We were lucky to catch up with Tara McClellan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Bearcat Sewing is named after my cat, Bear. My husband kept telling me to do a name that was an alliteration with my name, which I absolutely hated. So I went to a business name generator and came up with this! It has ended up opening up interesting stories when I am in-person markets.

Some background – I am based in Indianapolis, which is about 2 hours from Cincinnati, Ohio. During one of my first markets, I had a ton of people asking if I was an alum of University of Cincinnati and I couldn’t figure out why! Apparently, I had chosen to name my business off of their mascot. This has ended up being a great way to engage with customers, and I have even featured fabrics from a popular Cincinnati artist, Charley Harper.

Tara, 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?

Like so many people, I started my business as a Covid-hobby. I had a toddler and newborn when March 2020 hit and, back then, I thought I would have about 4-6 weeks of spending more time at home. I decided not potty train my toddler (not fun) and learn how to quilt (very fun). Quilting became a way to cope with the uncertainty of the world. It gave me space to think, take time away from my family, and combat deep depression. Once I made quilts to my kids and myself, I started to make them for friends and family, which then led to me trying to sell quilts at markets.

Once in-person markets began again, I was excited to share what I thought would be products people would love. However, I learned over and over again during those first markets that people were not willing to pay for a high end quilt at a weekend market, but were more interested in my smaller products. After taking a look at my successes and failures at markets, I moved into making quilted bags, totes, and wallets. Being aware of price points and the customers have made markets more successful and insightful for me.

Although Bearcat is mostly bags at this point, I have also been able to have some commissioned quilts. Through displaying quilts at my markets and word-of-mouth, I have been able to make several quilts that hold deep meaning. One was a quilt I designed for a mother of three children using their baby clothes. Another was a memory quilt for a friend’s mother who passed away. It is an incredible honor and I am deeply humbled to be able to celebrate and grieve with others through making quilts.

Bearcat has been a space for me to exercise my entrepreneurial and creative muscles while still staying home with my three young kids. My husband has been my biggest support by taking on early morning time so I can work and solo parenting on weekends that I have markets with joy. My kids are supportive and love to see what I am making. They are going to grow up thinking it was normal to play with zipper pulls and fabric scraps! Getting to share this journey with them is one of my key motivators. I share with my children my fears and anxieties about trying new things so that they can also see how they can be brave even when they are nervous. I want them to know that success doesn’t mean letters after their names but finding ways to serve others through their own giftings.

A part of my business that I don’t share often is that my goal is to create enough income to continue to make and giveaway quilts to people in my community. I feel honored to be able to give so generously to friends, family, and those who need comfort because of the products I sell for Bearcat.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My first market was a complete flop. I was in a place filled with vintage booths that were selling huge quilts for $50, while I was selling smaller quilts that I had labored over for over $200. It was two long days with my 1-year-old in tow, and I was incredibly discouraged. I wanted to quit right then, because I had paid a $200 booth fee and sold less than $100 worth of products.

The only reason I did the next market was because it was already scheduled and I had paid to attend. And that market was, again, disappointing. After the first several markets, I cried to my husband that it was worthless and I should stop wasting time. He was encouraging, giving me suggestions, and let me wallow a bit.

But after each “failure,” I kept going back. I think I would forget a bit about how devastating it was and how exhausting it was. Yet, I continued to go to markets and put on a face of bravery. With each market, I have been able to see growth in my ability to engage with customers, create displays that are inviting, and make sales. I have tweaked my displays and products at each market, with mixed results. But I continue to work on what will serve my customers best and bring the best balance in my life.

Bearcat is a business that is currently built on the resilience that my husband, kids, and friends have built in me. They have been the ones that have pushed me to continue despite my own fears.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My most lucrative place for new customers has been in in-person markets in my area. That has led to commissioned pieces as well as wholesale opportunities. I have also built my email list exclusively through in-person markets

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bearcatsewing.com
• Instagram: bearcat.sewing
• Other: faire.com/direct/bearcatsewing