We recently connected with Melissa McReady and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I run my own social media. I haven’t wanted to hire anyone because I know exactly the vision I want for my brand. I also have made connections with other small business owners because social media is a great way to promote in this industry.

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?

I started Fire and Moth Co at the end of 2019 simply to just document my creations. I was asked about making custom pieces for people and realized there was a market for handmade goods. I got involved with local pop up markets and after seeing how supportive the community is, I really dove into researching more mediums of crafting to grow my brand. I was having a lot of fun with it. Three years in, I started selling wholesale to other small business retailers and store fronts. Thats when I realized I have a chance to really turn this into something. I have over 200 stockists in the United States and some international locations and that’s been growing monthly. I am proud of myself because now a fun hobby has turned into employment for me so I can dedicate most of my time to crafting and there is no better job in my opinion when it’s something you can call your own. I love when people tag @fireandmothco products and see how happy customers are with my product.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Marketing on social media means everything for Fire and Moth Co because I am an online business. Your page is your place to curate your business to show the world. My advice to anyone who is trying to build a social media presence is consistency. It also doesn’t hurt to run ads if you can. Invest in your business. Find out what works and what doesn’t. Do research and sell on different platforms. Make sure your listings and photos are clear and you use SEO tags. Do collabs with your business peers. Make sure you utilize every section of your product listings and posts.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I manufacture all my products. My products are handpoured and I use casting materials such as concrete, hydrostone, jesmonite, and plaster. I also do laser cut and engraved products that are made out of wood and acrylic. Our selection includes handcrafted products that are perfect for adding a colorful and fun aesthetic to your home or to your own personal style. We offer home goods, jewelry, and accessories that are sure to brighten up any space. Our products are produced in small batches, making them either unique or one-of-a-kind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fireandmothco.com
• Instagram: @fireandmothco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fireandmothco
• Other: www.fireandmothco.etsy.com

  wholesale for retailers only:
  www.faire.com/direct/shopfireandmothco