ach Saturday, we're going to be featuring a different small business owner or content creator! Getting our content, products, and voices out there to the world can be tough, so creating an inclusive and supportive community is incredibly important. As a small business owner myself, lending a helping hand to others is a key part of our business plan - we want to give back to the community that has been so key to our success!
Our seventh installment is with Stephanie at Bus Stop Shop who has been creating unique and super cute stickers for 3 years!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hi I’m Steph and I’m a digital artist with a little merch shop! I live in Colorado with my amazing boyfriend and two kitties. I have a huge obsession with all things fantasy, sci-if, adventure! I also love to read and play video games (if I’m not creating art)!
What are your favorite fandoms?
It’s so hard to narrow down my favorites because there’s just too many to love! I love Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Avatar the Last Airbender, Pokemon, My Hero Academia, Haikyuu!!, Hades (video game), Castlevania, Voltron, and my newest obsession A Court of Thorns and Roses! I truly could talk about any of these fandoms and it’s characters for HOURS.
When and why did you start your business?
I started my business about three years ago by turning some of my traditional art into stickers and charms and prints. I thought it was a really fun way to make something for myself and also that other people might like! I think, though, I started off a little too early opening my shop when my skills weren’t honed in enough to be consistent. I’ve definitely learned a lot through it, and I think my skills have improved tremendously since I first opened my shop.
Talk us through a little bit about your creative process and your products.
With most of my products, it starts off with a digital piece that I loved so much and wanted to share it with people who are just as obsessed as myself. I create these designs on my iPad and then send them off to other companies who make the charms, stickers, prints, etc! The companies I use like ZapCreatives and CatPrint and StickerApp always have such amazing quality and I love working with them!
Where do sell your products?
I sell all of my products online through my Big Cartel shop called Bus Stop Shop! I usually have a preorder sale going on as well as in stock products! The link to my shop is https://busstopshop.bigcartel.com!
What have been some of the lessons (both good and bad) that you've learned since you started your business?
Some very important lessons I’ve learned is to be patient with yourself. Everything you do for your business is a learning experience (both good and bad and in between) and you have to make the most of it! I’ve definitely made my share of mistakes but I’ve become more confident and knowledge in the things that intimated me. I’m much more willing to try new things and make new products than when I started out. I’ve also learned to reach out more to people who have done things that I want to make, and I’ve made some incredible friendships from it!
What has been your favorite product to create and why?
My absolutely favorite product to make has been either the Echo charm or the chibi Star Wars Halloween charms and sticker packs! While the latter haven’t been physically created yet, they’ve been some of my favorite designs to make!
What is your favorite fandom to work on?
Star Wars and My Hero Academia! I’ve always had a deep love for Star Wars but didn’t get into making art for it until about a year ago!
What is one product you've created you wish got a little more love?
I would love for my Small Batch sticker sheet to get a little more love! I took the designs from the Marauder shaker charm and put them on a sticker sheet (with Omega’s design included), and it would be amazing for them to get some more love and attention!
What is your favorite social media platform to use and why?
I really love to use Tiktok! Tiktok helps me reach so many amazing people in the community and I love adding sounds and songs to my posts! People also tend to engage more on TikTok so I really enjoy talking to everyone there!
Where else can we find you on social media?
Instagram: https://Instagram.com/s_holdthebus
Twitter: https://Twitter.com/s_holdthebus
Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM889kK6g/
Tumblr: https://sholdthebus.tumblr.com
Is there anything else we should know about you or your business?
Just that I love everyone who chooses to follow me and support me, whether that’s through purchasing from my store or commenting wonderful things on my posts. You all are the reason I get to have my little shop and it warms my heart so much. Thank you all for your support, I couldn’t have opened my shop without your love and encouragement. May the Force be with you, always 💕
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