As a small woman-owned business ourselves, we at Candelles are so passionate about lifting up and supporting our fellow creative lady bosses who are making waves in the world by following their passions and creating their own paths. After all, in the great words of Lizzo, "When I'm shinin', everybody's gonna shine". With this in mind we are so incredibly excited to shine a light on a maker that we absolutely love, who is following her passion and stitching her way forward, one beautiful headband at a time.
Brittany Lipowski is a New York native who is passionate about looking effortlessly adorable and put together through all of life's moments. She started Bizzybcrafts with that mission in mind: to create something with her hands that someone can wear and look effortlessly adorable throughout their busy days.
Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about the background of BizzyBCrafts:
My name is Brittany and I started Bizzybcrafts 8 years ago this March. It started as a side hustle while I was getting my Master’s Degree in Mental Health counseling, mostly to fill my need to be creative and turned it into my full time job almost 2 years ago. Early on I was juggling work as a nanny, grad school and practicing yoga, typically doing all of those things in one day. I needed something to help me look and feel more put together when I didn’t have time to wash my hair. I created headbands that would fill that need and it turned out, others also had this need as well.
My name is Brittany and I started Bizzybcrafts 8 years ago this March. It started as a side hustle while I was getting my Master’s Degree in Mental Health counseling, mostly to fill my need to be creative and turned it into my full time job almost 2 years ago. Early on I was juggling work as a nanny, grad school and practicing yoga, typically doing all of those things in one day. I needed something to help me look and feel more put together when I didn’t have time to wash my hair. I created headbands that would fill that need and it turned out, others also had this need as well.
How did you come up with the name for your business? Does it hold a special meaning to you?:
My dad always told me that when I was little he would find me quiet in another room keeping myself busy, always doing some sort of solo craft or activity. When I was looking for a name for my Etsy shop, the platform I first used to sell my headbands, it popped into my head to incorporate that into the name.
My dad always told me that when I was little he would find me quiet in another room keeping myself busy, always doing some sort of solo craft or activity. When I was looking for a name for my Etsy shop, the platform I first used to sell my headbands, it popped into my head to incorporate that into the name.
How did you initially get involved with sewing and making headbands?:
I have loved creating my whole life, mostly scrapbooking and other paper crafts. I had never sewn before, besides in middle school Home Economics, which barely counts. After 6 months into my business a customer asked if I could make a headband that involved sewing and I just said yes. I had a machine that my now husband got for me to use for scrapbooking. I bought some fabrics and figured out how to sew. I ended up never scrapbooking again and sewing became my new therapy hobby. Of course I was sewing for my business, but I also started sewing clothing for myself for fun.
I have loved creating my whole life, mostly scrapbooking and other paper crafts. I had never sewn before, besides in middle school Home Economics, which barely counts. After 6 months into my business a customer asked if I could make a headband that involved sewing and I just said yes. I had a machine that my now husband got for me to use for scrapbooking. I bought some fabrics and figured out how to sew. I ended up never scrapbooking again and sewing became my new therapy hobby. Of course I was sewing for my business, but I also started sewing clothing for myself for fun.
What inspired you to take your love of sewing and turn it into a business?:
The initial inspiration to start was sparked by a headband I saw in a small shop in Georgetown while visiting a friend. I returned home and ordered supplies to make similar headbands using hot glue and flowers and opened an Etsy shop. Being that I was in grad school to pursue my dream job, I didn’t really feel like I was doing anything risky by just starting a little Etsy shop. After the customer I mentioned above asked me to make a headband, I then began creating and experimenting with different styles that would make sense personally in my life and grew from there. It wasn’t until years later that I saw how much other people also needed headbands that wouldn’t slip off and decided to run my business full time.
The initial inspiration to start was sparked by a headband I saw in a small shop in Georgetown while visiting a friend. I returned home and ordered supplies to make similar headbands using hot glue and flowers and opened an Etsy shop. Being that I was in grad school to pursue my dream job, I didn’t really feel like I was doing anything risky by just starting a little Etsy shop. After the customer I mentioned above asked me to make a headband, I then began creating and experimenting with different styles that would make sense personally in my life and grew from there. It wasn’t until years later that I saw how much other people also needed headbands that wouldn’t slip off and decided to run my business full time.
What are the biggest inspirations for your work?:
The seasons are super inspiring to me. I create seasonal collections based on the colors that remind me of that season and formulate the collection around that. I really enjoy seeing all the headbands come together. Even though you only have one head and wear one headband at a time, there is something so satisfying about it being cohesive.
The seasons are super inspiring to me. I create seasonal collections based on the colors that remind me of that season and formulate the collection around that. I really enjoy seeing all the headbands come together. Even though you only have one head and wear one headband at a time, there is something so satisfying about it being cohesive.
How would you describe your aesthetic, and how did you work to develop your style?
Bizzybcrafts is a brand, but it is also very much me. I aim to be real, genuine and happy, just like I am in real life. I pick fabrics that speak to me and my style, lots of florals and don’t pick anything that I wouldn’t wear myself. Maybe not the best business move, but hey it works!
Bizzybcrafts is a brand, but it is also very much me. I aim to be real, genuine and happy, just like I am in real life. I pick fabrics that speak to me and my style, lots of florals and don’t pick anything that I wouldn’t wear myself. Maybe not the best business move, but hey it works!
Do you have a favorite design to create, or specific product that you enjoy making the most?:
In the Fall of 2019 I began working with a manufacturer to hand make my products as I was unable to manage the ins and out of my business while sewing orders 24/7. Since I don’t do much of the “making” anymore, I really enjoy the creative process of planning out cohesive launches. I also love to include the customers by doing votes for fabrics in instagram stories. It can be a fun way for them to be involved and for me to narrow it down and not order 50 fabrics each time.
In the Fall of 2019 I began working with a manufacturer to hand make my products as I was unable to manage the ins and out of my business while sewing orders 24/7. Since I don’t do much of the “making” anymore, I really enjoy the creative process of planning out cohesive launches. I also love to include the customers by doing votes for fabrics in instagram stories. It can be a fun way for them to be involved and for me to narrow it down and not order 50 fabrics each time.
What is a typical working day like for you?:
Since I just had my first baby on January 12th, days look a bit different as I am out of the office and have an assistant packing up orders. But pre baby, each day varied depending on what time of year it was and if I was prepping for a launch. A day aways includes answering emails and packing any pending orders. But can also include organizing, quality control and counting inventory for an upcoming launch, sending out newsletters, being present on social media/creating content. I am lucky enough that my due date was between launches and that I have time at home with my daughter before things get crazy in the Spring.
Since I just had my first baby on January 12th, days look a bit different as I am out of the office and have an assistant packing up orders. But pre baby, each day varied depending on what time of year it was and if I was prepping for a launch. A day aways includes answering emails and packing any pending orders. But can also include organizing, quality control and counting inventory for an upcoming launch, sending out newsletters, being present on social media/creating content. I am lucky enough that my due date was between launches and that I have time at home with my daughter before things get crazy in the Spring.
Can you describe your workspace? Where is it, how have you designed it, and how does it support you in your craft?:
My workspace is an office in a building just a few miles away from my new house. It is an absolute joy to be there and have a separate home/work life. Something I know I will appreciate even more now as a mom. It is my second office since leaving my job to run my business full time and I am just so thankful for the space to create and work.
My workspace is an office in a building just a few miles away from my new house. It is an absolute joy to be there and have a separate home/work life. Something I know I will appreciate even more now as a mom. It is my second office since leaving my job to run my business full time and I am just so thankful for the space to create and work.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a maker and small business owner? What did you learn from it?:
There have been so many, but I say my biggest has probably been growing pains and figuring out how to grow without having any experience or knowledge in running a business. It has been incredibly helpful to find other women owned small business owners, like Kelley from Candelles, and reaching out for advice. It can be super isolating owning a business and it is so important to have people who know what you are going through to talk to.
There have been so many, but I say my biggest has probably been growing pains and figuring out how to grow without having any experience or knowledge in running a business. It has been incredibly helpful to find other women owned small business owners, like Kelley from Candelles, and reaching out for advice. It can be super isolating owning a business and it is so important to have people who know what you are going through to talk to.
What does being a maker mean to you?:
I have felt like a maker even before I had my business and even now when I am really not “making” a whole lot. It feels like part of my being and I don’t know what I would do without it!
I have felt like a maker even before I had my business and even now when I am really not “making” a whole lot. It feels like part of my being and I don’t know what I would do without it!
What are some of your other hobbies and interests?:
I love listening to podcasts and reading. I really have been enjoying exercising this past year, something I never thought I would say since we purchased a Peloton bike. It has been incredible for my mental health, especially being pregnant during a pandemic.
I love listening to podcasts and reading. I really have been enjoying exercising this past year, something I never thought I would say since we purchased a Peloton bike. It has been incredible for my mental health, especially being pregnant during a pandemic.
What do you feel is the most fulfilling part of being a career creative?:
I just love seeing customers post photos on Instagram of them wearing their headbands. This past year I have seen so many photos of customers using their headbands to look a little more put together during a Zoom call and it really makes me feel like these are more than just headbands.
I just love seeing customers post photos on Instagram of them wearing their headbands. This past year I have seen so many photos of customers using their headbands to look a little more put together during a Zoom call and it really makes me feel like these are more than just headbands.
What advice would you give to other creatives looking to turn their passion into a business?:
Do what feels right for you, but also be smart financially. Don’t jump into it without making sure you can pay your bills. Hire out if you can for tasks that you aren’t good at/need help with. Deciding to get manufacturer, an accountant and pay someone to take my website photos has been a huge relief. You should know how to do it all, but at some point, you don’t need to.
Do what feels right for you, but also be smart financially. Don’t jump into it without making sure you can pay your bills. Hire out if you can for tasks that you aren’t good at/need help with. Deciding to get manufacturer, an accountant and pay someone to take my website photos has been a huge relief. You should know how to do it all, but at some point, you don’t need to.
We are so grateful to Brittany for taking the time to share a peek inside of her world with us. To see more of her work, you can check out her website, BizzyBCrafts, and follow along with her on Instagram @bizzybcrafts.
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