Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Diaz.
Hi Brittany, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started crafting in 2015 when I lived in California to pass the time and make extra money on the side. I was pregnant with my oldest son and needed to keep busy. I have always enjoyed trying out new handwriting and creating fancy signage for parties.
Once my chalk signs began to take off I also started selling signs on Etsy. I was gifted an iPad Pro in 2019 and went totally digital. I create family portraits for customers with loved ones lost and added business logos for friends, and Instagram content for other small businesses like me.
Since our move to San Antonio Texas, I have begun to bake as well as tie dye socks here and there! I now sell delicious banana pudding, espresso brownies, and peach cobblers—in mini, family, and party sizes. Right now my focus is on building up my SA customer base and meeting other small businesses like me.
You can find me at the SA Local PopUps on certain Sundays, and soon at the next Texas Quality Vintage event as well! Since my move, I’ve lost a lot of regular customers that also became friends (It’s very hard to ship to Cali on short notice). So I am hoping these events will help me expand my customer base out here in SA!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely been an up-and-down rollercoaster. Since I first started, I had no clue how to price my craft and was always undercharging. Now I have begun to value both myself and my work a lot more.
The pandemic helped me out a lot with getting me noticed! But this recent move has taken me back a little, which is okay. I can only hope that by networking on Instagram and Facebook that I’ll be able to bring in as much as I was before.
I also personally struggle with my mental health and have had to overcome a lot mentally to put my business out there in a new state. Being a mom on top of it all is a task as well but all I do is for the benefit of my boys and to show them how far their dreams can take them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I honestly do anything I’m asked creativity-wise! I try not to block myself off to one pathway. Like I said before I do digital artwork like portraits, invitations, sticker designs, T-shirt designs, etc. I also create chalkboard signage for events and photo ops.
I am good about trying something new as well, I’ve had many come to me for random designs that I don’t normally make and gotten them done in a timely manner. Tie-dye is also something I do with my best friend Ki and we have another side hustle called The To Dye For Co. where we tie dye Nike socks. I recently began baking and posting more about mental health on Instagram with daily affirmations and words that help me get by mentally.
My baking includes banana pudding and lemon bars recipes from my father, and an espresso brownie and peach cobbler recipe from my mother. I take orders Sun-Wednesday with pickups on Friday and Saturday in San Antonio near the 1604 and 90. What sets me apart is my amazing communication skills and customer service.
I do all I can to ensure my customers leave more than happy with any commission I take on. I am also known to become great friends with returning customers and help them with tips and trips for their small biz.
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
My happiness and my family are definitely what matter most.
My happiness comes from being able to be in my creative element while supporting my family—hence the multiple businesses and going above and beyond for customers. I have done the 9-5 and found that it’s not worth the time I miss being with my kids.
Now I can make my own hours and take on as many projects as my schedule with my family will allow. If I want to take a whole week off I can. I don’t need to worry about finding coverage or my boss questioning my need for a mental health day.
Pricing:
- Sweet Treats $5-$40+
- Digital Artwork $10-$100+
- Tie Dye $6-60+
- Vinyl &Chalk Signage $10-100+
- Business Artwork $40-100+
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thelittlebeeandme?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thelittlebeeandme/
- Other: liinks.co/thelittlebeeandme
