Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Murphy

Hi Kristin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

My story begins from the time I was young making crafts in my parent’s basement to helping my grandmother tear apart furniture to be brought back to life in her garage. As I grew older I began attending craft shows to sell the items I would create with the help of my family. At a local craft show I was approached and informed my friend would be selling her flower and gift shop and I knew it was the right time to take things to the next level selling my items from a storefront rather than from a folding table at craft shows. I’m now just shy of six years in and wouldn’t change a thing from where my story started to how I got myself to the now.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Self employment and starting your own business has so many ups and downs, with the ups outweighing the downs. It is a huge learning process, even just for basic items as to where to get supplies and inventory, to how to navigate social media and learn what marketing tools work and don’t work. Budgeting and watching income/expenses is also a lot of work and takes time to manage and truly understand. In my time of being a business owner one of the best ways I’ve been able to describe it is ‘it is one of the hardest but most rewarding jobs out there’.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

We call ourselves ‘Kaybirds Flower and Gift Shop’, but it truly is so much more. We bring in items to sell from other companies, but at the same time we handcraft many items as well. My parents have been a huge part in being able to handcraft and upcycle items into truly one of a kind pieces. The shop is also known for furniture, not only Amish made but hand built and upcycled as well. My grandmother builds some truly beautiful pieces of furniture that are always one of a kind. We like to source old pieces and bring them back to life as well. Our furniture serves as our display pieces here in the shop, which causes the store to be everchanging and is something that sets apart and makes the shop look different every time you pay us a visit. We serve as a florist as well and are always looking forward to trying new ideas for any type of event whether it be a birthday party, anniversary party, wedding or any type of celebration.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?

Social media has been great not only for advertising but for seeing other ideas as well and turning them into our own with items that we have or are able to source. Everyone’s go to, Pinterest, keeps me inspired to take ideas and put my own spin on them. To keep up on flowers and plant arranging and knowledge I typically read resource books to continue gaining knowledge and learning about techniques and care for fresh cut flowers and/or plants.

Pricing:

• Our prices are typically lower than retail chain stores

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopkaybirds.com
• Instagram: kaybirds_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaybirds

Image Credits

Toni Walley Photography
Leia Grace Photography
Chelsey Hicks Photography