Hey Julie by Moss Bags

Mary Morris Solomon of MaryGold Tales on Building a Creative Business One Yes at a Time

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Mary Morris Solomon, the artist and storyteller behind MaryGold Tales, to talk about her path from secret childhood art to building a creative business filled with small-batch stationery, illustrations, paintings, and live event portraits. Mary shares what it looked like to leave behind a career that no longer felt aligned, start creating during a season of massive change, show up to her first market with a four-foot table and seven card designs, and learn to trust the gut feelings that kept opening the next door. We also talk about: * Building a creative business without a rigid plan * Why in-person markets can create instant connection * Seeing social media as community, not just content * Saying yes to opportunities, then knowing when to realign * Why artists and makers need to understand their numbers * Building something that feels like you, not someone else Favorite quote from the episode: “Don’t chase my dream. Chase yours, and let me clap for you.” If you’ve ever wondered whether the creative thing you keep quietly making could become something more, this conversation will remind you: start where you are, follow what feels aligned, and let your story unfold. Connect with Mary: Website: https://www.marygoldtales.com [https://www.marygoldtales.com/] Instagram: @marygold.tales [https://www.instagram.com/marygold.tales/] Connect with Julie | Moss Bags: Website: https://mossbags.com [https://mossbags.com/] Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags [https://instagram.com/moss.bags] Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com [https://www.merakiphotographynw.com/]

Helen Worthington of Three in Kind on the Trademark Issue That Forced Her to Rebuild Her Business

Helen didn’t plan to rebuild her business because of a trademark issue - but that’s exactly what happened. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Helen Worthington, the designer and maker behind Three in Kind, to talk about her journey from U.S. Navy jet pilot to creative small business owner. Helen first built CAVU Creations, a brand deeply connected to her aviation background and love of making, but after years in business, she received a letter about a trademark issue that forced her to make a difficult decision: fight it, rename it, or close that chapter and start again. We talk about what small business owners should understand about naming, trademarks, research, business insurance, and protecting your work - not as legal advice, but as a real, honest story from someone who lived it. Helen also shares what the early days of selling on Etsy looked like, how she brought her kids into her business and markets, why she eventually wanted to move away from handmade production, and how she created Three in Kind as a brand with more room to grow. If you’re naming a business, launching a product, building a brand, or wondering what to do when your business needs to pivot, this conversation is such an important reminder: do your research, ask questions, and know that starting over does not mean starting from scratch. Favorite Quote: “Sometimes you do not choose the timing of the change, but you still get to choose what comes next.” In this episode, we talk about: * How Helen went from U.S. Navy jet pilot to creative small business owner * The early days of CAVU Creations and selling on Etsy * What CAVU meant and why the name was so personal to her * The trademark issue that forced Helen to decide whether to fight, rename, or rebuild * What small business owners should consider when naming a business or product * Why business insurance does not always cover the issues you might expect * How she chose the name Three in Kind and built a brand with more room to grow * The role her kids played in markets, making, and the heart behind her business * Why research, community, and asking questions matter so much for makers Connect with Helen: Website: https://threeinkind.com [https://threeinkind.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threeinkind/ [https://www.instagram.com/threeinkind/] Connect with Julie | Moss Bags: Website: https://mossbags.com [https://mossbags.com/] Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags [https://instagram.com/moss.bags] Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com [https://www.merakiphotographynw.com/]

Fringe Boutique Owner Rhiannon Troutman on Wholesale, Consignment, and Building Strong Maker/Retailer Relationships

