Meet Maddie McCreedy | Small Business Owner

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

Hi Maddie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Flask Friends has been a very challenging yet beautiful journey. I started this small business over a year ago in the middle of the pandemic, in hopes to share my idea and bring a fun artistic touch of creativity into the world during such a dark time. This business started with a random idea that popped into my head and I thought, “I think this could really sell.” I took this opportunity to have a personal creative challenge. It goes along perfectly with the saying you never know unless you try so I thought why not try! I was not expecting many sales, maybe some from family and friends. To my surprise, overnight I got sales from all over the country and people were so kind and appreciative of these cute little stickers. With the tremendous love and support, Flask Friends will continue to grow and evolve.

Personalization is the goal of Flask Friends. I want customers to be able to share their passions and interests anywhere they choose to bring their water bottle. Every sticker has a different story, just like every water bottle, and every customer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always had a love for art, design, and creation. Flask Friends was the perfect creative opportunity because I was able to draw and curate every sticker I sell. My favorite part of the business is coming up with fun outfits and ideas for the Hydro Flask logo and bringing them to life. The hardest part about starting your business, is learning how to literally start. I had to watch hours of tutorials on how to make stickers, how to manage a Etsy shop, how to bring in customers, and how to run something out of your home in the most cost effective way. The best advise I can give is to take things day by day. It is very easy to get overwhelmed of the big picture and end goal. I had to really focus on smaller goals which eventually led to accomplishing my main vision. It is important to never give up either. Some days I am extremely tired or just want to focus on one job and not have to package orders after a 8-hour work day. However, I remind myself of why I started and where I want to be in the future with Flask Friends and it helps me stay motivated.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to Marina Del Ray to have breakfast by the water and then go to the Santa Monica board walk to roller skate had spend time in the sun. I love trying new Los Angeles restaurants so finding a cool spot for dinner and drinks would end the night perfectly!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I remember calling my parents the second I thought of Flask Friends and I pitched them my idea. They were extremely supportive and loved the idea which gave me the right push to start things up. It was very challenging because I was doing everything alone from designing and drawing the stickers I would sell, to managing orders, sales, and customers while being in school and working other jobs. They helped me in every way possible and never gave up on me or my vision.

Website: www.flaskfriends.com

Instagram: flask_friends

Facebook: Flask Friends

Other: Etsy Shop: Flask Friends