Have you ever seen handmade decor and wish you had the chance to have some in your house? Or have you wondered where people find these beautiful works of art? ELhyme has created a wonderful subscription box full of stunning handmade works of art from around the world, brought right to your door. You can even work with them to customize your own box! VAMICreations will be partnering with ELhyme to give you some amazing interviews from wonderful artists, all of which you can find on the ELhyme website. You’ll find more about how the businesses are chosen to be included in the subscription box, recommendations for just starting your business (pre-launch!!) and so much more! And keep watching here on the website for more interviews with the amazing artists found in ELhyme boxes!

Handmade Decor Subscription Boxes with ELhyme

By Michele of VAMICreations and Dawn of ELhyme

What gave you the idea/inspiration to start ELhyme?

 I have been purchasing subscription boxes for a few years, and really like the concept. I thought a subscription box featuring sustainable items supporting America businesses and Fair Trade and even showcasing them would be a great idea. So while being quarantined in 2020, I started doing a business plan for Home Décor business and launched the business in Feb 2021

How do you choose the businesses that go into your subscription boxes?

I search PINTEREST and Home Décor / DIY blogs to identify monthly theme. Then I will search for items by searching the web for small American businesses; Etsy, partnering with wholesale marketplaces that collaborate with hundreds of small American companies and makers and partnering with Fair Trade companies. Once travel normalizes, I want to visit the vendors I partner/purchase my products from. I look for items that sustainable and multi-functional, and on occasion choose decorative pieces that tie nicely with that month’s theme.  

How could a small business approach you about being included?

 If the business creates a Home product; hand-made, sustainable and multi-functional. We encourage them to reach out to us directly. We just made two large purchases from two different artisans on Etsy for our September and December boxes. We are really excited to partner with such creative people hand-crafting items that are not always offered in a brick and mortar store. We view it as a partnership, whereas we make the purchase and showcase the product in the box, in hope of generating awareness for that artisan’s brand.

What’s your favorite home decor piece to include?

I love Fair Trade, I love the concept behind it and how far along we have come to integrating it in American marketplaces the last decade. I also love handmade American maker pieces and supporting those small businesses and building partnerships. So in short, I don’t have a favorite piece, I just love introducing those hand crafted pieces to our customers.

Do you restock pieces from old boxes once they run out (can people find them on your website)?

Our unsold inventory is offered on our website Shop page. The items are generally reduced in price from their recommended retail price.

What would you tell a new subscription box entrepreneur for encouragement?

Do a thorough business plan. The subscription box business is saturated, so your box offering needs to be different and in a niche that is not overcrowded. Know your competition and how you can be different. Being the lowest priced is not always the best approach; quality products and fair price, however the unboxing experience will set you apart. My biggest business pitfall was the lack of a Pre-launch. Conducting a Pre-Launch is absolutely necessary!! “Virtual foot stomp” Your Pre-launch should run 3-4 months before your business actually launches. Pre-launching is a good way to collect emails of interested and potential customers. Pre-Launch includes having a presence on social media sites. Create good content to create interest and a following. There are some good articles out there on pre-launching, but many of the articles do not go in the weeds. In the near future, hopefully in partnership with VAMICreations, I hope to provide what factors you need to Pre-launch your business.

What is something you are passionate about and why?

I love traveling and part of traveling is experiencing the culture. I always purchased items made locally, so I can have a piece that reminded me of that trip. I am always amazed by the handiwork I came across, and in some case the methods used that were passed down for generations. For example, our June box featured handmade baskets. The baskets are woven by people weaving baskets for generations. You can see the quality and the attention to detail in each basket. I have hand-woven throws I put through the wringer; washed, dried and used. They maintain their softness and shape lending to their quality, Having this business gives me the opportunity to share some of America and the world with my customers.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

Become part of a community. Regardless of what type of business you decide upon, there is a community associated with it. A formal association involving membership or an informal grouping on social media. This will give you the strength to persevere during the tough times and celebrate those moments of success.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

Pre-Launch

How has COVID changed or impacted your vision/strategy?

I was in quarantine off and on during 2020, and like so many, I had more time at home then what I was used to. The COVID quarantine gave me time to build upon an idea, create a business plan and launch a business. Now that things are starting to normalize, life is becoming more complicated and balancing a new business, with life, is becoming challenging. I feel the foundation I laid during COVID quarantine will get me through the first year and then some.

Fun question – if you could meet one person in history or present, who would it be and why?

I have two.

Nina Simone - child music prodigy, who spent the 1950 summer at Julliard as a black women. She has influenced countless modern day musicians. Simone’s music is timeless and truly soulful. Listening to her music, you could feel the anguish she experienced during her time and she is a master storyteller in her song writing.  I would love to have seen her perform.

Abgail Adams – A very political savvy women and wife of America’s second president, John Adams. I believe to be one of the most under-appreciated women of the 18th century. She had indirect influence in Continental Congress through her husband as indicated by the letters she wrote to him. I believe she is one of the strongest historical figures for women’s movement who did not abide by the trappings of the 18th century mindset.

What is your dream for ELhyme to be (where do you see ELhyme in 5+ years)?

Apart from being successful, I would like to re-invest in in dis-advantaged communities, both home in America and overseas. I eventually would like to create my own line of products that are made in these communities in the way of micro-loans and grants. Helping those get on their feet and be able to provide for themselves.

Thank you for joining us on this awesome interview with ELhyme! Thank you also to ELhyme for this interview and partnership which we are greatly excited about! We’d love to hear from you if you have had any of the ELhyme’s boxes, if there is anyone you’d recommend we highlight or if you have a guest post you’d like to see please comment below or send me an email.