We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Wildman Mireles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

Last year I was at a market and usually get “ooooo Stickers!” when someone comes by my table. I have a huge variety of stickers (motivational, sarcastic, self love, kawaii, vintage, etc.) so there is usually a sticker that a customer will make a connection with. A mother and son came to my table and it was clear that they were having an intense discussion.  All of the sudden the son goes “Mom, may I speak freely?” the mother then says “look for a sticker on the table that relates to how you’re feeling and show me.” A few moments go by and the son picks up a sticker that says “Shut up! and take a hike!” 😳 I was shocked and waited for mom to react and she was very understanding of her son’s feeling and said “put it on the table, pick one more sticker and then give me a moment”. I still kept my mouth shut and watched and then she looked up at me and said hi, and we chatted. She picked about 10 stickers from me and as I was processing the order, she goes “I have a cup that I’m going to put these on and anytime he comes up to me and asks me for something or gives me an attitude, I’ll simply point to a sticker and give him the message.” Mind you there was quite a variety of stickers (sarcastic, motivational, and fun stickers) so it wasn’t going to be the cup covered in snarky remarks. She mentioned that it was going to be a way to communicate and get right to the point since he was so to-the-point with his feelings today. And she did but that sticker her son picked up. 😆

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve always loved stickers. I’ve been collecting them forever. I especially love collecting them from places I travel too. I would always make them as freebies for my now closed bath & body business. When the pandemic hit, so did my bath & body business. I was really struggling to get sales and was trying to find a way to make sales, maybe even find something else. It took about 2 years of trial and error. I realized my next product was right in front of me the whole time…. stickers! I already had the supplies, I just needed to spruce up the quality of them. Most of my designs are used for print-on-demand (t-shirts, sweatshirts, bags etc.) I just make them into stickers.

I did my first market selling stickers in September 2022 and it was a huge success! I had gotten a lot of positive feedback, requests and SALES! That’s where 8.25 Designs Sticker Shop came to be!

In December 2022, I started offering manufacturing services. For any size business looking to add stickers to their own shop. Artists have really grabbed the opportunity to make their art into stickers. I offer low quantities (10 sticker minimum) and include their logo and website on the back of each sticker as a part of my service. So, if their sticker is given as a gift, that person knows were to get more 😉. My next goal is to have a catalog for stores to order.

I’m also dusting off my design skills and making something special for a friend of mine who is advocating for a cause that is important to her. The stickers are going to be a part of a thank you gift to donors. I’m always open to talking to anyone who is interesting in having stickers made for a cause, event or their own artwork.

As a small business owner, I know what it’s like to try and add something to my inventory, like a sticker, and must order 25, 50 stickers to meet an online manufacturer’s requirements. That’s usually a large budget that not everyone has. That’s why I offer lower quantities to meet anyone’s budget.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I primarily use Instagram (@825.designs) the most in the last year. I like that it gives me a way to connect not only with customers but other small businesses. Small businesses are my customers just as much as someone who happens to come across my profile and sees that I make stickers. I love to do daily updates in the stories section. It’s a great way for people to get to know me, my personality and it allows me to send a message of what’s ever going on now. I like to share info of where I participate in local in-personal markets and offer tips, tricks and encouragement to other small business owners in San Diego. That’s why my daily check-ins are great because I could be helping someone without even knowing it.

Any advice I could give is to share everything. What you’re working on, photos of your products with customers, things that you’ve accomplished for your business, how you started your business, why your product, everything! Showing the growth of your business shows anyone who comes by that you are active.

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

Meeting them at markets. I try to participate in 2 or more markets a month in San Diego. Businesses have been my main customer base and I usually meet them at local markets that I participate in. They get to look at my products, see the quality, and see what I can do. The things I include in my services are things I do for my own stickers so being able to show them right then and there is awesome.

I also follow all the vendors on social media (Instagram) that are participating in the same markets as I do. Even if we only get a small chance to chat, they can always go back and check out my profile. I have had businesses reach out to me and say, “I saw you at this market!” and it’s a great start off point to gain a new client.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.825stickers.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/825.designs
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/825designs

Image Credits
M. Mireles