Inspiring Conversations with Lauren Dike of Conflicted

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Dike.

Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
We started our business in late 2019 and really got invested in 2020. We started our business due to layoffs from the Covid pandemic, and we haven’t looked back. We started our business trying to figure out our place in this world. We started out by making normal stuff that we didn’t feel it fit our styles. Then, we started leaning towards the weirder things we enjoy and have built a community of spooky Halloween/horror-loving people. This business has helped me grow as a person, and I enjoy every minute of it. I can’t wait to see where it takes us. Every year, we do 2-4 fundraiser giveaways; we raise funds for our local community and donate 100% of all funds raised, and we giveaway a Custom Pumpkin bag. We love being able to have the chance to help the people around us in our local community. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running a business will always have its struggles; it’s how you deal and adapt to them that will make or break your business. I have had many struggles and have learned from them all and have been able to make changes and grow. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Conflicted gets its name from our indecisiveness and wanting to use every medium we could get our hands on. We create products in many mediums, are most popular is our handmade leather pumpkin bags. We designed the pattern in 2020, and it really took off in 2023. We also have a set up in our local year-round horror store, Terror Trader (Chandler, AZ); they have helped us grow our business and created a beautiful partnership that we cherish. 

There are just 2 of us making products, and I think it sets us apart. We do not outsource, and we do everything ourselves. We have built this business with long days and hard work. 

I am most proud of the community we have built, without them, we would be nothing and I am eternally grateful for every single person that has show us kindness and support. 

We offer high-quality products that are handmade and made to last. We have an eye for detail and the determination to get the work done perfect to our customers’ liking. 

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I find that networking on social media and with local fellow artists/businesses is the key to growing. If you stay consistent and social media and build your community, your customer base is unlimited. Make the products you love to make, and you will find your people, don’t give up and stay consistent! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopconflicted.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conflictedgifts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Conflictedgifts
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Conflictedgifts