Glowforge Creator Spotlight: Olivia Pecina from Oak Sparrow Design Shop
This week we have a really special article: an interview with Olivia Pecina from Oak Sparrow Design Shop.
Olivia has been such a supportive business friend this past year, and when she recently sold over 50 rattan-inspired wall hangings in just one week from a file she found in the Resources Vault, I knew I had to feature her here so you could all meet this Glowforge superstar.
Look at her beautiful family!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your business.
We are a family-owned business located in East Texas. My husband Oscar works for a non-profit. He also helps small churches set up budgets and organize their accounting.
I am Olivia—the mom of two beautiful boys. I quit my so-loved job in the banking world in May of 2020 to become a stay at home mom.
This is by far the most exhausting, crazy and rewarding job I’ve ever had, and I love it.
In September of 2020 with an almost 2 year old and a 4 month old, we decided to open a shop.
The oak tree represents strength, morale, resistance, and wisdom. It grows slowly but at its own rate, into a towering strength.
In Luke Chapter 12 we see these two verses: “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” This verse is the daily reminder of our value, and this is how we came up with our name Oak Sparrow Design Shop. We believe that God will continue to lead us in whatever direction we need to go, and we will continue to follow it.
Which Glowforge do you have? Knowing what you know now, would you choose the same one again?
I have a Glowforge Basic, the most affordable machine Glowforge offers.
Comparing it to other Glowforge machines, I believe it was the best decision.
The only con is not being able to cut oversize items. However, there are several workarounds to cutting larger items.
We plan to upgrade to a more industrial, larger laser within the next year, but we would not be able to be where we are without a Glowforge.
How did you get started in the Glowforge world?
After the birth of my youngest son, I started crafting again and trying to occupy myself with something.
I started seeing ads, and after a lot of thinking we finally took the plunge without a business plan or any ideas.
What are your favorite materials to work with and products to make?
I love working with birch and mirrored acrylic.
Birth announcements and signs are my favorite—they create important and sentimental items for the new parents.
What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?
Taxes! Goodness, I have to constantly remind myself that I need to save, scan, and report my receipts!
I love math, but I hate keeping track of my expenses.
What has been your biggest success in business so far?
Getting out of my comfort zone. I’ve always been an introvert, and I was always embarrassed by the “what would they say” thoughts.
I had to put myself out there, and my confidence in my work has grown so much.
What advice would you give to those considering starting a Glowforge-based business?
Have a plan.
Write down all your ideas: for creating, for promotions, for social media, for your marketing, everything!
Open a bank account, and get your business registered.
Keep your own finances separate from the business, it will be much easier to see how your business is doing.
If you combine your personal and your business finances, you may get confused and it may feel like you’re just spending money on your business, and not making any money for yourself!
What’s next for your business—what do you hope it looks like a year from now?
I’m about to outgrow my home office!
We will be remodeling our garage to make space for all of our machines and supplies!
A year ago, I had no idea I would be where I am right now. I was a couple weeks from quitting my day job to become a stay at home mom.
We had no plans or goals. A year from now, our goal is to put a down payment for land for our forever home, where we will build the house of our dreams.
Thanks so much, Olivia!
I know you’ll find Olivia’s story as inspiring as I did—she’s a gem!
Go check out her shop, Oak Sparrow Design Shop.
