Mandy’s of Fargo started with a simple idea, a craft room full of handmade creations, and a husband who asked a question that would change everything.
For years, I worked in retail. I enjoyed many aspects of my work, but after being diagnosed with lupus, I found myself facing new challenges. I was looking for something that would allow me to work while also giving me the flexibility to take care of myself. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that finding that kind of understanding and flexibility in a traditional job could be difficult.
Then my husband made a suggestion.
“Why don’t you sell all the crafts you’re making?”
At the time, my craft room was overflowing with projects. I was constantly making things simply because I enjoyed creating. There were signs, decorations, and all kinds of handmade goodies hanging around the house. Maybe, he suggested, it was time to turn that creativity into something more.
And that’s how Mandy’s of Fargo began.
A Love of Crafting That Started Long Before the Business
My love of crafting didn’t start with Mandy’s of Fargo. It was something that was instilled in me from an early age.
Growing up in Minnesota, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by strong women in my family who taught me the importance of creativity and the joy of making things with your own hands. They taught me sewing, crafting, painting, and cooking. I learned that you don’t always need something perfect—you just need a willingness to try, experiment, and create.
The men in my family contributed something equally important: a sense of humor and a love of having fun.
Those influences are still a huge part of who I am and what I create today.
Some of my pieces are cute and sweet. Others are funny, sarcastic, quirky, or just a little bit feisty. But no matter what I’m making, there is a little piece of my family and the things they taught me behind it.
Building a Business That Works With My Life
One of the things I love most about having my own business is the flexibility it gives me.
Running a small business isn't always easy. There are long days, unfinished projects, inventory to make, orders to package, photos to take, social media to create, and approximately a million other things that need to get done.
But there is also freedom.
I don't have to ask for time off when I need to take care of myself. I don't have to choose between work and taking my son to an appointment. My son is autistic and non-verbal, and his therapy appointments and needs are an important part of our lives.
With my own business, I can work around those responsibilities.
Sometimes that means working from home. Sometimes it means bringing my laptop along and getting things done while I'm sitting in a waiting room. Sometimes it means adjusting my schedule when life doesn't go according to plan.
That flexibility is something I don't take for granted.
Mandy's of Fargo isn't just a business I run. It's a business that fits into my life and allows me to be there for the people who matter most.
More Than Just Making Things
Another part of owning Mandy's of Fargo that means a lot to me is having the freedom to give back to my community.
I love having the opportunity to volunteer, support local organizations, and donate to local nonprofits whenever I can.
Being a small business owner means I may not have the resources of a huge corporation, but I believe that every little bit helps. Whether it's donating an item, supporting a fundraiser, volunteering my time, or simply sharing information about a local organization, I want Mandy's of Fargo to be part of the community—not just a business located in it.
After all, small businesses are built by communities. Supporting the people and organizations around us is one way we can help make those communities stronger.
Why Mandy's of Fargo Exists
At the heart of Mandy's of Fargo is creativity, family, humor, and a whole lot of handmade goodness.
What started as a suggestion from my husband and a craft room full of projects has grown into something I never expected.
I get to create things that make people smile, laugh, decorate their homes, celebrate the people they love, or simply say, “Yep. That's totally me.”
And I get to do it in a way that allows me to balance being a business owner, a mom, a wife, and a person who occasionally needs to step away from the craft table and recharge.
Mandy's of Fargo may have started because I needed a different way to work, but it has become so much more than that.
It's a place where my family's creativity and sense of humor live on.
It's a way for me to share things I've made with my own hands.
It's a way for me to connect with other people who appreciate handmade items, humor, and a little bit of personality in their homes.
And it's a way for me to build something that works for my life.
So, that's the story behind Mandy's of Fargo.
It started with a craft room, a husband with an idea, and a woman looking for a different path.
And I'm pretty happy with where that path has taken me.
0 comments