If you’re a papercrafter, you’re probably familiar with Spellbinders Paper Arts – the producers of great die cutting machines and dies. And if you’re a fan of Spellbinders, we have a treat for you today! We here at Creative Income were lucky enough to meet the Co-Founder and President, Stacey Caron at the Craft and Hobby Association trade show and she was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to give us a little interview.
Recently, Stacey Caron had the great honor of being selected as the “Top Idea Maven” by The Women’s Advantage and featured in their 2013 Women’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. The calendar shares snip-bits of advice from influential women leaders for female business owners. Just like all of you! Her advice was chosen from over 5,000 submissions and we are very happy to be able to be able to share some of her vast business knowledge with all of you!
Interview with Stacey Caron of Spellbinders
Q. What an honor to be selected as a Top-Idea Maven by The Woman’s Advantage! What was your reaction?
A. It is wonderful to be selected & honored among such successful and influential women. I am proud of what I have achieved along with my husband, Jeff, and am always humbled when our accomplishments are recognized. This truly is an incredible honor. Thank you!
Q. Spellbinders comes up with amazing and innovative products every year. Where do you pull your inspiration from?
A. My inspiration comes from many different places. I work with some wonderful designers who continuously inspire me to greater things; I see ideas all around me – in my own home, through my travels here & abroad; through serendipitous meetings with new friends & business contacts. The key is to have an open & curious mind….then you’ll see beyond the obvious.
Q. How did you decide that you wanted to go into the business of producing dies?
A. It came very naturally for me. I have always been a crafter and a creative soul. My husband, Jeff, was a die & tool maker by trade – it was a match made in heaven, for both business and growing together as a couple! We saw an opportunity that was not being addressed in the market and Spellbinders entered the craft and hobby market in 2003 with the introduction of the Spellbinders Wizard™ Universal Craft Tool and a unique, patented collection of dies unlike any introduced before – or since.
Q. What advice do you have for bloggers and designers that want to work with manufactures?
A. Reach out to them, let them know you’re interested in working together. Partnership & collaboration has been a key part of the success of Spellbinders. Finding that win win truly benefits everyone.
Q. What’s your number one tips for women looking to start their own business?
A. Harness your passion.
Q. How often do you set new business goals for yourself?
A. I’d like to say that I do this regularly…but it’s much more fluid than that. I’m constantly meeting new people and coming up with new ideas that prompt more creative inspiration for new product development & business opportunities. So I work closely with product development and the management team here at Spellbinders.
Q. What’s your go-to time management tip?
A. Make a list and check it twice!! That’s the ideal but I’m not the most organized of people so I’m lucky to have a great team around me that help keep me on track when things gets crazy
Q. What do you think is the biggest challenge for you as a female entrepreneur?
A. Balancing work & home. My 2 boys, Nathan & Justin are now 14 & 15 years old which means I’ve now added taxi driver to the growing list of mommy duties! Their social life comes first…..at least in their minds! It’s wonderful having so much going on both at home & work. I’m always on the go and it’s what I love. Spellbinders is going from strength to strength so finding that balance is a constant challenge.
Q. If you could do anything else in the world besides Spellbinders, what would it be?
A. I love all forms of art and now that I have my studio I spend as much free time as I can exploring new ways to express my creative spirit. It’s truly what I love – I could see myself just losing myself in my art. I love messing with paint and different mediums on canvas. It’s liberating and relaxes my mind. A great way to unwind.
Thank you again to Stacey for sharing her knowledge and experience with us! You can pick up your very own copy of the calendar right here.
