Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Beetlestone.
Hi Alyssa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was always drawn to crafting with my aunt. We would create together year-round, especially when there was a party or holiday to celebrate. During COVID, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into crafting when I purchased my first Cricut, a vinyl and paper cutting machine. I was immediately drawn to the possibilities and soon purchased a larger model to expand my creativity.
My journey into stationery began when I created an intricate, custom-cut invitation for a quinceañera. That project led to a request for another intricate design—a custom-cut gatefold invitation. From there, I began receiving more requests for wedding-related pieces, and my offerings quickly grew.
While I didn’t initially have a wedding-focused business, I was given the opportunity to provide day-of stationery for a local beach club. With the support of their team, I quickly expanded into full invitation suites and day-of stationery. The experience gave me invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience within the wedding industry, and as my confidence and portfolio grew, I began marketing my services beyond the beach club through social media.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. I ran into obstacles pretty quickly when I first started, and it took some time to understand that I didn’t have to do everything myself. As I began branching out and taking on more work, I realized the value of outsourcing certain aspects of the process, particularly printing.
Learning when to outsource was an important turning point for my business. I began to recognize that trying to handle every part of production myself wasn’t always the most efficient or profitable approach. At one point, I realized I was actually spending more money trying to do everything in-house rather than making money from the work. That experience pushed me to rethink my processes, focus on where my time and skills were most valuable, and build a business model that allowed me to take on more clients while working more efficiently.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in wedding and event graphic design, with a focus on wedding invitations and cohesive day-of stationery. I absolutely love laser cutting, both professionally and personally, and I incorporate it into many of my day-of signage pieces.
I also run a sticker and temporary tattoo business, which has been such a fun way to explore another side of event design. It’s opened the door to some really unique experiences, including being booked for an Adidas Skateboarding event in Oregon. That was such a cool opportunity and a great reminder of how many different directions creative work can take you.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to stay true to myself and my dream. Sometimes that means sacrificing summer weekends to prepare for events or putting in long hours behind the scenes, but it is so worth it to be able to do what I love and provide couples with the thoughtful details that make one of the most special days of their lives even more meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.startingwithstationery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithstationery?stkn=cGFwNXIyMDRiZXE1&utm_source=qr
