Quintons Crafthouse

Interview with Suzie Quinton, Quintons Crafthouse

Please introduce yourself

Suzie Quinton with Quintons Crafthouse

Take us back to where this all started! What do you create?

My first laser projects were home decor items such as basic signs, ornaments, cutting boards, etc. I remember the thrill of cutting my first 1" circle!

Tell us about your business and how it has evolved into what it is today.

Quintons Crafthouse has evolved remarkably over the past six years, starting from crafting foam graduation caps for patients transitioning out of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from major hospitals nearby to acquiring a Cricut that produced shirts and home décor. Fast forward to owning two Aeon lasers, allowing them to move from their basement to a spacious 7,000 square foot storefront on Main Street in Collinsville, IL.

What were you doing before you had your laser?

I was a stay-at-home mom running a growing craft business with my Cricut. I mostly made NICU graduation caps, shirts and home decor.

What inspired you to get a laser?

I was exploring what new ideas to craft next and I began seeing a lot of cool projects that were made with a laser. I had zero knowledge about them, so like everyone else I turned to Facebook. There wasn't much information at that time but I did find one group "That Mom with a Laser," that I believe had around 2,000 followers. I reached out to Emily to get more information and we discussed all my concerns and the potential they offer to grow my business. After a lot of discussions and research, me and my husband decided to take a leap of faith and ordered the Mira 9, which arrived in February 2021 and by September 2022, we purchased a Mira 7.

In what ways has your business grown, or changed since getting a laser?

I quickly outgrew our basement and began searching for a storefront. After a year and a half of searching, we found a location on Main Street in our hometown. The space was larger than we planned, but the rewards were larger as well so we adjusted our business strategy to include not just my laser company but also to provide a space for fellow makers to showcase their talents, host parties, classes, events, fundraisers and more. On June 1st, we opened our doors with 50 makers, and by September, we have over 70 makers with a handful being laser owners.

How has your life changed since getting a laser?

Our lives are busier than ever, yet the rewards are greater. Not only have we experienced positive changes ourselves, but with the store, we are now able to enhance the lives of numerous local makers and our community! It fills our hearts with joy that each month, we contribute to providing many local households with an additional source of income.

What advice do you have for people interested in getting a laser?

Compile Your Concerns and Tackle Them. Here were my primary concerns and how I addressed them:

😥 I don’t know anything about lasers.

Response: Find a supportive community. "That Mom with a Laser" taught me everything I needed to know and gave me reassurance knowing they are there to help.

😥 What if it requires maintenance, or worse, what if I break it?

Response: Investigate the customer service reputation of the brand you’re considering. Aeon, for example, has outstanding reviews. I’ve reached out to them several times, and each experience has exceeded my expectations. After all these years and their impressive growth, I’ve never felt like just a number.

😥 It’s a significant investment for something I’ve never done before and don’t know how to operate.

Response: Yes, it is an investment, but it has the potential to pay for itself and more! Use the time between placing your order and its arrival to learn the machine and functions and plan some projects.

😥 It’s intimidating.

Response: The unknown often is. Identify what frightens you and embrace the learning process. The more you confront them, the more they transform into excitement.

Then you get the email that the laser will be in your driveway tomorrow and you'll get all the feels at once. 🙂

Looking back, tell us about your significant turning point, or perhaps even an obstacle you had to overcome to get where you are now.

A significant turning point for me occurred when I secured a deal with a marketing agency in Beverly Hills, California. They discovered my work on Etsy and ordered wooden crates featuring the latest Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty line. These crates were utilized as swag bags during promotional events. This gave me a boost of confidence that if "little ole me, working in the basement of her house in the Mid-West" was worth seeing to someone in California than I should start seeing her potential too.

What is your superpower?

Not listening to myself! Not believing what I tell myself! Self doubt can stop you from doing incredible things. There have been many times I've doubted my actions and plans. Had I listened to myself or believed my doubts, I would have two large laser paper weights in my basement.

Where can people find you?

🏚 Collinsville, IL
www.QuintonsCrafthouse.com