Artisan Spotlight: Moms Leading Small Businesses
Entrepreneurship is challenging. Owning a small business is difficult. Crafting products that are high-quality and one-of-a-kind isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Doing all of this while being a mom? You would think is impossible but these individuals are showing that you can own and run a small business, craft amazing products, and hold the title of “superwoman.” Oops, we mean “Mom.” The following artisans are just a few of the strong women dedicated to running their small businesses, crafting some of the best products Georgia has to offer, and being amazing mothers.
Margaret Amos, Southern Straws
Margaret Amos is the co-owner of Southern Straws and mother to her three boys, Neal, Troy, and Daniel. Growing up, Neal and his younger brothers would watch their mother make thousands of cheese straws for friends during the holidays. In 2014, Margaret and her son, Neal turned their hobby into a business when they launched Southern Straws. The foundation for their delicious cheese straws is an old recipe Margaret got from her mother. Their unique bite-size shape makes them perfect for salads, soups, chili, even grits! Southern Straws offers three flavors of cheese straws including: Original, their most popular flavor with a nice kick of spice; Spicy, for those who like a little more heat; and Mild, no heat but focused on the rich cheddar flavor.
Carla Foster, Carson Bryce Trading Company
Carla Foster is the owner of Carson Bryce Trading Company. Not only does she craft some of the highest-quality small-batch products that will help you relax and unwind but she’s also a loving mother to her son, Chance. Carson Bryce Trading Company was created in honor of Carla’s son who passed away at only 30 days old. Through her grief, she felt God telling her to create and craft which led her to start her business and name it after her late son, Carson Bryce. Her Atlanta's Finest White Peach Vanilla soap is one of the first products we ever carried at Georgia Crafted and it smells absolutely divine.
Susan & Laura Stachler, Susansnaps Ginger Snaps
A powerful mother-daughter duo, Laura and Susan own Susansnaps – the only gourmet gingersnap cookie company. Susansnaps are a labor of love that were developed after Laura watched her husband and daughter, Susan undergo chemo within the same year. Ginger is a natural stomach soother and cookies always have a way to bring smiles. Through Laura’s small baking company, she created the ultimate gingersnap recipe. As the cookies were becoming popular, Laura coined them “Susansnaps” in memory of her sister, Sue (who died from Hodgkin’s) and in honor of her daughter (who beat Hodgkin’s at 22). Today, Susan & Laura work side-by-side running Susansnaps and their delicious gingersnaps warrant a smile at first bite.
Suzy Neal, Unicoi Preserves
When we say “moms,” dog moms count too! Suzy Neal is co-owner of Unicoi Preserves in Sautee-Nacoochee and is a mom to her Brittany Spaniel, Annie. Suzy and her husband, Clark, founded Unicoi Preserves out of a desire to produce products from ingredients they could source locally from their Georgia mountain region. With flavors ranging from Cherry Key Lime to Strawberry Vanilla or Salted Caramel Peach, you can’t go wrong with any of their delicious spreads!
We are proud to share a little about these strong women who are just a few of the many female artisans we have who are leading their small businesses and being great moms.