We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alex Crawley. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Alex, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Balancing life as a stay-at-home parent with running a business takes A LOT of invisible work. The late nights, the persistence, the quiet determination behind each piece. That sense of responsibility is especially evident in my keepsake blankets. Families trust me with their most precious items, and I don’t take that lightly. It reminds me of when I served on military funeral honors, knowing that every detail mattered because it represented someone’s loved one. You can’t see that foundation in the final product, but it’s there in every stitch, and it’s what I’m most proud of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Alex, the owner/creator behind MiniMae. I design and sew children’s clothing and keepsakes. My work ranges from memory blankets made out of cherished clothing to everyday outfits that let kids move, play, and just be kids.
What makes my brand unique is the heart behind it. As a veteran and a stay-at-home parent turned business owner, I’ve built MiniMae around slow fashion values: thoughtful design, quality fabrics, and pieces that last. Every item I make is personal: a memory preserved, a smile sparked, or a story stitched into fabric.
Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding my keepsake line while continuing to grow the children’s clothing side of the shop. For me, it’s not just about making clothes; it’s about building connections, honoring memories, and bringing a little joy into everyday life.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful wasn’t a happy one. It came out of surviving hardship.
Growing up in abuse and later in an abusive relationship, I learned early on that power sometimes looks like tenacity: refusing to break even when everything around you is trying to. When I ran away and joined the military, that tenacity became something more: discipline, strength, and purpose. Standing in uniform, serving with honor, and later leading military funeral honors, that’s when I realized my power wasn’t just survival, it was transformation. That same tenacity carries into motherhood and into my business today.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me endurance wrapped in perseverance. Success looks shiny on the outside, but it never demanded the same grit as clawing my way through abuse, leaving an unhealthy relationship, or rebuilding from scratch. Those moments forced me to become resourceful, to adapt, to keep moving even when nothing made sense.
This year, I was forced to rebrand due to a trademark issue. I poured that same tenacious energy into it, knowing you don’t quit when things hurt, you transform them. Suffering gave me the backbone to build something lasting.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie is that “handmade” is just a label you can slap on anything. Too many shops are reselling Temu junk or chasing fast fashion trends while still tagging their products as handmade. It dilutes what real makers/artists do and misleads customers into thinking everything is created with care and intention.
What I do isn’t fast, cheap, or disposable. When someone trusts me with their baby’s first outfit or a stack of shirts from a loved one who’s passed, that’s not a trend. That’s sacred work. I’d rather stand firm in slow, intentional craftsmanship than cut corners for the sake of looking popular or making a quick buck.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I’m building slow, on purpose. It would be easy to chase trends or mass-produce whatever’s hot this week, but that’s not what my brand is about. Every stitch is made with the idea of lasting, of being passed down, remembered, cherished.
That kind of trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built quietly, customer by customer, story by story. Choosing slow also matters for the future of the planet. Fast fashion churns out waste that ends up in landfills, but handmade, thoughtful pieces stretch their value for years instead of seasons.
And I’m doing it without corporate shortcuts or investors pushing for quick wins. Safe business practices for both maker and client come first. No outside strings being pulled; just persistence, integrity, and a sewing machine.
In 7–10 years, I don’t just want sales. I want a reputation families can count on. I want to stand as proof that even with a tragic backstory, you can still build something beautiful and lasting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.minimaekids.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minimaekids
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-crawley-63b817ba/
