Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Hale.
Hi Shannon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Creating has always been my passion. Starting at a young age you could find me at the library with my nose in crafting books. When I got older, I worked for creative businesses such as Michaels Arts & Craft store and a small business making Candy Bouquets, which I loved every second of. However, there was a turning point when I became a mom. The need to be home and present for my daughter was so important to me. That’s the moment, now 15 years ago, that I started my own small business creating handmade accessories for kids. It gave me the creative outlet I needed, a way to create income, and afforded me the flexibility to be a work at home mom. The business grew and I was doing large weekend expos at local St Louis malls. It was all I could do to keep up with demand.
I later had my second child, my son, now 8 years old. I needed to, again, be home more to care for a little one, so I stopped taking part in the mall expos. Still feeling the need to provide and also be creative I started making handmade wood signs and home decor and selling them online. I was a fan of watching YouTube and noticed there wasn’t a big presence of crafting channels and thought, that is a void I should help fill. It’s then that I started my YouTube channel, The Daily DIYer, in January of 2015. I would record creative things I was already doing in day to day life, or create videos of orders that I would get, documenting the step by step tutorial. I posted 100 videos and felt very burnt out, and took a long break.
YouTube started pushing my original videos, so the channel started growing without me having to post anything new. When I reached 650 subscribers I thought, there is something here, and I should give it another go. This time around I had a plan to keep me from burning out. Now, 7 years later, my channel has nearly 1,000 videos and close to 350,000 subscribers. It has been so rewarding to see all the hard work paying off. I’ve gotten the chance to travel, work with amazing crafting companies like Cricut, The Original Super Glue, and yes, even Michaels Crafts, my former employer. I’ve met so many amazing and talented creators, built an entire She Shed from the ground up to run my business from, and learned so much on this journey. Turning my passion into a career has been a dream come true.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Adjustment is part of having a small business. I’m a planner, so being flexible was not my strong point. I have had to learn to expect the unexpected, especially with YouTube. You never know what kind of offer, email, message, or story you’ll wake up to each day. So now I don’t plan as much, I mainly make a hopeful plan each morning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, my favorite content to create is easy and affordable home decor. Sharing with others how they can get a high-end look even with a small budget. Dollar Tree is my favorite store to shop and find inexpensive items and then find ways to rework and repurpose them. Holiday and season decor ideas are so fun to create too! In 2021, I had a Christmas video featuring Dollar Tree Christmas Trees go viral, and now has over 1 million views!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Instagram is my favorite resource. It keeps me in contact with other makers. We all draw inspiration and encouragement from each other. Having a supportive group of creator friends has been so valuable. It also gives me a place to be a little more personal, really get to know the viewers and followers. I love being able to see others’ creativity, chat, and connect!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/TheDailyDIYer
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/TheDailyDIYer
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/TheDailyDIYer
Image Credits
Shannon Hale
