We had the good fortune of connecting with Maggie Shenker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maggie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t put too much thought behind starting my small business, Cranky Mom Designs. At first, creating epoxy stainless steel tumblers started as a hobby, something to keep me busy and happy during a hard time of my life. Over time, friends asked for me to make them tumblers, then I found myself offering to make some for strangers via Facebook posts, and not long after I started, I was shocked that I had so many people supporting my hobby! As funny as it is to me, I didn’t have any intentions or even a thought that this would become more than a hobby! To say that I am so thankful for what this small business of mine has become would be a huge understatement!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting to the point that I’m at definitely has not been easy. The original reason I started making tumblers is because I was in a not so great place and needed an escape. I had my youngest son a few weeks before pandemic lock downs had started, so between trying to process something so unknown, homeschooling my oldest son due to school closures, and a newborn (who hated to sleep), I felt like I was crumbling. I had no idea what to do, or who I was at that point. I had no idea just how much joy crafting would bring me, how much peace I would feel.

All of that to say, the road to where I’ve gotten has not been easy, it took a lot of figuring out how to balance everything in my life. Add in experimenting with different products/materials to find the ones I love most.

In all honesty, if it weren’t for my husband, kids, and clients, I wouldn’t be where I’m at, they have all been my cheerleaders and given me so much grace. They’re the “how” when it comes to questions of how I’ve overcome hardships since starting this business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend visiting me here in Arizona, I would hands down suggest taking a drive up to Sedona for at least a day. It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in this state! Whether you like to shop, hike, or just enjoy nature, that would be at the top of my list! Then of course it never hurts to drive a little further to experience the Grand Canyon!

If they preferred to stay local to the Phoenix area, they would absolutely have to go to San Tan Flats in Queen Creek at some point. Their food is so good, plus live music?! Yes please! Another place I’d have to take them to eat is my favorite sushi place, Sushi Ave, in Gilbert. There are so many things to do here, I wouldn’t know where to start on activities or places to hang out! We have OdySea in Scottsdale, Phoenix Zoo, and Butterfly Wonderland. If they enjoy riding, there’s desert EVERYWHERE to get on our quads or dirt bikes.

One absolute must do is watch at least one sunset. I have never seen more beautiful sunsets (and sunrises) than I have since moving to Arizona. The sky puts on a real show every day and when I tell you I “ooh” and “awe” at it every single day, I’m serious!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I had to single out one person that has contributed to where I’m at most, it would hands down be my husband. Before I found this craft of creating epoxy tumblers, he was always encouraging me to find something that I loved doing, knowing how much I needed something to occupy my mind. Then from the second I found it, he has been by my side, cheering me on, giving me ideas, and so much more. When I received my first big order, I was so nervous, worried I couldn’t finish in time because I only had 2 cup turners (with a 2 week deadline to finish 22 cups). The next day he was out buying wood so that he could build me 4 more turners, which is no easy task being that everything has to spin perfectly level! And not to mention, he puts up with the ridiculous amount of glitter that gets EVERYWHERE! (Really though, anywhere I go, I leave a trace of glitter and it’s constantly all over his stuff haha.) He truly has been my biggest supporter from the start!

I’d be crazy not to mention my amazing clients. There are absolutely a handful of clients that keep coming back to order more cups either for themselves or as gifts, and I can’t thank them enough. One specific client originally received one of my cups as a gift, ordered some herself personally, and gave my name to a medical office who ended up placing that big order I mentioned to gift their staff for Christmas. I truly can’t thank my clients enough for their continued support, love, and referrals, without them, I definitely would not be as far as I am in this business!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrankyMomDesigns

Instagram: https://instagram.com/crankymomdesigns?utm_medium=copy_link

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggieshenkercreations/

Other: This Linktree houses all of my links 😊 https://linktr.ee/Maggieshenker

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Kristin McFarland Photography Additional photos: myself

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