Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maddie Laidig. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Maddie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.
I’m a full time work from home mom raising three kids under 5. It’s a joy and a work in progress, and every day looks a little different. I’m fortunate to be able to have freedom and flexibility in my schedule so that I can be available for my family first and I feel so grateful for that gift. I intentionally set out to create a business that would get me to this place and there is beauty in sitting in the drivers seat of my business.
Growing up I was witness to many entrepreneurial ventures within my family. My dad ran a successful custom architecture firm that he started from the ground up; my mom owned and operated fine art and gift boutiques for many years selling her hand made creations; my middle sister started an embroidery business that expanded to incredible lengths before selling the business to other owners; my oldest sister ran a small business offering breathwork sessions and small group classes; my brother in law started a home construction and custom pool building company; and I started this: Maddie Laidig Designs, a boutique wedding graphic design and stationery business. You could say small business ownership is in my blood.
I find so much purpose in running my own business and I was taught from a young age that not only is it possible to create a business for yourself based on your giftings and and passions, it could be the very thing you were made to do.
I had a wonderful job working for a university executing the donor and board of trustee events throughout the calendar year. It was fulfilling in its own way, but the longing and desire to do something for myself was always in the back of my head. Before my husband and I began building our family I knew I needed to find a way to be home so that I could be the full time mom I always dreamed of being and help provide for our household — enter Maddie Laidig Designs.
Did I always know growing up I wanted to be a graphic designer making wedding invitations? Well, not quite, but looking back there were signs. I have one vivid memory of a school project where I was tasked with creating a paper menu for a Spanish class. I can still recall the vibrant colored paper I used as well as the elaborate food illustrations I made. I would not say I was the best artist – far from it – but I sure put a lot of creative effort into it.
Starting a small business has to start with some sort of passion or hobby or interest in order for it to take off. People can tell when you’re just trying to sell them something and if your heart isn’t in it you’ll never make the sale you want. What I’ve learned through watching all of the small business owners in my own life, is that you must be authentic and you must believe in the product or service you are providing. Whether it’s a custom home for a family or an embroidered baby blanket, you have to believe what you are creating is done with integrity, love and respect for the person you’re selling to. My greatest successes in business have been when my heart is so intertwined in the project and my client knows how deeply I care for the outcome. I have the privilege of working with people on the single most important day of their lives and I know how much each dollar counts to them. When I hear feedback from clients that I have been one of their favorite vendors to work with, I cannot express how meaningful that is. I cherish each email and kind note that comes my way for the days when work feels harder or less inspiring (because those days come as a small business owner no matter how much you love what you do!)
I wish all people could have the experience of running a small business. It makes you brave. It pushes you take chances on yourself. It forces you to face self doubt and inferiority complexes. It teaches you to be grateful. It instills in you a drive to never stop growing and learning and bettering yourself. And those around you will notice, over time, the affects of running a business. I would love my kids to grow up and say someday “I’m doing this because my mom showed me I can.”
Life as a small business owner is a joy and work in progress but I’m living out a life beyond my wildest dreams.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Welcome to Maddie Laidig Designs – my pretty little corner of the stationery world. i specialize in high end printed wedding stationery and manage the assembly and mailing logistics on behalf of my clients. I love a project that brings me out of the box and challenges the status quo. I love paper and I love entertaining. To me, the two go hand in hand, so invitations, menus and place cards are as important and as impactful as the food, floral and guest list.
Every client project I take is a privilege and honor. As I work to tie your ribbons, pour wax seals and deliver to the post office, I am constantly praying blessing over your marriage, your lives and your futures. I really mean that! So often my mind will drift to my clients and I just lift up a small prayer of blessing for each of you, because you are a blessing to me by hiring me to do this work.
You can follow along @maddielaidigdesigns or www.maddielaidigdesigns.com
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I am the queen of business pivots and it’s something I was embarrassed about for many years. I would sell products for a short time until I grew tired of them and move onto the next, always keeping my wedding invitations as the constant pot boiling, so to speak. After multiple pivots in business (selling hand lettered doormats, heat press apparel, vinyl decals for cups and bags, holiday laser cut gifts, personalized cutting boards, and more pivots) I realized my ability to switch from item to item was necessary in order for me to scratch my creative itch. I always had success with the item I was selling because I was so personally excited about it but once it wore off I had to move on to the next. I just couldn’t keep selling something I lost interest in. It was embarrassing after the first couple of pivots when I thought people would judge me for how many ventures I tried. But after I reframed it I’m glad I had the gumption to try it all. Why not? Who said I couldn’t try one thing or the other? That’s the beauty and fun of running my own business and i don’t regret it at all now.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Maddie Laidig designs (MLD) started as an Etsy store while I was still working at the university full time. I was selling notepads and had a few friends who hired me to make their wedding invitations. Every sale felt like I won the lottery. For the first few sales I felt so insecure that people wouldn’t like what I sold them and I spent so many hours googling simple things I know like the back of my hand now. I cringe at how inefficient my time was spent on projects at the beginning but I’m still so glad I started. After1 year of running my business on the side, I quit my corporate job and jumped in full time. I remember waking up that first Monday morning feeling like I was breaking all the rules and I’d never make it. But one referral led to another led to another and here I am with a dozen weddings on my calendar for the start of 2025. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t been that girl 8 years ago making things up as I went.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.maddielaidigdesigns.com
- Instagram: Maddielaidigdesigns
Image Credits
Steph Kadlicko, Arielle Peters, Stephanie Abbitt, the Howard brand