We recently connected with Lily Schuette and have shared our conversation below.

Lily , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Often times consumers don’t get to see the personal side of a business. For example, think of a business you have bought from; Do you know the owner? Have you seen their face? Heard their voice? Know their story? When I started my business I knew I wanted my customers and supporters to feel comfortable with me, and I wanted them to feel as if they could make personal connections to my life. In my case, I see a huge jump in growth when I share my face on my social media pages. Whether it’s sharing a failure or a win, something interesting that happens to me that day, or just checking in to say hi and update my followers on upcoming launches, it has made an incredible difference.
I sell the majority of my products online, but I like to sell at my local farmer’s market as well. Customers have come up to me wearing the earrings I’ve made, introduced themselves, and brought up something I’ve shared on my business page’s social media! They know my face from my online presence and feel more comfortable sparking up a conversation because of it!
I believe that some companies see it as unprofessional, they just want to show the products and mold this “perfect” view of their business. Little do many people know, being willing to show the personal side of business can be incredibly beneficial, to not only your customers, but also your growth!

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?

Lil Petunia started approximately three years ago when the whole world was shutting down, and many were finding different ways to make an income. I was a healthcare worker at the time and didn’t necessarily need to find extra work, but I noticed the rising amount of small businesses owners on my social media. I had no business experience whatsoever, but I thought “if they can, why can’t I?” The day I decided I wanted to learn how to make polymer clay earrings was the same day I watched hours of YouTube “how-to’s” and ordered everything I thought I would need to start up a business. From that day on I’ve felt the passion many other business owners have felt, and it was invigorating.

I create handcrafted polymer clay earrings, and I’ve dabbled in other products such as; keychains, plant stakes, bookmarks, and more. The process starts out with a block of clay, and can be turned into absolutely anything. I’ve made all kinds of earrings; from elegant recreations of a brides bouquet, to a novelty cupcake pair, to simple everyday studs. The options are endless and I think that’s what, not only I, but my customers also love. I launch new collections about twice a month, and they range from 10-15 new styles of earrings. The great thing about my business is that I can adapt to serve my customers. If the holidays are here, they know that Christmas trees are to come! If it’s summer, bright colors and beach vibes are what’s hitting my website! Customers can always expect something new from Lil Petunia.

I’m so incredibly proud of the connections and growth that has served me over the last three years. There are most definitely days I would like to just throw in the towel, but the people who support me, in person and on social media, are continuously cheering me on and they are a huge reason why I do what I do. I’m a stay at home mom to a young toddler, and someday I would like to show my daughter that a dream doesn’t have to be just that… it can flourish into an incredible reality that changes the whole course of her life. I’m so passionate about business, and I hope to be an inspiration to anyone who comes across my story!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Social media has been an incredible source for gaining new customers. To many, social media can be intimidating and a burden, but if used right it can truly grow your clientele. I’ve found a different customers base on Facebook than I have on Instagram, and I’ve used that to my advantage. By creating specific content for each separate platform, I’ve broadened my customer base greatly. It took a few years to understand that not everything I put on Instagram is going to be relatable or intriguing to my Facebook crowd, and vice versa. Since my products are so versatile , I can target both audiences well.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

About a year and a half into this business I had my daughter. Once I became a mother everything in my world changed. Long gone were the days of sitting at my desk creating art for hours and hours. Instead, I spent my time rocking a screaming baby, cleaning bottle after bottle, and changing what seemed like a hundred dirty diapers a day. For a while I felt as if it was motherhood, or my business, and I was crushed at the thought of giving up on my dreams but I was so in love with being a mother that I knew I was only ever going to give 100% to that.

Instead of moping around, packing away my crafting supplies, and saying goodbye to my business social media, I decided there was no way I could let my daughter one day think of me as a failure. It was a tough reality check, but I had to allow myself to think of it as giving up. That didn’t sit well with me, so from then on I got serious about Lil Petunia. I learned to manage my time better, and now I don’t have to decided between being attentive mother or succeeding at my business. Little did I know then, that all I needed was a fresh mindset and time to truly delegate how my business should be ran. I turned it from a craft that I could do while binging tv shows, to a business that brings actual income into the lives of my daughter, husband, and myself. I was resilient through the trying times, and learned to adapt so I could grow in all aspects of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lilpetunia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilpetunia_/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lilpetunia1

Image Credits
Ash and Oak Photo Co.