Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlyn Tsikretsis
Hi Caitlyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Haysi Handcrafts became a dream of mine in 2023. It all started when I realized what the struggle is with working while being a college student and an athlete. I talked to my mother and my grandma about working and it came to me that maybe opening a small business was the best option for me. I found myself playing with different logo designs, names, colors, pinterest boards, and amazon wish lists of things I would have if I owned a small business. One night, my grandparents were over and I was completing some assignments for my classes when my family sat me down and asked, “What do you think about actually owning your own business?”. This sparked so many ideas of mine. I did a lot of research into what it takes and the challenges it will bring. One of the most memorable nights in making this business happen was the night we picked the name. I had our logo made, but I wasn’t sure which name fit best. That is when the name ‘Haysi Handcrafts’ came along. The word ‘Handcrafts’ was used because every item I sell is made by me and in what I call my “warehouse” aka my garage. The word ‘Haysi’ comes from my great grandma’s hometown of Haysi, Virginia. Even the logo is an homage to her because elephants were her favorite animal. Once the name and logo came along, it was time to start discovering what products I was going to sell. Sublimation items are a fun and creative way to put onto some of your favorite items such as tumblers, clothes, bags, puzzles, and so much more you can think of! My favorite designs to make are the customization orders where you can put your own pictures and names on items. When I opened my business in early 2024, I immediately started doing events such as town festivals and crafts fairs. Overall, Haysi Handcrafts has become one of my biggest accomplishments in life outside of my academic and bowling achievements. Owning this at just 21 years old has taught me so much and it has also blessed me with meeting so many other small business owners and some amazing customers. I couldn’t do it without my family and friends who support me and my great grandma looking down on me!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When owning a small business, there are always going to be some struggles. When starting a business, you have to spend money to make money. All of the items from products, to machines, to event essentials come from my own finances. Selling the items is what helps you make your money back and start the process of profiting. Another obstacle was the process of getting the business license and a state retail license. Doing my research on everything helped me through this process more than if I didn’t have the basic knowledge of it all. Also taking the chances on events. For almost all events, you have to pay a vendor fee to get in. Sometimes you will get waitlisted or even rejected from an event depending on the amount of vendors they already have. Because I sell sublimation items and it is such a popular category for small businesses, I do get rejected from some events because they are already at capacity for vendors who make sublimation items. Lastly, the want and need to always have minor changes. After seeing other vendors at events and watching others online, you always will get the ideas of what you can change or modify for your business. Personally, this included me starting a business TikTok page where I can go live, the layout of my booth, and the displays for my products. Other than small obstacles, things have run pretty smoothly, especially with all the support I get from my loved ones.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make sublimation items, which is honestly a very popular crafting business item. I take images and designs and put them onto many items that people could use on an everyday basis. These items included 20 oz tumblers, front license plates, puzzles, keychains, car coasters, and more. Along with my 3 newest products; 4 in 1 stainless steel koozies, earrings, and trucker hats! My most popular product is definitely the 20 oz tumbler which I call the “Sub Cup”. Something I am most proud of is the courage I had to start this business. Before the business, I was just a stressed college student and was just getting back into the sport she loved. If you would have told me a year ago today that I would start a small business at the age of 20, I’d probably tell you you’re absolutely crazy and I could never do it. Turns out, I can. The journey of owning Haysi Handcrafts has taught me that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. There are going to be days, weeks, and months where it is crazy busy, but also very slow at times. I have felt hopeless at times, but then everything started back up at lightning speed. It is all just a process and takes patience. I feel that we are set apart from others by our back story and the behind the scenes work that is put into Haysi Handcrafts. I make everything from my own home and on my own time while also managing time for classes and assignments, bowling, family, and personal time.
How do you define success?
Success to me is the accomplishment of small goals that you have set and/or finding the happiness in what you are doing. Some goals I have set for myself in the past for the business and have accomplished are finalizing a logo and name, getting accepted into my first event, making my money back at my first event, getting my first customized order, and so many more. My latest big success being my acceptance into the Holiday Fair at the Greenville Convention Fair being held December 5th though the 7th. My current small goal at the moment is to get a website started for Haysi Handcrafts.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haysihandcrafts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554016562610
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@haysi.handcrafts
