We recently connected with Melissa Haimowitz-Clouse and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

The best advice I ever received from my parents was “you can do hard things.” Now, as a mom, I have expanded that to “you can do hard things; everything easy was hard once.” Growing up the day of a test or presentation at school my dad would leave me little pep talk notes and “you can do hard things” just always stuck with me.

Looking back on these last 6 years as a business owner I can now confidently speak to the truth of the statement. All the little things that have become second nature were once monumental scary tasks that I had no idea how to begin let alone complete.

When the business opened in 2017 I didn’t know how I could possibly create more than 10 pin/sticker designs at a time. Now we carry 100+ pin and sticker designs and additionally have jewelry, candle, and apparel lines.

Melissa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The Brave Wimp is all about creating eco-conscious pop art goods that celebrate diversity and inclusion. Every year we donate a portion of proceeds to a Detroit area non-profit/organization.

After years of working in the arts it became extremely important to me to create art that was accessible to the average person and create products that did not feed into the fast fashion industry. All lapel pins, earrings, and necklaces are hand made from wood sourced in the US. We are a small business that aims to support other small business and strengthen the community in which we exist.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

2020. Enough said right? *laughs out loud* March 2020 we expanded our store in the Rust Belt Market (located in Downtown Ferndale, MI), after only 3 business days in our new shop the world shut down. I was 2.5 months pregnant and in person sales were our main source of income for the family; it was absolutely gut-wrenching. The business had to pivot. Luckily with everyone stuck at home our coloring book sales took off online. A month later we began sewing face masks with Brave Wimp exclusive fabrics. Who would’ve thought? We turned a pin, earring, and sticker business into a coloring book and face mask business. That’s how we pivoted and survived 2020.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Showing up. As a local small business I show up for and in my community. Over the years we have participated in over 30 different events and art fairs in the Metro Detroit Area. We have sponsored Ferndale Pride and create fundraisers for I Support the Girls Detroit. Our customers know and support us because we are an active part of our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebravewimp.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebravewimp
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebravewimp