Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patsy Mull. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Patsy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I was a stay at home mother just as we both wanted for our children. Money had always been extremely tight but as transplants in a new town we didn’t want strangers caring for our kids. From just before my first born arrived until my second and youngest went to kindergarten, I was home doing all the things a mom and homemaker does. Having the freedom to go to work was liberating. Although I’d already been building my business and my art we still struggled financially. I went to work at the local high school as an in-school suspension monitor. I was able to tie up garments in my classroom and continue building my business. After two years of doing this I was gaining popularity but didn’t have the time to give it a real shot. I decided with the support of my husband to go back to being a stay at home mom with a home business. I now had more time to commit to my art and progression came so quickly. Without kids under foot I could take my time without worry of my next task for the family. I was also able to take more time networking. We’re still not wealthy but I’m able to supplement our income as much as if I were working for the school district plus a little more. I’m still able to do the extras for my family this way as well. I have no regrets only blessings.

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

Facebook changed my life. I’d always loved tie-dye back in my younger days. I saw some interesting shirts in one of the groups I belonged to and asked the poster where to see more. They lead me to the group Addicted to tie-dyeing (ATTD) as we in this arena refer to it. I fell in love with tie-dye all over again. I started messing around in the backyard trying to dye with my little ones. The files of how-to information in this group were so helpful in learning the art form. When I bought my first professional dyes I started devoting more time and the little bit of money we didn’t really have to creating tie-dye. As I progressed I showed my work in the group and on my personal page. I was so encouraged by everyone. I joined other groups and learned even more. It was suggested I sell the clothes and bedsheets (tapestries) I was creating. I then toyed with some small sales and custom orders. I had built a small clientele and made a business page of my own where people could view my work. In the tie-groups where I posted often, my latest works, so many would go crazy with their words of affirmation. It made me feel amazing. I have always loved clothing and fashion. I’ve always aspired to be well-dressed for every occasion and non-occasion. Taking my new craft and incorporating it with my other passion of clothing design was thrilling. I have many niche’s in this arena. I feel my color palettes are unique. I design women’s clothing to accentuate and adorn them to feel beautiful. I create men’s shirts with this same idea. Men’s chests should be accentuated as well after all.
I’ve been blessed with this amazing capability to create gorgeous and unique tapestries as well. I’m so proud of my original designs like my diamond with a mandala inside. I also created the heart with a peace sign inside design. No others had been doing these designs in tie-dye before me that I’m aware of. I am in nearly all the large tie-dye groups and I popularized these ideas. Not many can execute them though. I have been featured on the banners of these groups many times.
I’ve administrated in the largest group (Tie-Dyeing) for a few years but I became too busy to do it anymore, gratefully so. Running a business is no small feat! An artist and owner has so many aspects. From creating, advertising on social media to shipping as well as customer relations keeps me hopping. My husband brings the ice I use in my art. This is hauled in 22lb bags from the store to the chest freezer in the basement where I dye. I use sometime more than 120 pounds per week.
I created my own website myself and am having much success and increased awareness. People are starting to recognize my works in public at music events and art festivals. Word of mouth is my best advertisement. I’m building beautiful relationships with my clients. When my apparel is seen out, the customer happily tells where and whom they got it from.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

It’s funny to explain where the “capital” to fund my business came from. I literally started buying undershirts and old sheets from yard sales to sell to scrape together funds for dyes and supplies. I shopped yard sales for the tools and things used in my processes. Everytime I’d sell something I’d inject the proceeds into something to use in my creations. I gave up my cell phone for a year so I’d have extra money to keep creating. My husband earns a decent living but with having kids and the expenses of life there were never leftovers. I scraped for change always to continue working toward having my own business. My business logo was created by an old classmate from high school. She’d seen my work on Facebook and wanted to help me. She offered her services at no cost. Shannon Lake of Lake advertising not only created my logo but designed my business cards, banner lay out as well as a couple different icons for my social media. She explained she likes to give back in this way each year by donating to a company that needs help. I’m forever grateful for her because I could not have afforded a professional. It’s still just getting off the ground but I’m busy and finally seeing a profit. I’m completely blessed in the reward of seeing my dream come to fruition.

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

I have about a dozen or more friends that had been customers at the start of our relationships. There is a little tribe of women and men who continuously support me by purchasing and sharing my brand with their friends and family. Customer service is just that in that I want to fully service the client and know they’re not just satisfied but thrilled with my service. As I mentioned, word of mouth is my best advertisement. Having clients happy and keeping them in great rapport keeps them and their acquaintances visiting my business page and website.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mamasmaddyes.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mamasmaddyes43
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MamasMaddyes43