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Sherry Lee | Your Maker BFF

@esselle.yourmakerbff

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Unhinged things I did to grow my business? 👀 Or just necessary things to grow? This was what I did that took us to the next level in the early years. ⬇️
I was an online stalker 🤫, obsessed with figuring out which brands had which agencies representing them. My only goal back then? Get representation. Mind you, there was no ChatGPT to “craft the perfect pitch email” back then — so it was just me, firing off cold emails after cold emails that probably screamed amateur hour. Hit send. Hear crickets. Repeat.
But I didn’t stop. I kept pitching, refining my deck, believing there was space for my work. Eventually, a few stores — Magnolia, Food52, Anthropologie — took a chance on me. Those yes’s cracked open the door to even bigger opportunities!
Then came the wild one: an agency I had my eye on REPLIED TO MY COLD EMAIL 🫣 and said yes to a meeting. Within a week I booked a flight, packed a suitcase full of my products (some with embarrassingly unfinished packaging), and flew to LA. I marched into their office and pitched my line face to face. That gamble landed me a rep — which meant access to huge tradeshows like NYNOW and Atlanta Gift Market without paying the insane exhibitor fees. Their showrooms had foot traffic from the top buyers in the country, and suddenly, my products were sitting right next to legacy brands.
And little by little, those yes’s stacked: Anthropologie. Madewell. Bloomingdale’s. Netflix. And hundreds of boutique retailers nationwide.
The truth? It wasn’t luck. It was grit, persistence, patience, and a shameless refusal to give up. Every no was just training for the day the yes’s came rolling in. And trust me — they were worth it. ✨

🎉I have begun putting years of what I learned, my resources and tools into guides, checklists and ebooks! Lots of freebies to help new solo maker business to break into the market!

📣 Want to be the first to get my free guides? Save this post and DM me MAKER and I will add you to my list.📋

#Esselle #smallbusinesstips #smallbusinessmarketing by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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a year ago

✨ As Esselle prepares for its final curtain call (7 weeks left and counting!), I’m not just looking back—I’m looking forward.

Twelve years of lessons, wins, and stumbles have shaped me into who I am today.💁🏻‍♀️

And instead of leaving those lessons behind, I’m carrying them into a new chapter: turning experience into tools, clarity, and guidance for makers ready to write their own stories.⚒️

Because starting over at 40 isn’t about loss—
it’s about realignment 🔮. It’s about building with intention, and proving that you don’t have to do it all alone. #Esselle

The best part?
This time, I get to help others thrive alongside me.✨ taken in San Francisco, California by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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a year ago

Here goes folks! 🥹 Only 3 more days until closing. My heart is SO full. Thank you for showing up for me, for Esselle. If you haven’t gotten a chance to claim our handcraft goods or clearance items, here’s a gentle reminder to go check it out one last time! It’s been my joy to create for you!!! Thank you thank you🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 #Esselle #ClosingSale by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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8 months ago

Last week before closing!! 🥹 Thankful for all the orders coming in in our final week! Incredibly grateful to our amazing customers. I will sure miss creating for you!!🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 #Esselle #ClosingSale by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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9 months ago

Our last day to order is fast approaching! Get your hands on our marbleized soap dish by 11/12 before it’s gone forever.😿 #Esselle #Closingsale by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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9 months ago

This season feels like a mix of endings and becoming, a reminder that alignment, effort, and belief always lead us right where we’re meant to be. 🌿

As I wrap up Esselle after 12 beautiful years, I hope you find a little piece of joy, calm, or inspiration that’s followed you through our designs.

🕯️ Every tray, candle, and keepsake now carries that same energy—intentional, grounded, and ready to find its forever home. Take a moment to visit the site, browse what’s left, and maybe bring one last piece of Esselle into your space. #Esselle by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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9 months ago

One of the most asked questions when you google “vanity tray” is — What is a vanity tray and what do you put on a tray? 👀

Let our customer show you what she use it for! The perfect place to keep her every day accessories. An aesthetic organizer on your desk.✨ #Esselle by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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9 months ago

You made it here for a reason — and that reason is probably ✨a good deal✨.

Everything’s 25% off, with clearance up to 80% off.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll grab one later,” …this is later. 😌….because we are exactly 2 weeks away from closing shop!

What started as a side hustle 12 years ago became a full chapter of my life — filled with resin, candles, and stories from all of you who made Esselle so special. 🫶🏼 #Esselle taken in San Francisco, California by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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9 months ago

Lately I’ve been learning that slowing down isn’t falling behind, it’s just finding a steadier rhythm.

You don’t need to sprint to make progress. You just need to keep showing up — grounded, clear, and ready to take the next right step.

Whatever this week brings, I hope it fills you with quiet confidence, renewed focus, and the reminder that you’ve got this. 🌿 #Esselle by @esselle.yourmakerbff

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