Meet Alexandria Blomstrom | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandria Blomstrom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandria, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Since starting Alex Blom Creates, an overarching mission of my clothing brand has been to spread kindness, one creation at a time. Today, we live in a digital world where real human connection can be hard to come by. I like to think of ABC’s social media platforms as a “happy little corner of the internet” and I am truly in awe of the wonderful community that has been fostered over the years!

What makes me happy is witnessing my creations brighten days first-hand. Whether it’s a ghost on a skateboard, a catchy phrase or a treasured location, it’s more than an outfit or an accessory for the people wearing them. The Enjoy the Little Things tees reminds us to take a moment throughout the day to slow down and appreciate the simple pleasures, whether it’s a short outdoor walk or the perfect iced coffee. I had created this design in college when I needed the reminder myself, and something about wearing the message around made it even more impactful for me. Albert the Skateboarding Ghost & the other holiday characters induce childhood nostalgia, bringing back feelings of excitement and eagerness for the seasons. And the happy place collection allows us to take our happy places with us everywhere we go, holding onto the memories tied to each destination.

Nothing has brought me more joy than seeing these items bring good energy into the lives of others. I’ve had brides order matching tees for the place they’d been engaged, teachers purchase pumpkin sweatshirts because their young students would love it, granddaughters order matching items for herself & her grandparents, and so much more. Hearing the “why” behind a purchase has brought (happy) tears to my eyes a multitude of times over the course of the past four years because from the start, my mission has always been to spread kindness through the things I was creating. I am so grateful for all of the people I have had the privilege to connect with over the past few years who shared their “why”s. Bringing people together is a beautiful thing!

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Alex Blom Creates in 2020, when I was a sophomore at Penn State University. I had been sent home from college due to the pandemic and was exploring creative outlets to fill my time. I started making shirts and it was during this time that I fell in love with the concept of building a brand. Coming up with designs and representing them through clothing, taking each message with me everywhere I went, was so fulfilling to me. From the start, ABC’s mission has been to spread positivity, one creation at a time – flash forward today and we are doing just that! It’s surreal to hear from customers about how each piece has had a positive impact on their lives, whether it be something as simple as a skateboarding ghost, an important reminder or a beloved destination.

Along the way, I have navigated a plethora of challenges, and it is because of this I learned a valuable lesson. You do not need to have all of the answers to start something. One of my favorite things about running Alex Blom Creates is that I am constantly learning new things and perpetually working towards becoming more efficient. I did not start my brand knowing about Pinterest best practices or the perfect size polymailers to use for sweatshirts, but they are things I encountered, evaluated, and optimized along the way. Starting my brand has been the most enriching learning experience, and it’s been invaluable to learn through experimenting and trial and error over the years. Through all of this, I have discovered that the hardest part of starting something can be the “starting” part. I always joke to people who ask for tips regarding starting a business that Google will be their best friend throughout the process, but it is truly no joke. Not sure what website platform to use? Head to Google. Need help coding your order confirmation emails? Google! You get the gist. My advice to someone interested in starting a small business is to just start, because you are not supposed to have the answers to every little thing from the start.

Another piece of advice I have for aspiring small business owners is to ensure whatever product or service you are selling, make sure you are passionate about it. Being an entrepreneur comes with its own set of challenges, but when you are working towards something you are head over heals for, it makes the bad days feel a little better, and the good days so much sweeter. Personally, I have poured my heart and soul into building my happy little brand into what it is today. I’ve spent countless hours perfecting designs and products until they were exactly how I envisioned, and I take great pride in creating authentic and genuine content for the community I have built. Some days can be stressful or frustrating, but at the end of the day ABC truly fills my cup, and I wouldn’t trade these days for the world. For anyone dreaming of starting their venture, remember: the journey begins with passion, and from there, everything else will follow.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A visit from a friend would not be complete without a visit to one of my favorite local coffee shops. I am based outside of Philadelphia, and one of my favorite things to do a day or two out of the week is bring my computer to work at one of the cozy local coffee shops. I would take my friend to Blossom Cafe in Skippack, which doubles as a plant store and garden center. The ambiance there is amazing and the coffee is delicious. The whole town is lined with small shops and restaurants, so we can stroll and shop for the day. For dinner, I’m taking my friend to the Collegeville Italian Bakery, where everything on the menu is good! They have the best pizzas, chicken cutlet sandwiches, and a Nutella bar in case we want a sweet treat, among countless other menu items. We have some really great family-owned restaurants in this area, but the Bakery is always my go-to to take anyone who is in town visiting!

Finally, a visit to the Philadelphia area would not be complete without heading to South Philadelphia for a game, whether it be the Sixers, Flyers Phillies, or even an Eagles tailgate. Philly sports fans take great pride in being sports fans, and the games are always exciting and bustling. Personally, I love a nighttime Phillies game in the spring or summer! And of course, we will grab some cheesesteaks on the way!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my amazing family for encouraging me to pursue my passions head-on! They are truly my biggest cheerleaders and I am who I am today thanks to their unwavering support. Since starting my small business, they have always been willing to lend a helping hand, whether it be my grandma coming over to help package orders, my brother offering to model new arrivals, or the whole family assisting with running market days. And of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the time in my life when I graduated college and moved back home for a bit to save money. Not only was I welcomed back home with open arms, but ABC was too. I transformed our family dining room into a packaging station and lined the wall with a few shelving units, and my family was happy to be a part of the journey… although nowadays they are definitely glad to have their home back, free of cardboard boxes full of sweatshirts. Building my brand with my family right there with me was an incredibly special experience—one that I will forever hold close to my heart.

Website: https://alexblomcreates.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexblom.creates/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexblom.creates/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQJC3pYEU4ejqs_kV6Jmzg

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexblomcreates/