Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Knox
Hi Meg, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey began in the classroom, where I spent a few years as an English teacher. The cornerstone of my teaching career was my love for books and reading, and it brought me so much joy sharing that passion with my students. Though, while I truly enjoyed helping kids discover a love for books, the majority of my time was consumed by the demands of teaching, leaving little room for my creative pursuits which I have always felt to be such an essential part of who I am.
Once I made the decision to dedicate more time to my art, I transitioned into a substitute teaching position to allow myself more time and flexibility to balance both of my passions – teaching and creating. Throughout 2022, I found myself feeling so much gratification and joy in my art that by December of that year, I was motivated to pursue my lifelong dream of opening a small business centered around it. Thus, Meg’s Comfort Creations was officially established! Initially, it was a small endeavor where I could channel my love for literature into creating unique, book-themed products. To my surprise and delight, the shop quickly gained momentum through sales and positive feedback from customers who shared my love for books and appreciated the craftsmanship of my creations.
The early success and fulfillment I found in running Meg’s Comfort Creations felt like a dream come true. It was so obvious to me that this was what I was meant to be doing. Encouraged by the shop’s continued growth and my newfound sense of purpose, I made the difficult but exciting decision to leave the teaching profession to pursue my small business full-time. I am now in my second year of running Meg’s Comfort Creations, and I could not be happier or more grateful for all the support this little business has found.
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?
This adventure has certainly had its ups and downs. As I was beginning such a potentially risky endeavor, I did as much research as I could prepare for the undertaking. However, very few of the struggles I anticipated – and that I thought were typically associated with starting a new business – had actually applied to my situation. For instance, one of the greatest challenges I had anticipated was getting visibility and consistent sales. I figured I would have plenty of time to teach myself all the various aspects of running a business as my shop slowly grew. However, with such early and sudden growth, I found myself a bit overwhelmed at all the skills I was suddenly lacking.
My education includes a Bachelor’s in English and History, along with a Master’s in Education – all of which were geared towards a teaching career. This background, while invaluable in a classroom, did not prepare my for the financial, marketing, and logistical aspects of running a business. Learning to navigate these areas has been a significant challenge, especially as I feared letting down my customers – who have put so much faith and support in what can still only be considered fledgling business – and my partner – who has been so kind and my greatest cheerleader throughout this sudden career change.
To overcome the challenges presented as my business grew, I had to quickly get up to speed on accounting, learn the nuances of digital marketing, and manage the various operational tasks that keep a business running smoothly. It has been a steep learning curve, and I am continuing to learn new things all the time, but each hurdle has taught me valuable lessons and ultimately contributed to the growth and success of Meg’s Comfort Creations. The passion I have for my craft and the support from my friends, family, and customers have kept me motivated to overcome any obstacles and to view each challenge as an opportunity for growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in creating book-inspired creations that I hope serve to bring comfort and joy. My most popular product is the Miniature Book Ornament, which has six different sizes and holds up to 140 miniature books. There are also various ways of personalizing this ornament – tags, vinyl decals, and charms, for instance – to make it an incredibly special holiday gift. I love that it celebrates and immortalizes all the reading a book-lover has completed over the course of a year, or can just display one’s favorite books or series! I also offer photos, video games, movies, music albums, or any other type of media in place of books. As a non-seasonal alternative housing for all these miniature media, I also offer custom glass jars, the largest of which can hold over 400 books! They make adorable and functional bookshelf accessories. What most distinguishes these, and many of my other customizable products, are the personal touches that I work on with the customer to ensure their creation is truly one-of-a-kind.
Everything I make is carefully crafted and reflects my deep love for literature along with my commitment to quality. What sets Meg’s Comfort Creations apart is this meticulous attention to detail and the heartfelt passion that goes into each of my creations. Customers often tell me that my products not only serve as beautiful décor in their libraries or as gifts, but that they evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth that connects them to their favorite stories or memories. I am most proud of the positivity I’ve received in response to my creations. As a perfectionist, one of my greatest fears in starting a business was potentially receiving criticism on something I had put so much time and care into. Yet, seeing how much love my creations get is incredibly rewarding. Hearing how something I’ve made has brought joy to someone’s day, or helped them celebrate a special occasion, keeps me motivated when things get difficult. It’s those moments of connection and happiness that make all the hard work worthwhile.
Despite owning a small-business, I consider myself first and foremost to be an artist. There is an important reason why my shop isn’t merely named Comfort Creations. As a business grows, it becomes easier and easier to forget that there’s an artist, a creator, or even simply a person behind the brand. While many businesses strive to appear bigger than they are, I have the opposite approach. There is no “we at Comfort Creations…”, because it’s just me. I’m a one-woman show, creating unique, handmade items that are carefully packaged as if I’m sending a gift to my very best friend. I believe each customer should know that when they reach out to Meg’s Comfort Creations, Meg is personally handling their questions and concerns. When a customer places an order, Meg’s own hands are crafting their custom, unique creation. As my business continues to grow along with the need to expand into a Comfort Creations team, it’ll always be important to me that customers know I’ll forever be committed to the same level of quality, craftsmanship, and personal connection that I have since the very beginning.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality that has contributed to my success is passion for what I do. A love for books, reading, and creating art has been the driving force behind Meg’s Comfort Creations – my craft is truly a labor of love! This passion drives me to create meaningful, high-quality products, to continuously improve my craft and creations, and to overcome any obstacles to the growth of my small business. I am always seeking new ideas and ways of enhancing customer experiences. This constant pursuit of excellence is vital for my small business to grow and stay relevant on such a competitive marketplace.
Pricing:
- Miniature Book Ornament – $22
- Bookmarks – $2.75
- To Be Read / To Be Shelved Jars – $24
- Miniature Book – $0.99 / each
- Favorite Book Earrings – $24
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MegsComfortCreations.com / www.megscomfortcreations.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megscomfortcreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Comfort-Creations-by-Meg/100093481833087/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@megscomfortcreations
