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

Sasha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

So when I started my business it was pre Covid. Originally Blackkribbon was a place where I’d sell my drawings, it wasn’t until once I noticed my witch hats where selling more is when I started making only witch hats. The first year was hard as it is with any business but when 2020 hit it was a lot worse. Because of Covid I barely made any sales since most of us were broke or dealing with life situations. During this time I spent a lot of days and nights wishing I did this sooner but unfortunately I couldn’t change that so all I could do was stick it out. It was very hard for me mentally because I felt like well all these other businesses were still making sales and I’m lucky if I even get one. I spent a lot of time comparing myself and even considering stopping Blackkribbon but my husband would always tell me not to quit because if I did I’d regret that more than how the year has been going for me.

It wasn’t until 2022 is when my business started to pickup more. In that year I was going to markets every month sometimes several times in one month, applying to events, or even trying to redesign my booth layout because I wanted people to feel like when they walk into Blackkribbon they have a clear understanding of who I am as a person.

When I was able to vendor at this event called Denton Jazz Festival on October here in Denton TX it’s a big event and to do in the city of Denton. It’s a three day event with music, food, and tons of amazing artists selling their work. Once I got there I was super excited and nervous to see how people would respond to my work. I was floored when not only did people loved my witch hats, soy candles, and patchwork dresses, but I had a few tell me how they recognized my work and how excited they were to find out I was vending there.

This really helped me to understand that even though my first few years in business was hard and I wanted to quit but that my work is something worth doing and that people appreciate it.

Sasha, 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?

So Blackkribbon was started as a place were I could post and try to sell my drawings on Instagram. The reason why my business is called Blackkribbon is because growing up I loved this short story called the Girl with the Green Ribbon and black is my favorite color. When I went to type Blackribbon as a username it was already taken so to avoid having to put a number or anything weird to have that name I tried putting in another K and to my surprise that name wasn’t taken so that’s how Blackkribbon was made.

I first started selling my artwork but as time went on and how many years it’s been since I drew that wasn’t really going anywhere so I started adding witch hats and skirts. My hats started to pickup more than anything else I made so I focused mainly on making those. With all of my products I strive to give the best quality as I can also while maintaining that homemade feel. I feel like one of the things that sets me apart from other witch hat makers is I take pride in things that aren’t perfect and that everything I make is handmade. I understand the importance of professionalism in products and how it can help you sell more to customers but I feel like to many people forget that those items are handmade or designed by someone because of how polished it comes out. With Blackkribbon I want people to walk away knowing that their products where made by hand with love and care so if your candle don’t look perfect, or your patchwork dress is a little wonky, or even if our witch hats look simple you will know that someone made this especially for you imperfections and all.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what’s really set me apart from other witch hat makers is all my products are related to Halloween and that I keep fall products available year round. I’m from RI and Halloween was always my favorite holiday growing up so once I started to think how I wanted my business to feel I decided it should reflect a lot about me as a person and what my interests and hobbies are.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started my business I expected if I post and talk a lot about my business that that will draw people in and they’ll purchase my products. Well I had to learn real quick that one my drawings weren’t real good and two I can’t just sit around doing the bare minimum expecting a great reward. So it wasn’t until 2022 where like I said before I started to apply to multiple events around TX. I went to Waco, Austin, Houston, and Denton trying to sell my products to people and what I realized was I do a lot better when I’m in front of people rather than working online. So for this year I’m mainly focusing on larger events and trying to make new products and talk about it more rather than expecting social media to do all the work for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackkribbon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackkribbon/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Blackkribbon-643480932763642/?ref=bookmarks