Small Business Spotlight: Bones and Beans Creative
Finding a small business that actually delivers is harder than it sounds.
I don't mean delivers as in "ships on time"—though Monica does that too. I mean delivers as in cares. About the craft. About the details. About the people she's creating for.
Bones and Beans Creative Studio is that kind of business. And I would know, because Monica is a friend.
Full disclosure: Monica's husband Keith was my manager at Apple years ago. We stayed close. So when Monica started getting serious about her creative business, I had a front-row seat. I've watched her build this thing from an Etsy shop in 2014 to a full-fledged creative studio offering laser engraving, custom embroidery, 3D printing, and—this one caught me off guard—NFC-enabled vendor displays. More on that in a minute.
Over the years, Monica has surprised me with custom pieces as gifts. A Snoopy tumbler. A Jane Goodall tumbler. Most recently, she took a photo of my two puppies—Leia and Yoda—and turned it into a rubber stamp I can use on presents. I didn't give her direction on any of these. She just... got it right. The graphics were sharp, the themes were spot-on, and the quality was exactly what you'd hope for but rarely get.
Eleven Years, Zero Negative Reviews
Monica started selling on Etsy back in 2014. Over the years, she built a track record of over 400 sales with a perfect 5.0 rating across 106 reviews... not a single piece of negative feedback. She's since moved to her own website, but that history says everything about how she runs her business.
Here's what her customers say:
"Monica is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with. Everything I have bought is super high quality and so vibrant... I have bought about 11 tumblers from her and will continue to buy more." — Amanda, Etsy review
Another customer, Stephanie Powell, put it this way on Facebook:
"She cares about everyone and goes above and beyond to make sure you get exactly what you want... Every time I see her at one of the markets she goes to, I always buy another one."
What I keep seeing in these reviews? Monica doesn't just make things—she makes them right. So people come back.
More Than Just Cups
The tagline on her website is "Official Emotional Support Cup Dealer," which, honestly, is perfect branding. But Bones and Beans has grown way beyond tumblers.
She now offers:
Laser engraving on tumblers, water bottles, and custom items
Custom embroidery on sweatshirts and apparel (a recent addition she taught herself)
3D printing for vendor displays and organizational pieces
NFC-enabled displays that let customers tap their phone to instantly connect with a business's social media or website
That last one is the kind of thing you don't expect from a craft business. NFC tech for small vendors? Monica saw a gap and filled it. No QR codes, no fuss, just tap and connect. She's thinking like a tech company while making hand-crafted products. I find that genuinely impressive.
The Part That Doesn't Get Enough Credit
Here's something people might not realize: Monica does all of this while working a full-time corporate job.
She's at markets on Sundays. She's fulfilling orders during the week. She's learning embroidery, posting on TikTok, managing a website. The balance is something else, and it's hard.
When she first started taking social media seriously, she actually asked me for advice. I told her the same thing I tell everyone: consistency is everything. Inconsistency will kill you faster than bad content. She listened. Her TikTok has grown to nearly 3,000 followers with over 5,500 likes. Her Instagram is filled with behind-the-scenes content, new product drops, and genuine moments from her journey.
She shows the work. The learning curve. The wins and the experiments. People invest in businesses like that because they feel like they're part of the story.
Why This Spotlight Matters
I started this series to highlight small businesses doing it right. Bones and Beans fits because Monica embodies what I think makes a small business worth supporting: she cares deeply about quality, she's not afraid to try new things, and every customer actually matters to her. You can tell.
Look at the ratings. Look at the repeat buyers. Look at the rubber stamp of Leia and Yoda sitting on my desk. The work speaks for itself.
If you're looking for custom tumblers, embroidered apparel, or something unique you won't find anywhere else, give Monica a look. She ships anywhere in the U.S., and trust me—she'll get it right.
Find Bones and Beans Creative Studio:
Website:bonesandbeanscreativestudio.com
Instagram:@bonesandbeanscreative
TikTok:@bonesandbeanscreative
