I am currently looking into different suppliers for my prints, and stickers! I am always looking to improve my business, products, and social media account. I would recommend any of the suppliers/websites I use currently for anyone looking to start a small business. The only issue I have is Big Cartel only allowing a few products at a time with the free plan. Starting a small business costs money, and I’m for sure always looking for ways to save money, but also giving my customers the best products, and website experience.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me is for sure TikTok. It is the most powerful platform at the moment for finding new customers. The for you page is very targeted, so key words really do well with finding your target audience. I find that people around the age of 16-35 are more likely to have interest in Mental Hippie, and the majority of my audience are part of the LGBTQ+ community, which makes me feel very loved, and at home.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mentalhippie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalhippie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mentalhippie
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mentalhippielex
• Other: Bonfire – T-Shirts – https://www.bonfire.com/store/mentalhippie/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@mentalhippie

Image Credits
All images are created by me. My lovely fiancee is my photographer in the Stoney Bear shirt pics! Other than that this is 100% just me.