Meet Heather Nicholson | Owner-Creator & Maker

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

Hi Heather, how do you think about risk?
Risk can be such a daunting word. When it comes to risk that could potentially bring physical harm, I’m not about it at all, but risk for a potential payoff–I’m in! I’m a very easy-going person who is always trying to figure out the best way to perform any task, so when something isn’t working out it is very easy for me to find a solution and shift. This served me well when the pandemic first struck. I was cleaning houses in Breckenridge and had my Etsy shop at the time–selling stickers, shirts and pillows. I couldn’t clean due to lock downs, and no one was buying for pleasure. I pivoted and started making surgical scrub hats with buttons on the side for mask loops. These were in high demand since nurses were now required to wear them. It was a risk that paid off well and really began my journey of focusing on my product business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art style has shifted over the years with growing confidence and learning along the way. Some steps in life that have really lead me down this path are my degree in Fashion Design where I learned how to use Adobe software, perfect my sewing skills and learned what psychology was. I fell in love with psychology and pursued a bachelor’s degree once I graduated from fashion design. Psychology is really important in understanding people’s purchasing patterns, color choice, down to even what type of music increases purchasing. It’s such a fascinating subject that can be applied to anything in life. Another very important part of my journey was working at a boutique in Breckenridge, CO that made many of their products. I began working there when I was just making pillows and shirt designs for my Etsy shop. I learned so many new possibilities of what could be made and what my designs could be applied to–it even gave me the skills to open my brick and mortar. Although my brick and mortar is now closed, it was a huge risk that I’m thankful that I took. I entered the lease knowing the building was for sale, which was a huge risk and weight on my shoulders knowing it could sell any day and the new owners could kick me out or raise rent. Well, they went with the hike in rent. Fairplay, CO isn’t the most booming town, so higher rent just wasn’t feasible. It was very saddening to close my shop, but I believe it gave me the push I needed to finally focus on wholesaling my products and it showed me that people love my products and that I could be successful. A lot of my products are items that I print my designs/paintings onto, as well as hand sewn fabric art items like pillows and wall art. I try to come up with unique designs that you don’t see in every boutique or gift shop. My most unique and popular items are my handmade ornaments, fabric art pillows and wall art. People really love supporting local makers and enjoy having their handmade products. I think that not only do they love the item, but it makes them feel good knowing they helped an artist survive.

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.
I’m originally from Texas, so no one visits in the winter at 9953 ft. It would be summer, and I would start off by showing them Front Street in Fairplay. There are many cute shops to browse like Mountain Essentials, a gift shop where the owner makes her own goat’s milk soap and skincare products, River Wilding a boutique with the owner’s hand cast jewelry, and Eagle Rock Ranch Mercantile where you can purchase locally raised beef and kitchen decor. We would then stop for some lunch and ice cream at Silver Scoop Creamery, then off to the historic South Park City Museum. Over the next few days we would venture to Buena Vista for more shopping and dining, then a hike around the Arkansas river and a stop at Mt Princeton hot springs. Then up to Kremmling for a day on the Colorado River. A week full of shopping, adventure and sight seeing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family and friends who have supported me 100% of the way and who have believed in me even when I didn’t think it was possible. To everyone who has purchased a product from me, great or small. Not only have you supported my small business directly, you have given me the confidence to know that my products are loved and purchasable. And I can’t forgot the unknowing mentors along the way that have taught me more than we realized at the time. To each and everyone of you, I am grateful.

Website: www.thewoollymoth.com

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