Meet Anna & Sarah Lesinski/Hall | Co-founders of Hiccups to Harmony

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna & Sarah Lesinski/Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna & Sarah, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Hiccups to Harmony began as a blog a few years ago and has since evolved to also include our eco-friendly craft business. Through our blog, we hope to inspire and encourage people by being vulnerable and authentic. Everyone encounters hiccups in their lives. We believe there is power in mindsets and value in finding harmony in the midst of the bumpy road. Knowing you’re not alone and finding community with others is an important part of that. Our business was created from a desire to minimize the amount of single-use items our families used and to eliminate as much exposure to harmful chemicals as possible. Our reusable snack bags were our very first product and still our most popular. Avoiding storing food in plastic and being intentional about choosing reusable products are important lifestyle choices for us that only became more important after our encounter with health scares and cancer. We began making these products for ourselves before we ever thought of starting a business and making them for others. Our washable cotton round sets were created because we wanted an option that was more sustainable and created less waste. Thinking through how we can choose to reduce/reuse/recycle in our daily lives has led us to create these different items for our own families and yours! Our favorite moments are when we meet new people who are inspired by our products to make a shift in their own lives by choosing to use reusable items. We believe that every effort to reduce waste is impactful. We are proud to be able to offer unique, eco-friendly products that are practical and affordable because we understand the value of both. We get so much joy in finding fabric that sparks a smile! Let’s be honest, snacks taste better in a bag with something you love on it (dinosaurs/mermaids/succulents)!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Has it been a smooth process? Far from it. And yet, that is life and we knew we’d have to be flexible and willing to learn from our experiences. We had never run a business before and there was a lot we did not know (and are still figuring out, honestly!). All that goes into paying taxes and staying organized as a small business was a big one that felt very overwhelming, but we’ve learned so much and reached out for help so many times. The product supply chain has been a learning curve. Our whole first year I think we literally made products as we sold them, over and over until we finished out the busy market season. We’ve learned how important rhythm is and how when we each do our part, we can stay on track with more ease. We have had to learn what is worth investing our time and energy into, because as moms and wives who also have a lot of other things going on in our lives, we have to be intentional about our choices in order to keep the balance and harmony we value. Being flexible and creative has been imperative to our success. There have been many a work day that has had to be pieced together around kids naps, snacks and meltdowns. We have created this business in the midst of our lives which means that as we pursue our passions, we often do so while actively parenting. Even as I write this, I have two kids and a computer on my lap.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This list could be endless. I (Anna) grew up being taught to sew by my Grandma and my Mom. Without those years of learning side by side and over their shoulders I wouldn’t have the skills I need today to run this business. Barb (Sarah’s mom) is an irreplaceable part of our team. She is a gifted seamstress and has put in countless hours helping us create product and achieve our goals. Starting a small business is often overwhelming and there are many times we’ve needed to reach out for help. Jill Shaver with Solutions by Shaver was someone who took us through all we needed to know about taxes. Kathryn Hanick is a good friend in the arts and crafts community who was always there to answer questions and help us figure out business structure and selling at markets. Our loyal, repeat customers who tell their friends about us have truly made such an impact on our success and we appreciate the love.

Website: hiccupstoharmony.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiccupstoharmony/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiccupstoharmony