It’s hard to believe that a little over a year ago, one of my best friends convinced me to start this business. Let me back up…In the Fall of 2021, I was chatting with a friend on her front porch (probably drinking a glass or two of wine) while our kids played and we were talking about birthday parties. Remember, this was during the pandemic when things around here in Maryland were finally starting to feel a little normal again. We were discussing our big plans, and all the cute little paper goods and favors we wanted to have for our kids’ upcoming fall birthdays, when it hit me, I could make those things! Prior to this, I had spent a good portion of the spring and summer teaching myself how to use Adobe Photoshop because I had made it a goal to make my own holiday card, so I could definitely make some party supplies and favor tags! As my friend and I continued discussing, she turned to me and said “You could do this, you know, like for real.” I remember sitting back for a moment and thinking, “I totally could!” There’s definitely more to it than just that, but thats how it all started, in nutshell!

I thought of a cute business name and created an instagram account, started following my close friends and sharing what I was creating. Luckily, I had quite a few friends with fall birthdays, and then as Halloween approached, there were favor tags for class parties and things. Since I had been planning all along to make my own holiday card, I thought why not make holidays cards for everyone else too! Looking back, starting things off during the fall was probably not the best timing, and I definitely felt the pressure. But I told myself that I’d give it these few months and see how things went before I dove head in.

Well, I LOVED it! In fact, I wanted to do so much more! The more I learned, the more I wanted to do! I started off by creating an LLC and that is when I found out that my beloved business name was already taken. I quickly pivoted to Mallory Designs (I honestly couldn't think of another name I liked as much as the first one, so I just went with my own name) because I didn't want to waste any time. I bought a domain name, and started working on my website, and here we are today!

When I look back on this past year, I am so proud of how far we’ve come (and by we, I mean myself and Mallory Designs, I really don’t think of my company as myself, she’s like her own being, my own little best friend). I never realized how much I needed this company until I am sitting here reflecting on this past year.

I had been a stay at home mom for five years when this all started. I never felt like I was missing anything, I guess I just never realized how much I needed some sort of creative outlet. I am still a ball of stress before any big launch, our laundry piles up way more than it used to, and dinners have more or less become reheated or take out, way more than I like to admit, but I feel so much more fulfilled.

So when I look back on 2022, I am so proud of how far we’ve come and so grateful for all the support from friends near and far! Every order that comes in, every email or DM request, and every time someone has shared something I’ve made for them, warms my heart beyond belief!

I am so excited to start another year, but I am also excited to take a little break and reflect a little more. I’ve really learned how important my family is to me, and how important balancing work and time with my husband and children really is. Even though I have big plans and probably 10,000 ideas of what I’d like to accomplish, my main goal for next year is to find balance in it all.