Meet the Maker: letterhappy
Meet Christen Strang! A fan of all things Disney World, football, the beach, she is the owner of letterhappy based in Mobile, AL. After graduating from college, Christen was searching for a creative outlet that would allow her to work for herself and letterhappy was born! She is a wonderful example of taking your passion and turning it into a businesses. We can't wait to share her story!
How did you come up with your business name?
I started letterhappy purely as a stationery and art print business. Everything was centered around words and quotes, so the name was a nod to that. Over the years, I’ve expanded past paper products, but I always try to stay true to those roots as much as I can. This year brought the introduction of stretchy bracelets into letterhappy. They are so fun to personalize with words and names, so they fit right in with the rest of the family!
Tell us about your products/merchandise
Letterhappy has unique enamel keychains and pins, prints, cards, and beaded bracelets. I believe everybody deserves a little happy, and that’s what I try to put out into the world with my products. Whether it’s a gift for themselves or someone they love, I just want to put smiles on people’s faces!
Where all do you currently sell?
You can find letterhappy on Etsy a and see behind the scenes on Instagram @christenstrang!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a small business?
The uncertainty, for sure. Running a small business doesn’t come with a steady paycheck, which is scary! I’ve had to learn to go with the flow, continue to evolve, and constantly try new things.
What has been your biggest success? I quit my day job in August of 2020 and decided to focus all of my energy on my business for the first time since I started it. I’m incredibly proud to say that I’ve hit and exceeded all of my sales goals for the back half of the year, and I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings as my first full year 100% self-employed!
What is one thing you wish you knew before starting your small business?
The business you start won’t always be the business you end up running. Trends change, style
evolves, products go in and out of popularity. You have to continually be growing, learning, and
evolving if you want to keep your business afloat. Don’t get stuck trying to make something
work because it’s what YOU once loved. You have to listen to your customers and create what
THEY currently love.
What is the best piece of advice you would give someone aspiring to start their own small business?
Just go for it! Do your research, make a plan, and commit. Ask for help. Friends and family will
be your biggest supporters, and they want to see you succeed! Things will be hard. Don’t give
up. The world needs what you have to offer! What are your goals for your business moving forward?
I think every small business owner would tell you that their ultimate goal is to provide a good
life for themselves and their families. On top of that, I would love to get to a place where I can
invest in other small business start-ups, give coaching and guidance, and help more people
realize the dream of business ownership! You can shop letterhappy on Etsy and in The Maker and Merchant!