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

Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Coming up with an idea and actually executing was always been a struggle. Should I…..Can I? 7 years ago it was just a thought in my head and seeing things on Pinterest and thinking “I can make that”edit things, and liking them but were too girly for my taste. It started off as jewelry with natural stones and skulls. Then went into making party decorations but made things that you would never seen in store. Eventually I made enough money to buy myself a cricut machine. And i only expanded from there. I was making tshirts, Cups, invitations. Just having that machine opened up more things I could make. At the time we lived at my mother in laws really have room for much supplies. But now we have our own apartment, and I converted out dining room into my work area. For both by day job and my small business. As time goes by I’m adding to my equipment. I got a second cricut machine, a screen printing press, a printer that can print images for Tshirts. It’s just a matter of advertising more, which has been my goal this year of 2024.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I was younger, we didn’t have the means to have to newest items on the market. So a lot of the time, we made do with what we had. Or my mom would craft something for us that no one else had. My mom would always show me how to make things, when it was someone’s birthday or even a quincenera, we would help out in making everything. She taught me that making things for someone no matter what it was came from the heart, and meant more then buying something. I took this with me in life and everything I do. I want to bring someone’s request to life and put everything I have into it. I create a wide range of things for my customers. Whether it’s a Custom Tshirt, or a cake topper for a Kids party. Other items include custom tumblers, I sew scrunchies, make coffin wallets and purses, resin keychains. I try to make things with a spooky theme for all the holidays. Currently as I type this, I have someone inquire about having children’s tshirts altered to have snaps by the shoulder because the family sound out the youngest child has cancer and they need easy access for a Chemo Port. I think what sets me apart is that I like to take on any challenge or request someone throws my way. I want people to know that I will work for them and put my all to achieve what they want.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

As of right now, it has just been word of mouth. I work a full time job, going to school for my bachelors, have 4 Pets, kids, and running a household does take a lot of time. So I try and dedicate as much time as I can to Create Items to sell. My husband works as a mailman by day, but is a huge wrestling fan. So we go to wrestling shows a lot. I started making tshirts for local wrestlers in here in town, and with the way social media is now and days, they share and post that i made it for them and word gets around. The local wrestling community here is very supportive of each other and all the people connected to it. Whether it’s the photographers and videographers, or the ring announcers, or the wrestling students. They are all so supportive and share everything. But knowing they are willing share my page and tag in other opportunities when someone asks “Does anyone know someone who can make tshirts?” It lets me know I’m doing something right.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Setting your apart from the rest. When I create Tshirts for local wrestlers as merchandise, I package each shirt and label everything. Ive been told by several people they appreciate it because when they travel for shows they tend to throw everything together. When I package them theyre folded and labeled with shirt sizes, and have “Care Instructions” inside so their fans know how to properly care for the shirts. I also throw a Business card in with each shirt so they have my information and can pull all my social media with a QR code. So not only is this person wearing and supporting a wrestlers shirt, they also get my contact info in the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pushing-up-daisies-1.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingupdaisies1?igsh=bmR4emwyYXJ5aXN1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pushingupdaisies1?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Sarah pena