Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Snyder.
Hi Beth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been an entreprenuer all my life…even as a teenager, before Etsy! I love to make beautiful things, and I love to sell them. I studied Graphic Design and Fibers at Mizzou, earning a BFA in 2002. I worked as a designer for the local NBC affiliate tv station before I graduated, and then took a job in Nashville at the CBS affiliate.
Even when I had a “real” job, I’d make things for people, exhibit at craft fairs, and dream about opening a business. In 2008, I started 1canoe2 with a childhood friend, and together we grew it big enough to quit our jobs, have 15 employees, and ship world wide. My co-founder left the business in 2015, and I carried on for 6 more years before successfully selling the business to a larger company who has grown it even bigger!
Handker started as a side quest for me. I love fabric and pattern and color. A trip to India in 2018 introduced me to my manufacturer, whom I still use today, and I love bringing my artwork to the masses via bandanas. We have sold more than a million bandanas since we launched in 2018, and this business has grown even larger than 1canoe2 ever was.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning a business that started on a lark with a partner is HARD. I ended up needing to purchase her shares, and continue on without her. It was a big, emotional time, and the business nearly didn’t survive. I’ve started other businesses that failed, and am always learning things the hard way.
I wish I had taken even one business or accounting class in college. Studying fine arts was great, but having a foundation of business finance would have been so helpful. But like everything else, I have learned the hard way and by not being too shy to ask questions of whomever will give me 5 minutes of their time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m generally known for my textile designs, patterns, colors. I love to paint, quilt, craft and am a jack of all trades. I’m always happiest when I’m learning.
I’m most proud of the dozens of amazing team members I’ve employed throughout the years. I think I’ve provided a great place to come and do your best work, while being compensated well.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m quite disorganized. For someone who owns and operates several businesses, I keep my brain in a creative space (ahem…messy, crazy) most of the time. I’m equal parts operations minded and creative. And money doesn’t matter. I just want to make cool stuff and be a good boss. At the end of the day, the money is the score, but it’s not the purpose.
Pricing:
- Bandanas: $29
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.handkerbandanas.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/handker_bandanas
