We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miriam Hamilton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Miriam, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I’m Miriam Hamilton, founder of Elizabeth Hamilton Designs, a dinnerware company created to elevate everyday. I’m also a mom of three little ones, which means I know firsthand how busy, messy, and beautiful daily life can be.

For nearly 15 years, I hosted with a secondhand set my husband and I were gifted as newlyweds, never especially proud of my tablescapes. Once we started our family, upgrading wasn’t a priority, but I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. I realized how difficult it was to find dinnerware that could handle daily use yet still bring joy to special occasions. Most options were either fragile and intimidating or so plain they didn’t feel worth celebrating. That gap is what inspired me to design a collection that blends style with strength.

Though I officially launched in March 2025, I spent the year prior laying the groundwork. In a world reshaped by COVID, where gathering feels more meaningful than ever, I set out to create performance dinnerware that pairs durability with elegance. Crafted in high-density melamine so convincing that many mistake it for ceramic, these pieces are designed to be both practical and beautiful.

My plates, bowls, and platters are timeless and lasting, so families can feel confident using them every single day. I’m most proud when I hear from customers who say our pieces have become part of their family rituals like Sunday dinners, birthdays, or even just cereal before school. Those are the moments that matter.

At the heart of Elizabeth Hamilton Designs is an invitation: host confidently, dine joyfully, and live beautifully. I’m not just offering dinnerware. I’m helping people create memories around the table and celebrate the beauty of togetherness.

Miriam, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a self-taught entrepreneur who built this business from the ground up. I like to joke that I graduated from “YouTube University” because I dove headfirst into ideation, sampling, sourcing, negotiation, and everything in between without any prior experience or a ready-made network in the dinnerware industry. What I eventually discovered is that the people I needed were already in my world, I just hadn’t known them in that way yet.

There were plenty of moments where I wanted to slam my laptop shut in frustration, but I am so proud of myself for sticking with it and finding a way forward each time I hit a wall. That perseverance is woven into every piece of my collection.

What I want people to know is that I care deeply about both product quality and customer satisfaction. It brings me so much joy to see someone using, gifting, or simply enjoying my dinnerware in their everyday life. Because my collection is made of high-density melamine, it is virtually unbreakable yet still elegant, making it perfect for anyone. Whether you’re single, married, an empty nester, or a family with a house full of kids and pets, these pieces work beautifully indoors or out.

The possibilities are endless, and that is exactly what I envisioned. Elizabeth Hamilton Designs exists to elevate everyday, for everyone.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Relationships are at the center of everything I do. I keep in touch with customers through handwritten thank you notes or personal emails, social media tags and shout outs, and doorstep deliveries whenever possible. Each gesture is my way of saying I see them and value them beyond a single purchase.

One of my favorite moments was when a customer invited me into her kitchen to show me the extra space she had cleared just for more bowls. That memory sums up why I started this business. I want people to feel connected to their dinnerware and to me as the person behind the brand.

Brand loyalty grows when every interaction feels personal, thoughtful, and full of care. That is what I strive for.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’ve found inspiration from a mix of resources. Sara Blakely’s Masterclass was a big one. Early on she asked prompts like, “What am I good at? What do I enjoy doing? What could I do every day for free and still be happy?” Sitting with those questions gave me clarity and encouraged me to take one step forward at a time to where I am today.

I also love audiobooks. One of my favorites is Chip and Joanna Gaines’ The Magnolia Story. Their grit, faith, and vulnerability as a scrappy couple building something from very little has always stuck with me. It reminds me to embrace my own humble beginnings.

Podcasts are another go-to resource, and my latest favorite is Aspire with Emma Grede. I admire her journey, and I love how she brings on incredible guests to unpack the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

Finally, one of the most valuable resources I’ve had is my own community. The people I already knew who encouraged me, offered advice, made introductions, and supported me in unexpected ways. It has shown me that sometimes you just have to put yourself out there, because you never know who in your circle will show up with exactly the right help at the right time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ehamiltondesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethhamiltondesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571758073653

Image Credits

Photos by Lily with Mo Social | Atlanta, GA