COMMUNITY STORIES: CAITLYN MELTON
I wanted to stay in-state for college, but I also wanted to be close to my family, so when my parents announced that we would be moving to South Carolina after I graduated high school, that’s when I started applying for South Carolina schools.
I ended up committing to the University of South Carolina as a media arts major with a concentration in filmmaking.
I got that trait from my mother. Growing up, my mother would spend her free time scrapbooking, coloring or engaging in another type of art medium and that always stuck with me.
Then I moved to scrapbooking and journaling and then eventually filmmaking as well as opening my first Etsy shop.
I started out selling stickers and decorated vaccination card holders (seeing as COVID-19 vaccines came out around this time), but now I sell stickers, jewelry, homeware and other miscellaneous products!
My dad and I would always watch horror and thriller movies together when I was growing up.
My love for filmmaking started when I was in elementary school. I would write plays and short stories as well as shoot trailers for my own version of a horror movie with my cousins. Then in my Sophomore year of high school, I took my first film class.
I started selling under my business, Caitlyn Creates, in the Fall of 2023.
I learned everything I currently know about running a business from my father. After convincing me that I should try selling my art, he taught me how to price my products, how to create and print labels, how to properly package orders, etc.
I get to be face-to-face with potential customers, which allows me to talk and engage with them, answer any of their questions, see their facial expressions when they see my products and more!
Student-Made has allowed me to connect with other creative students on my campus and given opportunities for me as a business owner that I would not have been able to get anywhere else.
I think I gain new inspiration to create every day.
My business has a wide range of products due to the fact that I can’t just stick to one medium– If I see something that I like and want to make, then I’m going to make it, or try my best to at least.
I’m hoping that as I continue my journey as a Student-Made creator, I’ll be able to learn more about the business world from my fellow creatives as well as my management team.
When I started my first Etsy shop, I may have had the support and help of my family, but I was still nervous and started second-guessing myself, thinking things such as:
I have learned that success looks different for a lot of people.
If you compare yourself to others and their businesses, you won’t be able to properly enjoy the wonders and experience of running a business and making art. I believe every small business owner, no matter how big or small their business is, should be able to discover for themselves.
Submit the form in your Resource Portal to let us know your interest in sharing your journey with our Student-Made community— whether you’re a Creator or Manager! We’ll be in touch with you soon about helping you craft your inspiring story.
