Like many of you, we have been drooling over the products at Stock Show Boutique for months now! We fell in love with their Christmas items, and now their Valentine’s goodies. Curiosity got the best of us, and we had to know more about the mastermind behind these projects!
Meet Angie Sandy, the creative behind all the unique items at Stock Show Boutique.
1. Please share a little bit of your background in the livestock industry.
I had no background in livestock as a child (unless showing in round robin counts). I was a horse girl, please forgive me for that and continue reading 🙂 My husband has had cattle since he was a teen and I decided very early I didn?t want to raise my kids in the horse barn. I still have a horse (you can?t take the horse lover out of me) but we began showing sheep as soon as our oldest daughter was 4-H age and have added steers and heifers to our barn collection.
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| Angie’s daughters. |
2. Why did you want to start your own business?
I am never short of ideas! I have always been a creative entrepreneur from starting two web hosting business for boutiques and moms, selling auction templates and photo cards to my current art licensing business and Stock Show Boutique I love to see something grow and become even more than I ever dreamed.
3. Tell us about how Stock Show Boutique came about.
I?ve had the idea for several years as I feel we are an industry that is very underserved. It was never the right time or circumstances for me to actually move on it and start the business. In the spring of 2014 I went to a stationery workshop and knew that I had to get to work on this vision.
4. Where do you find inspiration for new products?
Inspiration is everywhere you just have to look for it. It could be a certain flower, the color of the sunset or leading lines of a fence. I just never know when something is going to ignite a little spark of creativity. I love Pinterest as well but have found that sometimes it can almost hinder my creative process, it?s almost too many ideas floating around.
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| phone case |
5. What is your favorite part of the creative process?
Everything! I love how an idea can go through so many versions before the finished product. I love paper and always start there, sketching and fine tuning until I am ready to move to the computer. I am a color lover and it might be one of the most difficult parts for me, sometimes I have to remind myself less is more.
6. At a show, where can we find you?
I love the lambs however my husband?s passion is steers so I am usually in one of those barns. I am the lamb superintendent in our county and I am very passionate about educating kiddos and making sure everyone is getting the help they need. I also have a huge passion for photography and you will always find me at the side of the show ring snapping pictures of my own kids and friends kids as well.
7. What advice do you have for someone interested in starting a small business?
Just do it! Take your own original idea, go over the logistics, set it up correctly, and get to work! It won?t be easy, you will loose sleep, and might even shed some tears but in the end the hustle is what makes it work. Dreams come true when you set the wheels in motion and do the hard work. Always be humble, authentic, and kind and everything will fall into place the way God intended it to you. He has great things in store for you! But don?t forget it all takes hard work.
8. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Without a doubt it is receiving an email about how much they love their item or seeing someone open a product and gush over it. When a person is so happy they tell a friend or post about it I know they are truly in love with it and it makes me smile inside and out. I have received comments that are so nice I am actually brought to tears because I know that I am filling a need for someone.
9. Who is your role model?
There are so many inspiring people. Annie Rifle of Rifle Paper Company has to be one of the most creative and talented people I?ve ever seen. Whitney English has mentored me and been a huge source of courage when I am not feeling so strong. On the livestock side of things the Reid family has done an phenomenal job with their magazine and are an inspiration and true story of how hard work can pay off.
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| Valentine’s Day cards! |
10. Which of the Stock Show Boutique products is your favorite?
Oh I don?t think I can just one! The phone cases and the spiral notebooks are probably the two best sellers so far. I just love the children?s line I started releasing with the new Valentine cards (many more things to come). There are so many new products and designs coming that I am so excited about! The pillows I shared a sneak peek of were a huge hit, personalized portfolios (think livestock judging size) are coming really soon. Can you tell I am a big dreamer???
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| personalized notecards |
11. If you could go back to your junior exhibitor days and tell yourself one thing ? what would it be?
The struggle is real but it is where the foundation for ALL of your dreams is built. Always be kind and graceful, people will let you down, forgive and forget. Don?t forget there is always someone looking up to you and wishing they were where you are right now!
12. Anything else you think our readers would appreciate?
I love this industry! I sincerely believe you will not find a more supportive community of people. You are all part of my livestock family and I am so thrilled to be raising my precious girls alongside you. I hope that I have the chance to meet many of you in the months and years to come but until then lets hang out on Instagram together!