Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Roman.
Madison Roman
Hi Madison, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got to where I am today by never sleeping. I’m just kidding. It started with a love of crafts but wanting fully custom items to say what I wanted or have a design I wanted—something I couldn’t find in a store. When I got pregnant with my first child, I went from doing nothing to doing everything around the home. My nesting kicked in in full force. Suddenly, I wanted to make paintings for the house, the baby’s nursery, custom utensil holders, and fancy towels, and it just went from there. It went from making cute accessories to redoing my living room with all handmade decor. When I had my second child, I had to create artwork for her room like our first child. Eventually, it got to the point where people would ask me to make them items or say I should sell items. I thought about it often but wanted to ensure I had mastered the skills before selling anything.
As a test, in November of 2022, I decided to post pictures on Facebook of the ornaments I made for my kids and offered to make custom ornaments for people – and so it began. My phone went off nonstop for orders of every Christmas ornament you could imagine. Whether using an image someone already had, creating my image/design, or even using drawings others submitted to be on the ornament. The rush from this was incredible. I was so shocked; I did not expect that kind of response. But it is the Arizona type of people; they love to support locals. From my Facebook posts, I received a message from a local store in Florence asking if I would be willing to put my ornaments there. I immediately jumped at this; it was an excellent opportunity to get my name out there and locally get to sell. This was my first big step as a small business, and I am very thankful for this family that offered me this amazing opportunity. I had to come up with a name because it was not just a “sell things when I can” but an “I will be a small business, here any time for any customer.” I had no issue picking my name for my business. My dad, my role model and best friend, had a business years ago called “Precise (more title)” I wanted to continue his name and add “With A Slice” because my business is about cutting and slicing things to achieve results. That’s what the name has been and will forever remain.
Selling locally on facebook was great so I made a TikTok and Instagram and began posting custom and premade items there. Many orders for custom cake toppers have come in, which is our niche and my favorite thing to make. I began completing orders, created a book of business, and started tracking all expenses and money made. I was asked to put more inventory in the local store and happily completed this request. To this day, I continue to have items in this store. I eventually made an Etsy, began to sell on Amazon Handmade, and grew to different platforms. I am very grateful to all the locals who helped me grow my business. I did this on my own, with the support of my husband, Edgar. I don’t have the family to help share and spread the word. I don’t have the family to throw in money. I don’t have the family support that most people do. My dad and husband have been a fantastic support; however, they don’t use social media. It is all me advertising, designing, cutting, making items, creating videos, editing photos, and coming up with ideas while working a full-time 40-hour-a-week job and raising 2 toddlers. So maybe I don’t sleep, but that’s okay. I wouldn’t be at this point without my determination and amazing husband, who helps tremendously with the kids. At this point, my husband has been determined to learn how to make certain items to help. And, of course, my kids are beneficial when coloring pages or children’s items. My business is making custom and premade items you need help finding elsewhere. This business is fully self-made, woman-owned, and family-operated.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not in the slightest. I’ve had business struggles and personal struggles. My biggest struggles are completing everything and spending quality time with my children. So, I’ve decided to combine the two: let my kids help me and let them test products. Coloring pages, for example, let them color and see how well they work. Or with kids’ shirts, I’ll ask them what they like if I can’t choose. I will make an extra item for them to try. Small things like that will let us spend time together and let me get work done, but also memories they won’t forget. Of course, I have struggled with low sales and the fluctuation that I am sure most businesses experience, especially when starting up a new business. It can sometimes be very disheartening, but I never give up and am determined to build my social media and continue to advertise. Personal struggles play a role as well. I recently had a major surgery. My chest/ribs were caved in severely, and I had to undergo a 4-hour surgery and put in three 12-inch bars on my ribs. It was one of the craziest and most challenging things I have ever experienced; the pain was and sometimes still is unreal. A surgery that takes 9 months to 1 year to recover. But in the second to third-week post-op, I took orders and pushed myself to complete items, yet I could barely even walk. As a small business owner, I always struggle. But we don’t let them stop us!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
ne thing we are proud of that sets us apart from others is that we do not charge for shipping on most products! We take pride in knowing we will offer free shipping with almost every order. We aren’t about the money but about the passion. Our business, Precise With A Slice, is unique and very close to my heart. Our business is built around my passion and what I love to do. We are a self-made business started purely by passion and trial and error. We are woman-owned. We are family-operated, as my husband took the time to learn how it works and how to complete orders, but I am also constantly getting my kids involved to try new products or help with ideas. We specialize in custom and premade products you would need help finding elsewhere. “No” is not a word that comes out of our mouth, as we strive not only to meet but exceed our customers’ expectations. We make many items, specializing in custom and premade cake toppers and cupcake picks, as this is what we are most known for. If you want to celebrate a birthday or event, we are your go-to for cake toppers and cake picks to add a flare to the cake! We also do custom and premade domino sets, custom and premade coasters, signs, shirts, keychains, and other products. When the end of October or early November approaches, we begin taking orders for ornaments! Ornaments are how our business started and are still one of our favorites. We offer round, oblong, flat, glass, plastic, and more with any design the customer chooses. We are your go-to for all custom items.
When you buy something you want, it’s exciting. But it’s even more exciting when it’s something customized and made special for you or a loved one. We can turn drawings into a shirt, put them on a cup or a sign, make them into a decal or sticker, etc. We can design items precisely according to what a customer wants. We provide products you can’t find in other stores. This sets us apart from others. Of course, some people can also do custom items. However, we will go above and beyond to ensure we can reasonably produce exactly what the customer wants. Rush orders have yet to stop us!
Another thing that sets us apart is that we are a family-run business, meaning we are trusted. Being a young mom of two children, I fully understand wanting to get something custom-made but worrying about money or a product not being how you want it. Here at Precise With A Slice, we offer affordability and reliability. We work with our customers every step of the way. When a customer reaches out, we ensure that they get a clear understanding of precisely what they want. Once we receive a deposit, we begin with the design. We may contact the customer during the design process to clarify color or certain things. Once the design is done, we send it to the customer before proceeding to ensure everything is to their liking. If they want something changed, this is where it is done, but we do this to ensure they are getting exactly what they want. Once they approve the design, we go ahead and make the item. If it is an item that takes a couple of days, we will send them updates along the way. Once complete, we provide the item to the customer. This makes us stand out and provides an excellent experience, so customers will want to return and tell all their loved ones about us. At Precise With A Slice, customers are not just customers of this growing small business but also a part of the family we intend to grow with.
What changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, we plan to be well known and be that one-stop shop for all customers. We hope to spread the word about our business and continue to build trust with our customers. We fully intend to keep our business family running while gaining and growing our customers’ trust. We will provide new and improved premade products while offering custom products. We will continue to focus on cake toppers and cupcake picks. We plan to have our store. But for now, we thank every one of our new and returning customers because we would not be where we are without you.
Pricing:
- Tailored to the product
- Competitive pricing with similar products on the market
Contact Info:
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