How a mom of 2 turned her hobby into a 5-figure crafting business—and her top tips

When Briana Zion was buying>At first, crafting 'was my stress relief'

Before the pandemic, Zion primarily used her skills to make gifts for her friends and family. When she went>Harnessing social media, word of mouth

Zion belongs to a shoe customization Facebook group with fellow side hustler Megg Riley, whose business hand-stitching shoes brought in more than $24,000 in its first 18 months.

As Zion got more involved in customizing shirts, Riley suggested she start selling them. "I would sell them in auction groups, and people [who didn't win] would say, 'I want this anyway' and I would end up selling them a sweatshirt and three shirts," she says. 

Zion originally sold her pieces at around $15-$18 for a basic T-shirt, earning her a mild profit. The Facebook shoe groups are her biggest market. "They have small business days where you can promote your business, and I've made a lot of friends. It's word of mouth at this point."

A pandemic layoff, and a pivot

Zion's love of crafting helped her bounce back when, at the height of the pandemic, she was laid off from her role as the assistant to the CEO of a nonprofit. After the family relocated from New York City to Florida to be closer to family, Zion was able to start building her business, selling a wider variety of items and more of them.

Her first big order came in from her brother's plastic surgery practice, where he is known as Dr. Miami. The practice placed an initial order for 200 pieces, and she now has a standing order with them for 400 pieces every month. More individual customers started placing bigger orders, too, sometimes for 15 to 20 items each.

Addicted to Customs T-shirt.Photo by Briana Zion

Zion now charges $22 for a basic T-shirt, $12 for a standard tote, and $35 for a more luxurious tote with pleather, a larger size, a snap, and a pocket. Hoodies go for $35, and crewneck sweatshirts are $30. This fall she started offering the tie-dyed look of bleached items, available at $50 for a crewneck sweatshirt and $55 for a hoodie.

She has continued to give back by donating her products to charity auctions. "People have done a lot for me over the years and I want to be able to do the same for others," says Zion. "That's really where I try to promote, is by showing that I'm human just like everyone and not just in it for the profit."

They have small business days where you can promote your business, and I've made a lot of friends. It's word of mouth this point.Briana ZionFounder, Addicted to Customs

'I thrive>'I'm constantly trying to diversify and grow and learn'

Zion participates in chat groups for Cricut and sublimation, and she learns by watching YouTube videos too. "I think, 'I want to do that, I can do that,'" she says. "I'm constantly trying to diversify and grow and learn new things for my business." 

Her husband updated her Cricut in 2020 for an anniversary gift and got her a sublimation printer, which produces a brighter, more vivid image.

They're getting to create their item from scratch instead of buying something already made.Briana ZionFounder, Addicted to Customs

Her next equipment goal: a white toner printer. "Sublimation is limited to light-colored poly shirts, so I would love to be able to offer my own screen prints," which will expand the colors and materials she can work with.

Addicted to Customs has allowed Zion to work from home and spend time with her children. Before the pandemic, "I was working 40-plus hours a week commuting in and out of Manhattan," she says. "So this allows me to be with my kids and do something I absolutely love doing. It really is my happy place."