Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Welckle.
Hi Michelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2022 we moved to Missouri for my husband’s job, at that point I had done a lot of photography in MN but didn’t know if I wanted to start that back up in Missouri. I had a Cricut for many years and owned an in-home childcare from 2013-2021, so crafting and working with people was a large part of my life. My husband wanted a laser and we got him one right after we moved and jumped quickly into ornaments, decor and tumblers. Shortly after the new year in 2023 we decided to sell my camera set-up and I purchased a higher end dye sublimation printer. I had not planned to get into sublimating tumblers because the market was “saturated”, however we found that we really enjoyed it and that we tended to have a different design selection than most of the other vendors at events. They continue to be one of our biggest sellers!
My daughter and I enjoyed walking around the local malls in the St. Louis area – specifically West County and Mid Rivers, they were closest to us in Wentzville! We visited many stores that were a similar structure as this one and were in talks with putting our product in their stores…but then in 2024 we moved back to MN!
We also had another fantastic small business in St. Louis, Vinyl Fun, which offered many unique craft and business supplies and services you couldn’t get easily other places!
In August 2024 we moved back to MN and the morning after we moved back I was set up at a Shop the Lot event in New Ulm! Since we moved back in the 2nd half of the year, I was concerned that getting into events would be trickier! We also got into the mall for 3 or 4 weekends during the 2024 holiday season, which we truly enjoyed!
Early 2025 we decided to do the spring show at the mall, I got my products into a similar type of shop in New Ulm and it was a lot of fun chatting about ideas with the gals that were running it! I knew a space for my plans would be harder to find in New Ulm, so I reached out to Corrie at the River Hills Mall! I worked retail in the mall probably 20 years ago and Corrie was here then as well! I met with her and discussed my business plan and she loved it! They wanted to get a business like this into the mall!
From there we checked out open spaces, posted on social media to gage interest and collect emails of those that would like to apply once open. Once the lease was signed, we opened up applications, started meeting vendors, joined the chamber and got to work!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With nearly 40 small businesses under one roof, we are bound to have some challenges. Marketing and social media are such an important part of small business. Keeping up with online messages and getting all of our vendor’s wonderful products showcased can be a full time job in itself.
I think all of us have preferred methods of displaying and talking about our products. All of us have our best sellers. Learning from our vendors about their best sellers and how they sell them has been a welcome challenge.
Another challenge for some has been adapting to a retail environment from a craft show environment. At a craft show you may not know the next time you will see a certain vendor and that can drive sales. Being in our store customers know where they can find them and while that may have an effect on urgency I believe it provides the bigger benefit of driving repeat customer sales. You adapt form looking at a 3 day selling cycle to a 30 day selling cycle,
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Midwest Makers Mercantile?
Midwest Makers Mercantile is a locally owned and operated business that offers in-house customization and rents space to small businesses that want to offer their products here and we promote on our social media for all the businesses throughout the month.
I have my maker business in store as well, MW Rose Customs, which is how we can offer laser engraving and dye sublimation to make customization in-house available to our customers. Many of the small businesses that we have in store will also take custom orders! We chose Midwest Makers because the Midwest is HOME for us, the 2.5 years in Missouri was short, but we have forever friends there now. We visit there often and they come here as well. One thing is for sure, every small business in here is from MN or has ties to MN! Midwest Makers Mercantile because the long term goal for the store is to continue to offer unique
What sets us apart is the customization on site, variety of products, and there is something for everyone! Not just a gift store!
We engrave jewelry, tumblers, keychains and more in house! We have apparel from vintage upcycled sweatshirts and flannels, sassy, trendy t-shirts, and lots of MN themed items of course! We have freshies, skin care, plushies and other crochet creations, blind date with a book, reusable towels, handcrafted pottery, coasters, 3D printed fidgets, toys and more! We also have authentic Mexican made leather brought in by La Plaza Fiesta, an amazing family owned Mexican restaurant in Madelia, MN! We have so much talent in this store, it wows me every day and I can’t believe this is my reality!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, my family! My husband, Paul and all three of our children are such an important piece! Our youngest is 15 and works regularly at the store now! My husband has a full-time job outside the store but spends his evenings and weekends with me (when he isn’t at the BMX track where he is the Co Track Operator with our son). My mom helps us out a lot as well and loves sharing about the store with her friends!
Several of my friends have been huge supporters as well! Most of them have been in here checking things out and my friend Mandy helps out a lot with the marketing within the store and feedback when I ask for it regarding social media! Corrie and Robyn here at the mall have been very supportive and excited about the store! Our neighbors here in the mall have been awesome as well! There are many small businesses within the mall…it’s not just big chain stores!
Last but not least…the small business owners that choose to offer their products in our store month over month. Supportive, responsive and helpful! When we have an idea to do a marketing promotion such as a gift basket, they all wanted to help fill the baskets! This is amazing and the community support has been phenomenal!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.midwestmakersmercantile.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestmakersmercantilellc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestmakersmercantilellc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108412893/admin/dashboard/
