Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Gourgue.
Hi Amanda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have always loved crafting and decorating. I would decorate for my kid’s parties and have so much fun. My family and friends would always tell me, “Mandy, you should do this professionally” my response would always be, “naw lol, then it wouldn’t be fun!” In August 2021, I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer. After this, I realized that I was depressed and couldn’t bring myself to go to grief counseling. So, I began serial crafting to take my mind off of the loss. I saw a video of a woman stuffing a balloon and instantly decided to open my own business. I played with names and remembered my dad once saying, “Girl, you a woman of many hats,” and that’s how I came up with the name. Mandy’s Many Hats I started making shirts, stuffing balloons, garlands, and more. Once I made it to social media, Mandy’s Many Hats moved upward.
Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No one ever told me owning a business would be easy. It has been an extremely challenging road. The thing I have struggled with most is time management. As a mother of 4, a wife, full-time worker, and now a business owner, I always need more time! I’m constantly learning and adding new skills and products to my many hats; so, learning to juggle my schedule has been essential.
Thanks for sharing that. So, could you tell us a bit more about your work.
I consider myself “Jacksonville’s Jack of all trades, the creative edition,” lol. I make balloon garlands and decor, flyers and invites, custom shirts, tumblers, sublimation items, treat table setups, and the list goes on and on. I can execute ALMOST anything craft related. My motto is “It’s all in the execution” but stuffed balloons are what I specialize in. They are my baby; I can stuff a balloon that will make even the saddest person smile. Watching my client’s faces when they receive their balloon is priceless. Easter bunny life-sized balloons are what I have been most proud of in my first year of business! Those bunnies made so many children smile, and that is what I am doing this for; to bring smiles to people’s faces.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me looks like repeat clients, happy faces, referrals, new skills, and a full schedule. Maybe even a storefront in the future. God willing.
Pricing:
- Stuffed Balloons starting at $40
- Balloon Garlands starting at $200
- Shirts starting at $25
- Custom tumblers $20
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.mandysmanyhats.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/Mandys_manyhats
- Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/Mandysmanyhats
