Today we’d like to introduce you to Kira McCoy.
Hi Kira , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been an artist and teacher my whole life—I earned my BS in Art Education at SUNY Buffalo- I’m a NY’er, and spent years teaching before turning my passion for creativity into a business. In 2007, I started CreateAlong.com, and by 2016 I was fully self-employed, running it full-time. Over the years, CreateAlong has grown into a brand that provides tools, tutorials, and inspiration for makers all over the world.
Since I know the difficulties and challenges of entrepreneurship especially for women in creative endeavors, I began offering business coaching and consulting and now host a membership called the Creative Income Society, as well as offering masterclasses, courses, and private coaching under the brand Strategy and Stardust.
A few years ago, I moved to a little hobby farm in north Florida, where I live with my partner Chris, my horse Jayce, chickens, quail, pigeons, and dogs on the edge of a pine forest. It’s become a place where I not only design and create, but also welcome others to join me. Now I’m expanding my work beyond the online space—hosting local art classes and creative retreats that give women the chance to slow down, connect, and experience the joy and transformation that creativity brings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The pandemic definitely had a huge impact on my product business. I saw 2x growth in 2021, and then an immediate decline shortly after due to fundamental changes in shopping experiences, buyer financial sentiment, the Presidential election, and most importantly, changes to competition levels in my market due to a big influx of people learning how to work from home.
The past 2 years have been a journey in pivoting the business to retain current customers and include new offerings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create tools and resources that help people express themselves through polymer clay and mixed media. With CreateAlong, I design and manufacture everything from clay molds and silkscreens to stencils and stamps, and I’ve built a global community of makers who use them to bring their own ideas to life. My background as an art teacher really shapes the way I work—I earned my BS in Art Education, and I’ve spent decades teaching and encouraging others to tap into their creativity.
I’m most proud of the fact that I built this business from the ground up, starting in 2007 and becoming fully self-employed in 2016. Since then, I’ve sold millions of dollars in creative tools and resources while staying true to my mission: to inspire and support other artists. What sets me apart is that I don’t just make products—I create experiences. Whether it’s through online tutorials, my subscription boxes, or now through in-person retreats and classes on my Florida hobby farm and at retreat centers in the area, I focus on combining creativity, community, and personal growth.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Riding my horse in Belmore WMA- straight out of my back yard, spending time in my she-shed creating art and crafts, and time with friends traveling the area, going to wine tastings, or tending my birds and garden. I love nature, creativity, and fellowship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://createalong.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/createalong
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiralynnmccoy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@polymerclaytv
Image Credits
Krystal Kish- KrystalMediaInnovations.com
