Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Goetz
Libby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello! I am Libby Goetz and started Stitch by Libby 4 years ago! When I learned I was pregnant in 2019 I decided I wanted to teach myself to sew so possibly I could have a skill that could help me make a few extra dollars. I started sewing baby items first because I was going to have a baby and then so many friends and family were also expecting and baby items are small so it’s an easy thing to start! At that time I had no clue if I would start selling anything. But then Covid hit and everyone needed masks so I started to sell them. I didn’t enjoy the actually mask making but enjoyed working with people finding fabrics that fit their personality. After I was done making masks I decided I should try and sell things I enjoy making. I started a Facebook page to start and then just kept learning to make different things and posting my items. Then my cousin asked me to do my first market with her. That opened a whole new avenue of selling and slowly started to do more markets and find a few shops to be in! Now my favorite way is to sell in person at events! I never thought I would be the type of person who would enjoy selling in person but I was wrong and love it!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s never going to completely smooth I don’t think. There will always be challenges and struggles but I just don’t focus on the negativity and then find ways to make it better and if I can’t control I try not stress about it. I am pretty sure no matter how long I do this I will learn to make something that will be a complete flop every once and while or I will have horrible sales at an event. I just adjust my plan and keep trekking. I am the only person running Stitch by Libby so I have to learn every aspect and struggle in certain areas and make mistakes but my goal is just not to make the same mistake again and focus on getting better at my weaknesses.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I sell a lot of different items such at toddler aprons, ponchos, bows, earrings, crayon holders and more. I like to find different prints to fit everyone’s personality and I also like to find ways to use all my material so there is less waste and I can keep my products at a reasonable cost. For example I first started to make bows and had lots of small pieces of material left over but I never threw it away. I eventually started to make earrings out of the smaller pieces and then bookmarks because I had lots of long skinny pieces. I also have a tray of small bows at my popups that all come from my scrap bin. Then my really small pieces I make into stud earrings. I love to be able to make things affordable and having lots of different prints that people get excited for when they find a print they love! I think because of all that is what sets me apart from others. That is something I am proud of. I am also proud of the repeat customers I now have that are looking for me at events, I don’t think that feeling of excitement will ever go away when they make a comment of how they were excited you were doing this event or how they have been looking for you.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be just to keep going and make adjustments when something doesn’t go as plan and don’t look at it like failure. If you have the right attitude it will get a lot farther. Also ask questions to people who have been doing this longer than you. I have learned so much from others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @stitchbylibby
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17oLRZ1AsZ/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
