Exploring Life & Business with Katie Richards of One Crafty Crew

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Richards of One Crafty Crew.

Hi Katie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a wife, a mom of four, and a serial entrepreneur. I was born and raised in a suburb outside of Chicago, the youngest of four children. I have lived in Arizona for the past 19 years and reside in Scottsdale with my husband Grahame and our four children, ages 1, 3, 5, and 7. I am one blessed mama! I am a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Corporate/Organizational Communications. I hold two certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, including Fitness Nutrition and Weight Loss Specialist. I have always been an entrepreneur, starting three businesses in my early twenties and selling my natural supplement company in 2017, just before welcoming my second daughter. Since then, my husband and I have welcomed two more children making us a family of 6; I published my first book, which is available on Amazon, Kale and Kegels: Helping Women Experience a Healthier, Happier Motherhood; I manage, run and oversee the building of our short-term vacation rentals, and now recently started a new business with my children called One Crafty Crew. It allows us to be together all the time, which I love, while also teaching my kids about entrepreneurship while young. My greatest purpose in life is to be the mother of my four children. Everyone is having fun, learning a lot, and creating some awesome crayon creations!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everything in life has its challenges. There will always be curveballs in your business and personal life; it is inevitable. It is important to remember when an obstacle presents itself; you can’t just give up; you have to push through and keep going. Challenges and struggles are sometimes good; they often force us outside our comfort zone. On the other side of these challenges is growth. It is important to have a positive attitude towards whatever comes your way and know there is a blessing in everything, even if you can’t see it immediately. There have been many challenges throughout my journey as a mom of 4 and entrepreneur. From all my experiences, I learned the importance of a good attitude, a solid foundation, and balance in life. Now as a mom of four, family is first, always. Kids are only little for so long, and it goes so fast. Being with them and present in their lives daily is the most important thing to me. So although I have this burning entrepreneurial drive to innovate, build, and create, I will always prioritize my family first. So for a couple of years, I have kept an open mind to an opportunity that may arise where I can utilize my knowledge and drive to take on new business ventures with my love of being with my children. Out of that came One Crafty Crew!

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about One Crafty Crew?
At One Crafty Crew, we are a local, family-owned business specializing in premium handmade crayons for kids. Our fun crayon products make the best gifts for kids of all ages. You are never too old to color! We use top-quality crayon material, non-toxic and made in the US to ensure each product looks amazing and is vibrant and beautiful to color with. Although our crayons may not be the cheapest, they are quality. You get what you pay for, and we want to create crayons your kids will love. Nothing is worse than a crayon made mostly of wax with minimal color pigment. We have all been to restaurants with kids, and they get a small 3 pack of crayons and a kid menu just to be disappointed with the dull colors that come from their crayons, often too waxy even to color. You won’t get that here! The One Crafty Crew brand of premium crayons is perfect for keeping in a small backpack or carrying case for road trips, dining out, or even when kids must wait at a doctor’s office. We make all the crayon products ourselves, and everyone pitches in. We currently offer Personalized Name Crayons (each alphabet crayon letter used in a name is handmade using 2 or more crayon colors for a cool mixed rainbow design), Full Alphabet Letter Crayon Set (great for not only coloring but early learning of alphabet letters and sounds), and over 15 super cool Custom Crayon Sets (Airplanes, Animals, Building Blocks, Butterflies, Cacti, Dinosaurs, Halloween, Paw Prints, Spring, Unicorns, and more). Our crayons are a great gift for birthdays, holidays, back to school, class parties, teacher appreciation, stocking stuffers, Halloween treat bags, party goodie bags, to say thank you, or to let someone know you are thinking about them.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the youngest of four. I have a very close family. From a young age, I had an entrepreneurial spirit in me. I was very independent, confident, and driven. I was a planner and a perfectionist. I always pushed myself and loved a challenge. I was a straight-A student, 3 sports athletes in high school (volleyball, basketball, and track), graduated early from high school, moved to Arizona at 17 to start college, and graduated with honors. I worked in high school and college but always had a side business. I may be the CEO and Head Mama of One Crafty Crew, but it wouldn’t be what it is today without my amazing little crew; they are the heart of our business. Since they are growing up right before our eyes, it would be the perfect opportunity to share a little about their personalities and interests. Sophia is the Chief Design Officer. She is our crafty, ballet-loving, super artistic girlie-girl. She loves being hands-on in all aspects of the business, from designing the logo to brainstorming fun ways to create bright, colorful products kids will love. She has so many good ideas and is a great little communicator. She is focused, creative, and excited to turn her ideas into products for her first business venture. This girl amazes us and has a heart of gold.

Adeline is the Head of Crayon Preparation. She is our crafty, roller-blade-loving, super helper. She is the first to raise her hand to help with any part of the business, from prepping the crayons to breaking and sorting colors to carefully removing the final product from the molds. She is little miss independent and loves testing the new products to ensure the crayons look bright, beautiful, and are fun to color with.

Isabella is the Chief Crayon Officer. She is our crafty, fun-loving, independent, silly 3-year-old. She loves being hands-on like her sisters and is great at any new task. She is a little smarty pants who isn’t afraid to speak up if her sisters aren’t letting her take a turn making some crayons or popping them out after they have set. She loves helping with every step of the personalized crayon-making process, from prep work and color combining to carefully removing the finished products for packaging. She might be small, but her personality is mighty! Together, we are One Crafty Crew!

Pricing:

• Personalized Name Crayons – Starting at $18.95
• Handmade Crayon Sets for Kids – Starting at $9.95
• Custom Crayon Orders – Email for Pricing

Contact Info:

• Website: OneCraftyCrew.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/OneCraftyCrew
• Facebook: facebook.com/OneCraftyCrewAZ