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

Tawnee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Wyldwood Creative, we’re all about making sewing as accessible as possible. One way we do that is through our sliding scale class pricing. We know finances can vary from person to person, so we want to make sure our classes work for any budget.

Our sliding scale has some income guidelines to help folks decide where they might fall, but ultimately, it’s up to them to choose the price that feels right for their budget. We don’t ask for proof of income because we trust our community—and that trust has been well-placed! We’ve seen people pay across the full range of the scale, which helps make this program sustainable for everyone.

For those who can’t afford the sliding scale prices at all, we also offer a scholarship program to make sure cost isn’t a barrier. Funds for the program come from our community and 100% of the funds donated are used towards paying the class fee for students.

We believe everyone can benefit from exploring their creativity, and we’re so grateful to be part of a community that values making that possible.

Tawnee, 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?

Wyldwood Creative started because I wanted to share my love of creating with my community. When I opened the business in October 2019, it was primarily a classroom space where people could come together to learn, make, and connect. But just a few months later, the pandemic forced a major pivot. To survive, we shifted our focus to e-commerce, and since then, Wyldwood Creative has grown into something truly special. Our community really rallied around us. The retail side of the business is now a main focus with online sales making up about 60% of our revenue.

We’re different than the traditional quilt shop or fabrics shop. We offer a carefully curated selection of modern fabrics and high-quality sewing tools, all with a little touch of magic. From natural fiber materials to unique kits, cards, pins, and stickers, we prioritize quality and creativity while supporting other small businesses in our community. We have a “less is more” approach in our small but mighty shop. We focus on bright and bold fabrics in fun colors and prints. We’re not for everyone but we’ve found our people and they are loving what we offer.

We also provide a higher level of service than the big box stores. We know that stepping into a fabric store can be intimidating, especially for beginners. Unfortunately, we’ve heard too many stories about people being met with less-than-enthusiastic help at other shops. At Wyldwood Creative, we’re here to change that. We’re happy to help you figure out your project, offer guidance, and cheer you on in your creative journey.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. Whether it’s through our sliding scale classes, the fabrics we carry, or the conversations we have with customers, everything we do is about making creativity more accessible and joyful. For us, it’s about so much more than selling fabric—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels inspired and supported.

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

I built Wyldwood Creative’s social media presence by being real and showing up as myself. On Instagram, I spent a lot of time talking directly to the camera, sharing behind-the-scenes moments—both the good and the bad. I’ve talked openly about the challenges of balancing selling new materials with a commitment to sustainability, and I’ve always been upfront about our values, like supporting racial equity, Land Back movements, and women’s rights. As a queer-owned business, creating an inclusive and welcoming space has always been at the heart of what we do, and I think that resonates with people. People know that their dollar has power and they want to spend it with businesses who share their values. I think being open about ours has only helped us.

While Instagram helped us build a solid foundation, we really gained traction on TikTok. One of our most popular series is where I make fun little mystery bundle videos—folks love a bit of mystery! Those videos have been such a hit and helped us connect with a whole new audience of makers. Not to mention providing some financially stability this year when things got pretty tough.

If I could give advice to anyone just starting out, it would be to be yourself. Don’t waste time trying to copy what’s working for someone else—it won’t feel authentic, and it probably won’t work the same way for you. Instead, experiment and keep trying until you find the thing that feels natural and sustainable for you. There’s no magic formula for social media; it’s about finding your voice, building connections, and doing it in a way that fits into your life without burning you out.

Any advice for managing a team?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale starts with a commitment to paying your staff a living wage. When I started Wyldwood Creative, that was non-negotiable. If I couldn’t pay myself or my staff fairly, it was a sign that something needed to change in the business model. Treating your team well starts with ensuring they’re compensated fairly for their time and effort.

The second piece of advice is to trust your gut. Your business can feel like your baby, and it’s hard to let go and trust others. When I hire, I focus more on the vibes I get from someone than their resume. The staff members who have stayed the longest and been the most committed are the ones I had a good feeling about from the start.

Lastly, keep an open mind—this is something I’m still learning! When I first started, it was just me, and I didn’t hire anyone for the first year and a half. Delegating was a real challenge because I wanted to make sure everything was done “right.” But I’ve learned that the way I’ve always done something isn’t the only way or even necessarily the best way. Creating an environment where employees feel safe to share their ideas has been critical to our growth. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their input and collaboration.

When it comes to morale, I think it’s important to remember that we’re all human. Mistakes are going to happen—it’s inevitable. Offering grace and understanding when they do goes a long way. When your team feels supported, valued, and trusted, they’ll bring their best selves to work, and that energy is contagious.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wyldwoodcreative.com
• Instagram: wyldwoodcreative
• Facebook: wyldwoodcreative
• Linkedin: Tawnee Kinnebrew
• Youtube: wyldwoodcreative
• Yelp: Wyldwood Creative
• Other: Tiktok: Wyldwoodcreative

Image Credits

Heather Lewis Portraits