In this episode of Hey Julie by Moss Bags, Julie sits down with Rhiannon Troutman, owner of Fringe Boutique in Bellingham, Washington, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the maker and retailer relationship. Rhiannon shares how Fringe began from her lifelong love of styling, curating, and small business retail, and how she has intentionally created space for local makers from the very beginning. Julie and Rhiannon talk about what boutique owners are really looking for when deciding whether to carry handmade products, and why a “no” from a shop does not mean your product is not good. They also break down the difference between wholesale and consignment, why pricing matters so much, how branded packaging can help products sell, and what makers should understand before approaching boutiques. If you are a maker dreaming of getting your products into shops, or a small business owner trying to build thoughtful relationships, this episode is full of practical, honest, and encouraging takeaways. In This Episode, We Cover: * How Fringe Boutique got started * Why Rhiannon has always made space for local makers * What makes a handmade product a good fit for a boutique * The difference between wholesale and consignment * Why pricing is one of the biggest things makers need to understand * How branded packaging helps products feel more special * Why a full display can help products sell * How makers can handle rejection without taking it personally * Why not every creative hobby needs to become a business * What healthy maker and retailer relationships can look like Favorite Quote: “Don’t be afraid of nos. Show up authentically as you, and the right audience will find you.” Connect with Rhiannon and Fringe Boutique: Website: https://wearfringe.com [https://wearfringe.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearfringe/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearfringe/] Visit Fringe in downtown Bellingham on the corner of Holly and Commercial Street. Connect with Julie | Moss Bags: Website: https://mossbags.com [https://mossbags.com/] Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags [https://instagram.com/moss.bags] Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com [https://www.merakiphotographynw.com/]

Building Texture Clothing with Teresa Remple: Markets, Wholesale, and Creating from the Heart

In this episode of Hey Julie by Moss Bags, Julie sits down with Teresa Remple, textile artist and founder of Texture Clothing - a brand she officially launched in 2001 after years of selling at festivals and markets. Teresa shares what it looked like to build a clothing business through farmers markets, wholesale, festivals, and even a brick-and-mortar shop, and how that journey has evolved into the small-batch and custom work she focuses on today. This conversation is full of wisdom about longevity, following your own rhythm, and creating products that carry care, intention, and real heart. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build a business over decades instead of just seasons, this episode is such a beautiful reminder that meaningful growth doesn’t have to be fast or flashy. In this episode, we cover: * How Texture Clothing began and the early festival years * What Teresa learned from 16 years at the farmers market * The role of wholesale in growing a product-based business * Why slow transitions are still valid transitions * How she shifted from large-scale production to small-batch and custom work * The emotional value of handmade products and personal connection * Why follow through matters so much in business * Getting clear on what’s really written on your heart Favorite quote: “May you feel wrapped in love every time you wear this thing.” Connect with Teresa: Texture Clothing: www.textureclothing.com [https://www.textureclothing.com/] Instagram: Texture Clothing [https://www.instagram.com/textureclothing/] Craft A Life You Love: https://craftalifeyoulove.com [https://craftalifeyoulove.com/] Connect with Julie | Moss Bags: Website: https://mossbags.com [https://mossbags.com/] Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags [https://instagram.com/moss.bags] Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com [https://www.merakiphotographynw.com/]

Building Headwaters Farm with Nicole Huson: Flowers, Family Legacy, and Growing Slowly

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nicole of Headwaters Farm for a conversation about family legacy, flower farming, motherhood, and building a business season by season. Nicole shares how growing up around her dad’s flower shop shaped her love of flowers, what the early years of building her farm business looked like, and how she found her way through pop-ups, wholesale, and community collaboration. We also talk about consistency, raising kids while growing a business, and the beauty of creating something that truly aligns with your life. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build something meaningful slowly and with intention, this conversation is for you. Connect with Nicole Headwaters Farm: https://www.headwatersfarmwa.com/ [https://www.headwatersfarmwa.com/] Instagram: @headwatersfarm_wa [https://www.instagram.com/headwatersfarm_wa/] North Sound Flower Cooperative: 112 Ohio St. Suite 117, Bellingham, WA Open Wednesdays 9am-12pm Connect with Julie | Moss Bags: Website: https://mossbags.com [https://mossbags.com/] Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags [https://instagram.com/moss.bags] Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com [https://www.merakiphotographynw.com/]