We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Valerie Gunsett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Valerie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

You have to understand, success isn’t a straight line—it often involves bumps, adjustments, and the occasional leap of faith. Success is a combination of perseverance, adaptability, and a deep commitment to your passion. It’s not just about talent or luck; you have to consistently show up, stay true to your values, and be willing to learn and adjust along the way. My businesses all began as simple hobbies—baking cookies for friends, creating custom items for special occasions, or helping a friends and family plan a memorable trip. What started as small, personal gestures gradually grew through word of mouth and referrals, eventually evolving into thriving businesses that keep me both creative and busy.

I believe that building strong relationships and staying customer-focused is key. Whatever your business is, it is about connecting with people and making them feel valued and like family. Delivering high-quality work and maintaining consistency is also at the core of a successful business. This means clear communication regarding pricing, timelines, and processes, as well as timely delivery. Customer satisfaction is my priority, so I always respond promptly to inquiries and make sure to follow up after a sale, delivery, or booking to ensure the experience was positive. Happy customers are the backbone of any small business.

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

I started crafting as an outlet while we were living in a camper and building our house. Once we moved into our home, I dedicated a room to crafting, and it quickly grew through word of mouth. I learned new techniques, added more machines, and with the encouragement of my husband, added embroidery. I absolutely love creating unique, personalized items for my clients’ special events. With the help of my husband, we offer custom embroidered luggage tags, quilts, and custom orders. I also create vinyl shirts, banners, invitations—pretty much anything people can dream up for their special occasion, I try my best to make it a reality.

As for cookies, baking has always been a passion of mine, and I had always wanted to learn how to decorate beautiful sugar cookies. During the COVID lockdown, I found an online class and began practicing on the weekends. When friends and family tried my cookies, they encouraged me to sell them. Given the time and effort it takes to make them, I’m committed to quality over quantity, I limit the number of orders I take each month. I also offer holiday and birthday themed DIY kits for a fun family activity.

Why travel planning? I’m a natural planner and have always loved planning Disney vacations for my family and friends. I used to joke that it was my dream job to help others plan Disney vacations. In 2023, while talking to a fellow mom at the ballfield about Disney, I said, “It’s always been my dream to get paid to plan Disney vacations.” She replied, “That is what I do! You should apply to my company!” That led me to apply, and I was hired. Now, I help clients plan vacations, cruises, and more, all while learning about various destinations.

Creating and planning are truly where I find my joy. My top priority is ensuring 100% client satisfaction—whether it’s with a custom item or a travel experience. As a perfectionist, I hold every order to the highest standards. If I’m not completely happy with something, it doesn’t go out the door. My goal is to make every client LOVE their product.

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

The best sources of new clients for me have been word of mouth and participating in school vendor events. Word of mouth has been incredibly effective, as satisfied clients refer me to their friends and family. While I don’t focus much on social media, attending school vendor events has allowed me to connect with a broader local community and showcase my work to potential clients in person. I’m also working on establishing a newsletter to stay in touch with my clients and keep them updated on new products, services, and special offers.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the smile and joy on my clients’ faces when they see the finished product. Knowing that my work has brought them happiness and helped make their special moments even more memorable is incredibly fulfilling. And of course, receiving a referral is the best compliment—it’s a true testament to the trust and satisfaction my clients have in my work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: vgunsett
• Facebook: Valerie Gunsett
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Cinder Photography