Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Gamble.
Claire, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Hailing from the South, my day job as a marketing manager brought me to Chicago in 2016. While I was so excited to explore a new city, I didn’t know many locals and found myself sans social calendar with some extra time on my hands. One night on my way home from the gym, I decided I wanted to start an Etsy shop selling cute coffee mugs. Don’t ask me how I got there, I don’t even know myself. On my walk, I brainstormed the name Bumble and Bustle and 5 hours later, the web domain had been secured and supplies ordered.
A year later, I was still loving the creative outlet, but wanted to expand beyond mugs. Instead of making different products, I started a lifestyle blog of the same name. Now that I’m a bit more settled, the side hustle is admittedly harder to keep up with, but it’s such a huge part of my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Has it been a smooth road?
Some parts have been smooth, others, not so much. Starting the Etsy shop was definitely the easiest part. With a little research and applying best practices, I had my first three sales before I even began promotion! If you’re a creative looking to start a shop, I’d highly recommend doing the leg work up front. Take the time to learn SEO for Etsy listings and set up your social channels with a pre-developed cadence of content. Without this, it will be very hard to get discovered and actually sell your craft!
The blog was a much tougher path. Again, I read everything I could find on starting new blogs, but the fact of the matter is I’m just not a developer, and it took a bit of finagling to get my blog – especially the design – to the place I wanted for launch. What I’d recommend: start with a realistic posting schedule and save up some funds to hire a developer if that’s not your strong suit either.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bumble and Bustle – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Bumble and Bustle now has two distinct offerings – the blog, where I post about topics ranging from travel guides to the latest fashion styles; and the Etsy shop where I sell custom coffee mugs with sassy sayings and on-trend designs. I’m passionate about social media and capture the best of both worlds on my Instagram account.
Above all else, I aim for an authentic presence. I think it’s so important to cover topics like mental health and my daily struggles alongside the triumphs. You won’t find sugar-coated stories or reviews on my blog!
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Everyone says to do what you’re passionate about, but the sad reality is our day jobs that pay the bills may not be a source of inspiration. And that’s okay. Find what makes you happy and pursue it – even if just as a hobby or side hustle.
Pricing:
- Coffee Mugs: $14.95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bumbleandbustle.com
- Email: hello@bumbleandbustle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumbleandbustle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bumbleandbustle/
Image Credit:
Sarah Chobanian, www.sarahchobanian.com, Instagram: @beautyintheye
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