Meet the Vendor: Rosie Lynn Designs

Welcome to the GypsyMoon Chronicles! We are so excited to share with you, Rosie Lynn Designs! Read below to learn more about her business and what they’ll be offering at GypsyMoon!

Grab your tickets to GypsyMoon Marketplace so you can shop with Rosie Lynn Designs November 3, 4, & 5!

How would you describe your business to someone you've never met? What products/services do you provide? Where and how can someone shop with you?

Rosie Lynn Designs is an embroidery boutique. And, while monogramming is definitely a large part of what I do, there is so much more to it than that. We all want something unique, something different, when gift giving, celebrating a special event, or are shopping for ourselves. RLD offers many accessories like keychains, wallets, headbands, seasonal head gear, and jewelry. Items like this are not usually personalizes, but I am doing the pre-shopping for my customers to narrow down thousands of choices into a more manageable selection. I definitely specialize in embroidered hats and bags - this is what I am known for - but I also have personalized baby gear, aprons, beach towels, and have most recently added sweatshirts for embroidery. Many of my items have been designed by me, but customers also have the opportunity to create something completely unique. I personally work with each customer to take their ideas and turn them into a finished product they can be excited about. Sometimes this is a dad wanting a new hat to support his kid's soccer team, or a bride looking for special gifts for her bridesmaids, or even a small business wanting to put their brand on merch. I recently launched a brand new website and have been working to link it to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Items can be purchased from the website: www.rosielynn.com OR I am still on Etsy, which is where I started, at: www.etsy.com/shop/rosielynndesigns . Of course, you can also shop with me at GypsyMoon Marketplace!

When and how did your business first begin?

Ha. I love to tell a good story, but no one will want to read 3 pages on how I came up with the idea. I'll keep it short and sweet. I am independent, a risk-taker, a little impulsive, and a whole lot of optimistic. I originally thought I would stick to baby gifts - an "I could make that" moment after receiving some super cute burp cloths for my girls - but then decided to make myself a White Squirrel hat one day. That was it. I was hooked. I opened my shop on Etsy in May 2018 with 5 listings and have been growing since then! It started as a side hustle, but in 2021 (after going from full time to part time for a year) I made the decision to quit my "day job" and run Rosie Lynn full time.

What is your favorite thing about what you do?

Shopping and gift-giving. Making people happy. I love it. So much. While it can be overwhelming to choose items my customers will like or to come up with designs (there are SO MANY cool things out there), I love being able to shop for a living. I get to people-watch for ideas on what is trending for different demographics (another thing I love), and use that knowledge when shopping my wholesalers. My very favorite, though, is probably the gift-giving. In my personal life, Christmas and birthdays are my jam - I usually go overboard buying things that will make my family feel special and excited. With RLD, I get to do that a thousand times over. So many that purchase from me are buying a gift for someone special, or wanting some swag for a special occasion. When their loved one opens the gift from MY shop and loves it, or their girlfriends wear their matching hats on the beach - it's like I got to be there and make them happy too. It is a really cool feeling.

If you could turn and talk to yourself back when you first started your business, what would you tell yourself?

Go all in from the beginning. Trust your instincts. Research business practices. Get an established small-business owner to mentor. My risk-taker personality worked against itself at the beginning. Equal parts of "I'll figure it out as I go" and "Unsure I will be able to do this" kept me from doing all the legwork in the beginning. There are so many resources out there for small-business owners - funding, support, knowledge, etc. I would tell myself that this IS going to work - you will do this - but do your research now so it is easier to do the "boring" part of being a business owner later.

What advice would you give to someone who is wanting to start selling at shows/barn sales?

Have a plan. Plan what to bring by looking at the season, trends, what things will appeal to a wide audience. Plan how you will set up your booth ahead of time. Some of the smaller details just happen as you are there, but having a plan for the basic layout and larger display items/furniture makes it so much less stressful. Shop the barn sales/craft shows before you decide to try and set up as a vendor. Knowing what you did and didn't like as a shopper, really helps you when you are a vendor. Make sure you have support. It is a lot of work to set up for a show - make sure you have friends or family that can help when you need it.

Where did you think of Rosie Lynn Designs? I love it as your business name!

This was harder than I thought - picking a name. I wanted something that could encompass many types of products so I wouldn't have to change the name if my business went a different direction than originally planned. I also wanted a little personal touch in there. My youngest's middle name is "Rose" and my oldest's middle name is "Lynn". I wanted something that would flow. Ultimately, I landed on Rosie Lynn Designs.

Do you ever experience burnout? What makes you feel inspired & revived?

Yes. If a small business owner ever says they don't experience burnout - they're lying. LOL. Being a small-business owner often feels like you are an island and can be lonely. All the decisions, all the ups and downs, the success of your business - it is all on you. There is SO much work "behind the scenes", and usually people (myself included) get into a business because they enjoy making - not because they love Quickbooks. So, yes, there is burnout. But - it doesn't take much for me to feel inspired or revived. A fun group order, a "good" week in sales, talking to fellow business owners that "get it", hearing from customers on how much they love their order....MEETING customers at GMM...

What is your favorite thing about being at GypsyMoon Marketplace? What is something you want to tell the shoppers?

Fav about GMM: Socializing. As much work as it is, GMM always makes me inspired again. It is so great to talk to people and help them with shopping. I love reconnecting with fellow vendors! I have made some good friends and am always excited to see them again. You feel like you are a part of something bigger and with people who have the same struggles or joys that you do. Everyone is always so welcoming and kind. The venue is beautiful. I am always amazed at the finished product and it motivates me to bring my A-game.

Tell the shoppers: A lot of work goes on the weeks before, and even up to the few minutes before you come in to shop. We are all excited for you to come and shop our booths. Everything we do is with you in mind. Enjoy the booths, say the compliments you are thinking, smile and talk when you can, ask any questions you have, and be patient when it's busy. Enter the giveaways, join the mailing list, follow on social media - we are all small businesses and your support helps SO much!

Can you give us a few sneak peeks on what you'll be bringing to GypsyMoon?

Yay!! I am bringing a bunch of cold weather gear - headbands, beanies, ear muffs. I have adorable pom pom beanies for adults AND kids. Also some new purses and backpacks. Of course, hats... :) Several accessories like keychains and keychain wallets. I will also have a couple embroidered sweatshirts this year. I am pretty excited about all the new stuff!!