What started out as a way to live more simply at home quickly became a small business on Main Street for this spirited Texas maker.
Spend a little time with the energetic, engaging Amy Bierstedt of Boerne and you’ll discover her enthusiasm for her handmade products, her customers, her fellow makers, and small town life in general is downright contagious.
Thinking you, too, would be charmed by her zest for handmade goods (and life in general), we invited Amy to answer a few questions about her work, and she graciously agreed.
Note, too, that she’s a participant in Boerne’s upcoming Diva Night (November 8, 2018), so if you’d like to meet Amy and other Hill Country business owners, save the date!
On her business–how it came to be and how it has grown
“From Scratch Farm came out of me wanting to change our family’s ways for the better. We began raising chickens (for eggs and meat). I started my garden. I began cooking from scratch. And I started replacing a handful of store-bought home and body products (lip balms, lotions, laundry detergents, and body scrubs) with my very natural alternatives. Next thing I knew, I was giving out samples to friends and family, asking for their opinions. Soon I was encouraged enough to start another business, adding to my already busy Shutter-Happy Photography work.
Over the years, I’ve added several more handmade products (bath bombs, bar soaps, and dryer balls). After moving into a new Main Street storefront, I also added in essential oils, himalayan salt lamps, our custom tees, and canvas shopping bags. It’s been fun to add more products that help reduce waste and improve our lives. That’s really my goal!”
On expanding her product line this summer
“I am really excited about our brand new product! I had always planned on making soap. It was part of my business plan. But with small kids in the house and all the cautionary warnings, well, I just couldn’t make myself do it. With the kids now five years older, though, I finally made myself take on this task. So armed with books, videos, a formula, my best idea for a recipe (as simple and natural as I could make it), the right ingredients (including essential oils, instead of fragrance), the equipment, safety goggles, and latex gloves, I did it! And since my 10-year-old helped hand-cut most of the 5-pound blocks of soap, there are no two alike. They come in different sizes and weights, which means I’ve decided to sell the soap by the ounce. That means I had to buy a scale and had to get my point of sale system tweaked to do this, but it’s definitely the way to go. And I think customers will appreciate that they’ll be charged by the weight instead of a flat fee.”
On setting up shop on Boerne’s Hauptstrasse
“I love my spot on Main Street. We moved here in May of 2017, and the welcome from other retailers and the foot traffic from the public have been amazing. I’ve become involved in the Boerne retailers and restaurants meetings–haven’t missed one yet! Friends and customers drop in all the time to shop and sometimes just to visit, which I love. We’re participating in the city’s Diva Nights and Small Business Saturdays, which are so fun. Honestly, I love feeling like I’m in the middle of all the downtown action.”
On the public’s growing enthusiasm for handmade goods
“I think most of that excitement and drive is all on us makers. I think there’s a fire in us; we’re causing a rumble. We’ve let the public know the joy, the uniqueness, and the importance of shopping handmade. With Etsy (and other handmade-supportive sites), buyers have amazing access to us. With Instagram and other social media outlets, our followers are really getting to know us, learn about our families, and fall in love with our businesses.”
On supporting other makers
“I joined an online makers group that helped inspire and educate me. Next thing I knew, I was taking over the massive Craft Curate Instagram account, helping to support handmade businesses everywhere. But I didn’t stop there. Late last year I founded National Handmade Day! We celebrated the first one ever on April 7th, and it will be celebrated on the first Saturday in April from here on out. I think that’s one of my coolest accomplishments.”
On meeting customers at markets and in her shop
“I can’t believe the number of events I’ve signed myself up for! But nothing makes me happier than getting to know customers face-to-face, to answer questions, and sell in these fast-paced, fun settings! There’s a true sense of community that you can feel in the air. There’s palpable excitement from the customers, in their one-of-a-kind finds. And Diva Night in Boerne? Where else will you meet the actual owner of the shop, get to hang out with your best girl friends, and get to snack and drink all evening? You can’t get that online or at the mall!”
Thanks, Amy! Readers–you can find (and follow) Amy in her Boerne storefront (347 N Main St suite a, Boerne, TX 78006) and at FromScratchFarm.com as well as on Facebook and Instagram (@TheFromScratchChick). She also recently shared a round-up of her upcoming fall 2018 market dates in a blog post that we think you’ll find helpful.
Thanks for reading!
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