Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Carroll

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

After graduating with a BFA from Virginia Tech in 2019, I worked as a full-time graphic designer before transitioning to freelance motion design in 2020, just before the pandemic hit. While I enjoyed freelancing for a while, I wanted more creative freedom to make what I desired rather than fulfilling client requests. So, I started my art shop, The Stray Shop.

Initially, I offered handmade stickers and prints of various subjects, primarily animals with an occasional cat thrown in. However, as more customers requested my cat artwork – the shop was originally named after my cats – I pivoted to focus exclusively on feline-themed collections. It’s been growing rapidly ever since!

Now rebranded and niched down, I sell high-quality cat-themed stickers, glassware, and apparel to cat lovers and retail shops across the United States.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Running a business is never a smooth ride. Social media may paint a rosy picture, but there are many failures and tears behind the scenes.

For a product-based business, one major challenge is securing funds to launch new products. It’s a delicate balance between ordering enough inventory to make your margins worthwhile and overbuying items that may never sell. Initially, I started small by ordering products in small batches to keep costs manageable. However, predicting customer preferences is always tricky. Fortunately, as I’ve built a community and gathered data over time, forecasting demand has become a bit easier.

Another obstacle is time management. Running my business full-time puts immense pressure on it to generate sufficient income. While a part-time job helps supplement during slow months, finances can still be tight, and good money management is crucial. Escalating costs don’t help either, but with support from my family, I’ve been able to make it work. I’m incredibly grateful for their help!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Stray Shop?

The Stray Shop is a cat-themed stationery, home goods, and apparel store operated from my studio in Virginia. I illustrate everything in the shop myself and give back to animals in need by donating up to 10% of profits to animal rescues.

I’m obviously known for my feline focus. I often get called the “cat lady” in my local town. While a cat-centric business concept isn’t entirely new, many competitors cover both cats and dogs or just dogs. When I first started, I frequently got asked, “Where is your dog stuff?” However, cat lovers are always thrilled to find a shop dedicated solely to their fluffy best friends, who are often overlooked.

I take great pride in my brand presence. After rebranding in March 2023 with the help of Shelbi South, having a beautiful logo undoubtedly aids in making us recognizable. But I’ve also cultivated an active, engaged, and incredibly sweet community. I have the best customers in the world who love to share their ideas with me and get excited about our growth. I’m always conducting polls and sneak peeks to allow my customers to be a part of my business journey.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

I would recommend finding a premade community! While networking on your own is valuable, I’ve found some of my best business connections through art-focused groups like Dylan Mierzwinski’s Patreon and Proof-to-Product’s LABS program. Having access to a space with like-minded individuals who are also seeking to network is incredibly helpful and makes the process much easier.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to take the initiative and reach out directly. For the past 3 years, I’ve met with a business friend almost every week over video chat simply because I asked if she wanted to support each other. It’s that simple! The worst they can say is no, but if you vibe with someone and know they’re also looking for a business connection, just send that DM.

Building a network takes effort, but joining existing communities and being proactive about connecting can go a long way in finding valuable peers and mentors in your industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thestrayshop.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strayshop.official/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strayshop.official/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8xTSwLrI-129F-tzjU3SiA
• Other: https://www.skillshare.com/en/user/taylorcarrollart