Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amy Bierstedt, founder and owner of Handmade on Main, located in Boerne, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We're your one-stop handmade shop! 21 Texas makers under one roof, offering wonderfully unique goods in our cute boutique. Self-care products, home decor, cocktail kits and sweets, fun for the kids, plants, clothing items, and more. A Boerne Main Street boutique, where you're sure to find the perfect gift for yourself, the ones you love, and even for the person that has everything.

Tell us about yourself

I'm Amy Bierstedt. I founded my home, bath, and body product business (From Scratch Farm) almost nine years ago. Throughout those years, I've established lots of maker friendships through social media and markets. Just over two years ago, I founded Handmade on Main. It's been a wonderful and fun journey to curate some of the best handmade in the area (many coming from those friendships over the years). It's a dream job! With lots of unseen, difficult, time-consuming work behind it. As a single mom, during these post-COVID times, it's the hardest thing I've ever done. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Handmade on Main has received a few nods! In 2021, we received a San Antonio Magazine BEST OF THE CITY Editor's Choice Award. We were also a finalist in the Retailers Excellence Awards in the Best Events category. This year, we just received the BEST STORE title from ShopAcrossTexas.com. We've been so excited about these accomplishments!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I might have a pretty unique situation. I'm a single mom. I can't afford employees. So I do EVERYTHING myself. I never have enough hours in the day. While I'm working shop hours, I do my best to care for displays, work on social media, run the register, and deliver excellent customer service and a great shopping experience.

Behind the scenes, I'm a mess as I try to keep up with emails, make my products, stay on task, run reports and vendor checks, keep our pets alive, make dinners, spend time with my boys, and everything that comes along with keeping a house in order. Everyone always tells me they don't know how I do what I do. I don't either! I have to give myself lots of grace.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

The only tip I ever give... It gets HARD. So make sure the work brings you JOY. Although I've had anxious moments throughout the years, I've never dealt with burnout. Because making brings me joy.  The love we get from customers and the community fills my bucket.  And being a part of this maker and retailer community is so fulfilling.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Along with the awards we've won, I'm also very proud of the work I'm doing with the Boerne Retailers' Style Show & Shopping Event. Three years running, I've been in charge of marketing and advertising. We've also had our t-shirts on the runway one year, as we plan to do this September again. It's also a labor of love. It's an incredible and fun evening. And it all gives back to our sweet little community.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://handmadeonmainboerne.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handmadeonmainboerne
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handmadeonmainboerne/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.