Community Highlights: Meet Kimberly Adams of The Dainty Hedgehog

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Adams.

Hi Kimberly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved making a house feel like a home, and I’ve never been afraid to roll up my sleeves and do the work myself. What started as a creative hobby began with wood-framed signs featuring cute sayings in vinyl. I loved making them, but I soon realized there were a lot of people making similar products, and I wanted to find a way to create something that felt more uniquely mine. I wanted to make things that people would truly love—pieces that were personal, a little unexpected, and not something they could find just anywhere. That’s when I discovered the possibilities of laser engraving and started creating layered wood signs. It was the perfect combination of design and hands-on creativity that I had been looking for. I opened an Etsy shop, launched my own website, and began creating licensed products for Ohio University, Ohio State University, and Miami University. As the business grew, so did my ideas. I expanded into engraved bottles and tumblers, eventually specializing in personalized and corporate Owala water bottles. I’ve since added licensing for 10 sororities and invested in a UV printer, which allows me to bring personalization to life in full color as well as through engraving. The business has grown and changed in ways I never could have imagined when I made that first sign, but the part I love most hasn’t changed: creating something with my own hands that makes someone else happy. When a customer comes back to tell me how much they love their order—or leaves a review sharing that excitement—it reminds me exactly why I started The Dainty Hedgehog in the first place.

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?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road! Building a business while trying to figure out what products would resonate with customers has involved a lot of trial and error. One of my biggest early challenges was realizing that just because I enjoyed making something didn’t necessarily mean it was a sustainable business. I had to learn to differentiate myself and find products that gave me a point of difference in a very crowded marketplace. There have also been plenty of learning curves along the way—from teaching myself new equipment and design techniques to navigating licensing, building an online business, and constantly adapting as customer preferences and opportunities change. I’ve invested in new equipment, taken chances on new product categories, and occasionally discovered that an idea that sounded great in my head didn’t quite work out the way I imagined!

But I think those challenges have been some of the most valuable parts of the journey. They’ve pushed me to keep learning, experimenting, and evolving. The Dainty Hedgehog today looks very different from where I started, and I’m sure it will continue to change. That’s part of what I love about being a small business owner—there’s always something new to learn, create, or figure out. Every challenge has helped me get a little closer to building a business that feels uniquely mine.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Dainty Hedgehog is all about creating gifts and home décor that feel personal, meaningful, and a little different from what you might find in a typical gift shop. I specialize in personalized and engraved products, from Owala water bottles and tumblers to collegiate and sorority gifts, ornaments, signs, and home décor. I love taking something practical or familiar and turning it into something that feels like it was made specifically for that person. I’m especially known for my personalized Owala water bottles, where I can combine engraving, unique designs, and now full-color UV printing to create something truly one-of-a-kind. I’m also proud to offer officially licensed products for universities and sororities, which allows me to create designs that feel fresh and unique while still capturing what makes those organizations special.

What I’m most proud of is the fact that I’m involved in the creative process from beginning to end. I’m not simply putting someone’s name on a product—I’m designing, experimenting, learning new techniques, investing in new equipment, and actually making the finished piece myself. I think that hands-on approach is a big part of what sets The Dainty Hedgehog apart. I’m always looking for ways to create something people haven’t seen before, whether that means a new design, a different way to personalize a product, or combining materials and techniques in a way that makes a piece feel special. Ultimately, I want my customers to open their package and think, “I absolutely love this.” When that happens, I know I’ve done my job.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is creating something that brings someone else joy. I love the entire process—from getting an idea in my head, figuring out how to make it work, and actually creating it with my hands, to seeing the finished product come to life. But the best part is knowing that something I made is going to be meaningful to someone else.

I especially love the opportunities The Dainty Hedgehog has given me to be part of my own community. Becoming licensed with Olentangy Schools has allowed me to create products that celebrate the schools and the people who are part of them. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with local dance and gymnastics studios, creating personalized items for their athletes and families. And one of the most rewarding things I do is create tumblers for a charity, knowing that something I make can help support a cause that is bigger than my business. Those projects are particularly meaningful to me because they allow me to use my creativity in ways that have an impact beyond simply selling a product.

Pricing:

• Collegiate Ornaments $16-$20
• Collegiate Signs $40-$140
• Personalized Owala Water Bottles $50-$60
• Personalize Yeti Coffee Cups $54-$60
• Collegiate Tumblers $20-$40

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daintyhedgehog.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedaintyhedgehog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/the-dainty-hedgehog/100079104210198/