Navigating the Growth of Austin Moss Creations: From Etsy Beginnings to Expanding Horizons

In the Beginning: Juggling All the Hats

In those early days, I was a one-woman circus—designing, selling, marketing, shipping—you name it, I was juggling it. My workspace? A cozy corner of my home that doubled as a moss art studio and a playroom for my boys. Picture me crafting delicate moss masterpieces with one hand while making peanut butter sandwiches with the other. Every order felt like a new episode of Survivor, whether I was figuring out how to ship fragile moss art without it looking like a smashed salad by the time it arrived or just trying to keep the business afloat while dodging flying toys.

And honestly, the creative side was the easy part. What really tested me were the day-to-day hurdles—carpenters who went MIA, graphic designers who didn’t quite get my vibe, and the constant juggling act of logistics and inventory. These were the moments that stretched me, but they also taught me what it really takes to keep a creative business going.

Learning to Let Go: The Turning Point

By December 2023, I realized I couldn’t keep doing it all on my own. That’s when Jay Tye came on board as our Chief of Biophilic Design. Jay’s arrival was a game-changer. Together, we made a big decision: it was time to focus on what we each did best and start handing off the tasks that were draining our time and energy.

With Jay’s keen design eye and operational know-how, we began to outsource the things that were slowing us down. We brought in Forvis Mazars to take over the books, relieving us of the accounting headaches. We added a dedicated inventory manager to keep our projects on track and avoid those last-minute scrambles. Bob Finely from FLG Partners joined as a fractional CFO, guiding our financial strategy without needing a full-time commitment. And, we welcomed an in-house designer to ensure our brand truly reflects the creativity and spirit we put into every piece.

This shift allowed Jay to hone in on our marketing and design direction, while I could focus on steering the overall growth of the company. Letting go was tough, but it was also incredibly freeing, opening the door to our next big steps.

Embracing Growth: What’s Next?

Today, Austin Moss Creations is at another exciting crossroad. We’re preparing to bring carpentry in-house, which will give us even more control over quality and timelines. We’re also moving into a larger space to accommodate our growing team and ambitions. But more than just having more room, what excites me most is the potential for what we can create and the impact we can make.

Trusting others and letting go of some control was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it’s been so worth it. It’s allowed me to focus on the bigger picture—our vision and direction—instead of getting lost in the day-to-day grind. It’s a reminder that growth means leaning on others, sharing the load, and building a team that shares your passion.

Looking Forward

As we continue to grow, I’m filled with excitement about what’s ahead. There’s always more to learn, but one thing I’ve discovered is that every challenge brings a new opportunity to grow. With this amazing team by my side, I can’t wait to take on new projects, explore innovative designs, and bring our nature-inspired art into even more spaces.

To everyone who’s been part of this journey—thank you. We’re just getting started.

Mary 💚

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