For many people, starting a new year means trying new things, but that can be daunting if you don't know where to start. These five small businesses have taken the guesswork out of learning how to handmake a lip balm or root beer in the comfort of your own home.
Pottery with a Purpose
When Sam Hoff decided climbing the corporate ladder wasn't for her, she built her own business instead. In 2021, she began putting together DIY home pottery kits to help others slow down and unwind. With sustainability a top priority, Hoff would wrap the clay in secondhand dry cleaning bags. These carefully curated kits and philosophy are what define Pottery with a Purpose.
Packages range from beginner air-dry clay kits to more advanced ceramic kits that require kiln firing. The kits come with clay, detailed instructions, tools, and paint or other applicable materials. Everything is made in the United States and sourced with the planet in mind. The packaging doesn't contain new single-use plastic, and the tools are handcrafted for quality assurance.
Pottery with a Purpose is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts, and offers in-person pottery classes in Arizona, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island. The small business can assist with finding a nearby kiln, it hosts virtual workshops, and it donates a portion of profits to mental wellness nonprofits.
Makesy
Providing an array of DIY kits that let users try their hand at making candles, soaps, lip glosses, perfumes, and body scrubs, Makesy intends to be a resource for both the novice crafter and the seasoned professional.
Andrew Maltin founded this small enterprise in 2015 in Irvine, California. Positioned as both a business-to-consumer and business-to-business retailer, Makesy casts a wide net, reaching those dipping their toes in a new hobby and sole proprietors alike. Someone wanting to create a signature fragrance can purchase the Create Your Own Perfume kit, which comes with nine sample scent bottles and tools to mix and match. On the other hand, a brand can take advantage of the company's private label service.
In addition to carrying a wide variety of high-caliber products, Makesy is committed to using clean ingredients. Its products are all-natural, allergen-free, carcinogen-free, organic, and biodegradable. They've even established their own trademark called Made Better products that follow a lengthy list of standards.
I've experienced first-hand how learning something new — even something completely outside of the realm of what you typically spend your time on — sparks a self-confidence that spills into other parts of your life.
Justine Tiu, Co-Founder of The Woobles
The Woobles
Justine Tiu wanted to create a handmade gift for a friend and decided on a crocheted plushie. It involved a big learning curve using multiple resources, so she decided to design a product that streamlines the process of learning to crochet. The Woobles offers beginner learn-to-crochet kits in the pursuit of spreading joy and building self-confidence by learning a new skill.
"I've experienced firsthand how learning something new — even something completely outside of the realm of what you typically spend your time on — sparks a self-confidence that spills into other parts of your life," Tiu said. With her husband Adrian Zhang by her side, the two navigated launching a business during the pandemic.
Amigurumi, a Japanese term that translates to "crocheted or knitted stuffed toy," describes the crochet kits sold by The Woobles. Each kit comes equipped with the yarn and hooks needed to craft the plushie pattern. All beginner kits contain step-by-step videos and a prestarted piece so the user can dive right into the project.
Craft A Brew
Kyle Westfall first tried home brewing in 2008. Two years later, he founded Craft A Brew as an introduction to first-time brewers and hobbyists. He and his small team assemble each homebrew kit by hand in their Orlando, Florida, warehouse.
When the small business first launched, craft beer was the main focus, however, these kits have expanded over the years to incorporate nonalcoholic drinks and hot sauce. In 2018, the company released kombucha kits and launched the Craft Society subscription box, 2019 brought about gin-making kits, and in 2021, Craft A Brew introduced mead kits.
Craft A Brew strives to source the freshest ingredients and make the home-brewing process easy and affordable. In addition to fine-tuning their kits, this company produces a great deal of educational content for the general public.
Baketivity
Miriam and Eli Schwartz founded Baketivity to disconnect from screens and reconnect with family. Miriam, an avid baker and former special education teacher, combined those passions and skills into a business idea. She discovered that baking with kids was easy when everything was prepared beforehand. Thus, with the help of her husband Eli, Baketivity was born.
This operation started in the Schwartzes' garage in 2015. Keeping kids at the center of their concepts has maintained the couples' vision while partnering with prominent pro bakers such as Duff Goldman and offering monthly live cooking classes add legitimacy and value for parents.
"The best part is seeing kids excited about exploring their creativity in the kitchen, and with these new recipes, we're making baking more fun and accessible for everyone," Goldman said.
There are a variety of baking kits to choose from, including rainbow bagels, cake pops, pretzels, and seasonal bundles. All of the premeasured ingredients and some tools are included, however, the kits do require household supplies, such as whisks or baking sheets.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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