At the end of 2023 I decided to embark on a new adventure. After everything that year dealt me I was ready to concur something on my own. I decided to open my own small business on Etsy. I had a business plan, a name and a dream – off to the racing I ran.

I knew the fundamentals of business and how to be successful. But it has been such a learning experience that I found myself and continue to find myself. First thing I did was create an expense tracking system for materials, marketing and any extra costs that would come with opening the storefront. I next created my business plan outline – I found a great template online to really manage my expectations and dreams. Then the fun part came next – picking a name. I knew I wanted it to be local to Montana but still tell people what I was creating. We live near what we call the Mountain Front and so it was decided. I would call my business Mountain Front Designs.

I started dreaming of all the products I could design. At first it was slow moving. Not many products, still learning to manage myself and expectations of a new start. I started small with making doormats – a labor of love to be honest. Not my favorite to sale and ship so I stopped after St. Patricks Day. I felt in a rut, not really sure what to create to make my business work. Around June I decided on a whim to start creating handmade jewelry, just like that it was working – selling, making it was clicking. I expanded into mugs and sweatshirts around October and that has been so much fun. Next on the docket is start print apparel inhouse with my new machine to expand my business.

It has been almost 2 years since I started that small business. It has been so much fun to allow my creative side to come to the surface, expand my knowledge of creation and expand my network of people with the support of my customers. If you have been thinking about chasing a dream – now is the time to do it.

XOXO, Brook Ashlee