Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Talamas.
Hi Melissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After my youngest was born, I found myself wanting to have everything he owned monogrammed. I can’t really explain the obsession, but it was so out of control. I have always been super into fashion and had so much fun dressing my daughter when she was born, but I felt so underwhelmed by all of the baby boy options when I had my son. My solution was to put a monogram on everything to make it feel more unique and special. I was spending so much time (and money!) on monograms, and it got to the point where I was so particular about what I wanted I started feeling like I was annoying every monogrammer I was corresponding with. One day I decided I’m going to save everyone the headache and learn how to do it myself! I bought a single needle machine on Amazon open box for $500 and spent the next couple of months watching countless youtube tutorials. This was June 2020, so it was the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. Fast forward a few months, and I started taking orders from family and friends. In January 2021, I decided to make an Instagram page to share my creations. By January 2022, I launched my website, and in October of 2022, I quit my full-time Oil and Gas job to pursue EJD full-time. I am so lucky to be able to be creative and do what I love every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been super smooth, but it is getting smoother every day! One of the biggest struggles was trying to juggle two jobs for the better part of 2022. I was working a hybrid schedule for my oil and gas job and essentially working a combined 60-70 hours per week. All of my free time was devoted to EJD, and finding time to spend with my family and friends was especially difficult… personal time was nonexistent. Things are better now that I can focus on EJD full-time, however, I am still struggling to keep up with my own growth. There are so many aspects to running a small business that it can be hard to balance it all. Between corresponding with customers, working on new designs, running the machines, packing up orders, restocking inventory, I feel like I am always a step behind and could use an extra set of hands. With that said, I am still not ready to let go of any control and bring on an employee. I take quality control and customer service very seriously, so for now, I want to be the one with my eyes and hands across every aspect of the operation, even if that means late nights and a few headaches!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in custom embroidery and monograms. My shop is primarily focused on baby and children’s clothing and gifts, but I also have a selection of other giftable items for adults. I would say I am known for my unique take on monograms and embroidery designs. My style is definitely not like the traditional monograms of the past or like most of the monogrammed items you can find in a simple Etsy search. I pride myself on creating fun and unique designs that you haven’t seen a million times before. I have an eye for detail, and I think the playful designs and colors I use in my embroidery is what sets me apart from other embroidery shops. I love to mix colors and play with different fonts to create pieces that are unexpected yet aesthetically pleasing.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
There is nothing better than seeing my customers’ babies and kids wearing my designs. It makes me so happy to get to be a part of all the milestones and special occasions. I always feel so honored when I see that one of my pieces was used for a coming home outfit, birthday outfit. Or family photos. I have the world’s best customers, and I feel so lucky for the support and love they have shown me and my small business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emilyandjetdesigns.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/emily.and.jet.designs
