As parents, we are constantly having to exercise our creative side. Elizabeth Foster of Foster Craft Corner was led to expand her gifts as a mother and crafter into the community with her new store front! Foster Craft Corner, located in Sylvania, is a gift shop with items from local women-businesses. Elizabeth hopes to use her gifts to give back to the community. Read her story below!
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Tell us about yourself! What makes you, “you”?
I’m a mom of 3 who loves to craft while working my day job in the association sector with a passion for non-profits!
Describe your business/services and then tell us about what brought you to creating this business and why you’re passionate about it.
I started around Halloween 2021 because I bought my kids Halloween totes that immediately broke. I thought that I could make something better, personalized and more reasonable. So I did and became really creative with my designs. I also wanted to start my kids on their money education so I created Save, Give, Spend jars that were, again, reasonably priced and could be personalized. Then it just kind of went off from there. I have almost 1,000 sales on Etsy and a space became available close to me, in Mayberry Square, so I got a few other local women to put their items in my store in February and am having a go at it!
What goals do you have for your business in the future?
To continue having fun creating new items for my kids, and others with the goal of education, fun and sustainability. One day I hope to support myself with this creative outlet and to use my hobby time helping non-profits.
What is your proudest achievement?
Getting on local news, having aprons I made on anchors and hitting my sales goals.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a business owner and how did you overcome it?
Balance, as most moms say. It’s difficult with a full time job, consistent online sales, a life and everything else. I do my best just to manage day to day.
What advice would you give to a woman looking to start a business or get into a leadership role? Is there one thing that has helped you specifically?
Find a few key people in your life that can give you honest feedback. As far as leadership roles, read a good book like “Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty… And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, And Unapologetically Being Yourself” (is much different than it sounds). Also, don’t take things personally. Keep going and believe in yourself (I should take my own advice).
What made you want to join HerHub?
My cousin Margaux wanted to join and I thought it might be a good fit.
Why do you feel it’s important to collaborate and empower other women?
Women have come so far in the last few decades and it is up to us to continue that momentum. As a daughter of a high powered CFO, an industry that is still has stigma with women, I know the importance her role played in changing the game in her field and want to continue in her legacy (she’s retired). Women rule the world, creating the future people on this planet and after seeing what our bodies and minds can do, there is nothing a woman can’t do. And that is only multiplied if we lift each other up as we succeed and support one another during the hard times.
If you could recommend one resource (book, podcast, quote, class, website, etc.), that has helped you in life or in business, what would it be and why?
Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty… And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, And Unapologetically Being Yourself by Dr. Aziz Gazipura; I am an extremely empathetic person and this was life changing in how I relate to myself, my perfectionism, how I deal with other people and every other part of my life.
We love spreading love to other woman-owned businesses and we bet you do too. Give a shout out here to your favorite, local, woman-owned business (besides your own)!
Trip ‘N Biscuits; Twisted Love with Art; Wreaths by Candice; Our Backyard Garden
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Interested in Elizabeth’s craft services? Use the code FCCHerHub102023 for a special offer on her ETSY SITE!
