We recently connected with Sabrina Enriquez and have shared our conversation below.

Sabrina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk about keeping costs under control when growing. How have you managed to keep costs from getting out of control?

With the expansion of my business, I have come to acknowledge a significant transformation in my operational approach since its inception. I indulged in excessive material wastage, oblivious to the consequential impact on operational efficiency. In other words, I was very careless about how I used my materials, as long as the product’s outcome was what I had envisioned.

At present, I am a lot more mindful of the usage of the materials. There is less waste, which undoubtedly gives me the same product as before, but done with a lot more consciousness. I practice better judgment, measurements, and awareness when fabricating my products. This conscientious shift in perspective has empowered me to exert precise control over expenditures, thus positively impacting both cost management and revenue generation.

While recognizing the individuality of each business, I find that looking into my past shortcomings has proven instrumental in refining my cost management practices. Occasionally, the key lies not solely in seeking transformation, but rather in identifying areas amenable to enhancement.

Sabrina, 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?

For those of you who have not heard about me or my business, my name is Sabrina Enriquez and i am the founder of Top Coat: Resin Creations. Like many businesses, Top Coat was a Covid-19 baby. We will turn 3 years old on September 2023!

During this time, I was in my last year of college. At the time i was working towards my BFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design as well as a double minor in Marketing and Spanish. Some of my classes at the time (including my thesis) were all about marketing, branding yourself as an artist, and showcasing your products properly. One day, right before the entire world stopped and experienced the world-wide quarantine, I went to the store and purchased anything i could possibly need for DIY activities that could keep me entertained for as long as the quarantine lasted. Along with these materials was an epoxy resin kit for beginners. Initially, this was all in an effort to keep me from getting bored, but to my surprise, I fell in love with resin instantly.

I then got the idea to use this as my thesis project, which was about creating a brand and working entirely on the identity design, marketing, mission, products, etc. I decided that what i wanted to focus on was on creating resin accented serveware where its uniqueness enhanced your kitchen or living space.

I started creating resin-coated wooden boards that were food safe and could be used as a centerpiece for your table, a perfume or jewelry tray for your bedroom, or a unique charcuterie board for hosting a girls night in, date night with your spouse, or a get together with friends. Our products were statement pieces that looked beautiful during parties and between parties.

Top Coat is a one woman show and as the years pass, i only become more proud of the business that i have been able to create and the person i have become. Although i consider myself a highly independent individual, this business would not have been possible without the constant support of my family and friends. They believe in me, but most importantly, they believe in my product, and that is what makes me the happiest. I hope to keep growing and producing my goods for many years to come!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Top Coat: Resin Creations was launched during the pandemic in 2020 and at the beginning, it was really hard to reach an audience that was outside of my family or friend group. My friends and family helped me a lot by sharing my profile and content on their social media, but it wasn’t until a year later that i started participating in pop-up markets, farmers markets, and open houses, when i really noticed an increase in an audience that had nothing to do with my usual followers (friends and family). The exposure that i got when participating in these events has really made a difference in my business. During these events, I get to meet people who don’t even have social media, who don’t live in the area and would have never found me if it wasn’t for these events, and people who wouldn’t have had the same reaction by seeing my products online rather than in person. I highly recommend this type of exposure if you want to get your business out there!

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Top Coat is a one woman show when it comes to the resin designs and pouring. When I started my business, I knew nothing about epoxy resin. I took a couple of courses to help me fully understand the product, I watched a lot of youtube videos and also did a lot of research. As time passed, I have learned a lot of things that I did not know before. For instance, I used to never wear a mask when dealing with resin, now i know that it is crucial for your health to not inhale those toxic fumes!! Another example is that I started off by winging it and would never wear gloves, after burning my hands a couple of times, i now own a million boxes or gloves (lol). It has definitely been a learning experience for me but i am happy to say that I have gotten way, way better since when i started in 2020!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @top.coat_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topcoatresin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinaenriquezk

Image Credits
Sabrina Enriquez (myself), Old Pueblo Market