Today we’d like to introduce you to Christyn Hawthorne
Hi Christyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Two and a half years ago I was a fulltime stay at home mom of a two year old. I also was babysitting my 2 year old nephew, and worked at night. I loved being able to be home during the day with my son and nephew, but I missed having something just for me. I missed being creative. I wanted to find a new creative hobby I could do around all the busy toddler to dos and shenanigans. I first dabbled in macrame, and then found macrame rainbows! I just fell in love immediately. I soon had rainbows all over my living room and knew if I was going to continue this new found hobby, I had to be able to sell them.
This quickly led me to opening an Etsy Shop. And the thing about that was, it forced me to make this little hobby legit and create a business name. During this same time, I was dealing with some personal struggles. I was grieving a pregnancy loss and still feeling the effects of struggling through infertility.
A little back story: My husband and I battled through infertility and struggled to get pregnant for three years. Which is an extremely difficult and lonely experience. Our journey led us to IVF. We were able to conceive one child, and during the process lost a pregnancy. When we lost our pregnancy, we were devastated. We decided we wanted to name him, he was a person to be mourned, missed, and remembered. We named him Fynnian Scott.
So, when I, within a week, went from making my first macrame rainbow to opening an Etsy Shop and needed to create a business name, all I could think of was Rainbows for Fynn. I wanted to honor his life, speak his name, and in doing so hopefully help to change the narrative around infertility and pregnancy loss. Maybe it doesn’t have to be so lonely. Maybe we can make change so it is easier to talk about. It’s ok to talk about it. So many people unfortunately experience these losses and struggles, and there’s no reason to go through it alone.
When I was choosing this name, Rainbows for Fynn, I was hesitant. It’s vulnerable and I knew I would have to talk about it and answer questions. But I felt in my heart it was the right thing to do. Plus, I didn’t want Fynn’s life to be just a sad story. I wanted to take my experience and use it for good. I wanted to make beautiful things in his name, and send them all over the U.S. I wanted his name to be spoken and known, not something shameful or embarrassing. And now, 2 and a half years later I have shipped Rainbows for Fynn rainbows to all but 13 states! I have displays in 6 different shops and of course still have my Etsy Shop. Pretty awesome when I stop to think about where it started. But I think what means the most is all the conversations I’ve had. Women sharing how old their babies would be. People buying RFF items as gifts to show support to grieving mothers. Strangers telling me they love what I’m doing and it is making a difference. That’s what motivates me to keep sharing and keep going.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not always been a smooth road. I think my biggest challenge is getting in my head and just pushing through. Trying to not get emotional with the ups and downs of business. Also, I did not wake up and say, you know what, I would like to start a business. I would like to be a full-time mom, part-time hairdresser, and full time entrepreneur! It just kind of happened. And while I love it and am thankful, I’d be lying if I said it’s not overwhelming sometimes.
I’m grateful for it! I’m in awe of what I have been able to do and all of the amazing experiences! But it is hard. It is a lot. I have doubts. I feel ill equipped sometimes. And I’m sharing that because I know I’m not alone in that. Maybe someone else needs to hear that. But I just keep moving forward. Fynn has given me this gift and it has shown me how capable I really am. It has shown me to push through, to do things even when I am scared or unsure, to trust myself, to give myself grace. It really has taught me so much. Running and creating your own business is hard, and if someone says it’s not, they are lying to you. AND, you can do it. AND, it’s not always going to be perfect. You have to learn to go with the flow, shake things off, and just keep going. I’m still being reminded of that and improving on it all of the time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My main art is macrame rainbows or fiber rainbows. It’s creating rainbows with cotton macrame rope and either yarn or macrame cord. I also use this same art form to create more than just rainbows. People love seeing what else I come up with like my dinosaur, elephant, lion, and rocket wall hangings that are loved for nurseries and kids’ rooms. I also make little potted succulents that are so cute for your office desk or shelf at home. And people love my holiday items like my little pumpkin and ghosts for Halloween and my santa gnome Christmas ornaments for Christmas! If you look on Etsy you will see a lot of macrame rainbows, but you will not see a lot of the rainbow inspired items like I just listed. I also think my quality and attention to detail sets me apart. I have pride in my work. Every item I make is in Fynn’s name. I want everything I set out to have the best quality possible.
Also having a business with a cause and purpose makes me stand out from all the other macrame rainbow creators. I want my business to be more than rainbows. I am active on social media and share here and there about my story and journey as well as things that have to do with infertility, family building, pregnancy loss and more. I want to build community and connection around what I do. Not just sell rainbows. And some people are drawn to my items because of that, because there is a connection. Maybe they share a similar journey or know someone who has. Maybe they see why I’m doing what I’m doing and want to support it. The community, conversations, and connections I have made whether through social media or at markets, and even I’m sure ones I don’t know about like through Etsy are a huge part of what makes my business and what I do special.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Be friendly and open. Put yourself out there. Put your phone down and meet your neighbor at your next market. You never know who you will meet or what it might lead to. I have been amazed by all the people I have met through Rainbows for Fynn. From markets to fellow consignors, I have met so many amazing entrepreneurs that have been so welcoming and helpful. I haven’t really looked for a mentor, but I have found so many helpful and kind people through the creative community and learned and benefited from doing so. This has been true on social media as well. Through both Instagram and Facebook I have been surprised by the community I have found and how supportive and helpful people have been.
Pricing:
- small items $7-$15
- basic wall hangings $20-30
- intricate pieces like my animals $30-45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RainbowsforFynn.Etsy.com
- Instagram: rainbows_for_fynn
- Facebook: @RainbowsforFynn
- Other: @RainbowsforFynnVIPGroup
Image Credits
Sarah Schacher Photography