Handmade with Heart Feature
Featured Business
GET TO KNOW...
Sean & Ali Murphy, Owners of
Handmade with Heart Boutique
01. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Ali: I changed my mind so many times growing up. I wanted to be a princess, a mom, a teacher, graphics designer, and fashion designer. Once I became a teenager I really liked the idea of opening my own craft mall. I may not have a mall but I think my cute little shop is even better!
Sean: I wanted to be a lot of things when I was a kid. I wanted to be a fighter pilot, rock star and a writer, but once I became a teenager I became real interested in doing art projects like mail and pen pals. I always imagined that some day I would own my own little store and help support people's creativity.
02. What was your first job?
Ali: Flipping burgers at Braums. I hated it with a passion and used to beg my mom to call me in sick.
Sean: I worked in the mail room at the college for about a month. Then I was an English and psychology tutor.
03. What do you like to do in your free time?
Ali: Create new stuff to sell in the shop! I love that I can work on mobiles or jewelry and actually earn a living doing it!
Sean: I try to read and write as much as possible. Lately I've been getting into more handy crafts such as painting wooden toys and signs.
04. What's the best advice you've ever received?
Ali: When I first started talking about opening the business people had such negative reactions. My best friend told me that anyone reacting that way was jealous because they don't have the courage to live their dream. He said to ignore them and don't let me stop me from living mine.
Sean: Honesty is the best policy and to be true to yourself.
05. How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
Ali: We opened the physical location May 15th of 2010, but we have been selling from craft fairs for over 3 years now. I've always enjoyed creating things and loved taking art classes.
Sean: We had our grand opening on June 1st. Before that I had a lengthy career in retail management.
06. Why do you choose to operate your business in Oklahoma as opposed to somewhere else?
Ali: I've lived in Oklahoma my entire life. I can't imagine living anywhere else. My family loves it here and we want to do all we can to support this local community.
Sean: I have lived in Moore since 1992 and would really like to see more people learn about the cool things Moore, Oklahoma has to offer.
07. Why do you think its important to keep it local?
Ali: We need to support our community and the people we live with and have grown up with. Local businesses offer an alternative to that "cookie cutter" type of store. We have so much more to offer and if we support one another we can make our local businesses into something huge!
Sean: I am a strong believer in supporting local everything. I like local bands. I am encouraged by the great local art scene. Our local spoken word poets are amazing. The more money you put into the local economy the better our local scene is going to be.
08. What locally owned business (other than your own) could you not live without?
Ali: Joe's Addiction in Valleybrook is my favorite local business. They do so much good for their community and are always there willing to help others whenever they can. Another favorite is Bear Makes 3. They are one of the few locally owened craft stores left in our area.
Sean: I like Joe's Addiction in Valleybrook. It is a great little coffee house that is doing great things for that community. I also like Shop Good. I like businesses that pass a little of the good that happens to them onto others.
09. Our Facebook fans want to know: What is it that sets you apart from the national chains and promotes loyal, repeat customers?
Ali: Everything in our shop is handmade by a local Oklahoma artist. We can do custom orders on almost anything you can find in our shop. You get a familiar face behind the counter every time you come into the shop.
Sean: Everything in our store is one of a kind and we try to provide service that way beyond what can be offered by big box chains. We support local artists and the local economy.
10. Our Twitter followers want to know: What drives you to keep doing what you do?
Ali: The love of art and all things handmade. It also doesn't hurt that I get to bring my 3 year old son to work with me every day!
Sean: I hope one day to see the Oklahoma City cultural vacuum to be filled with tiny local shops, lots of local art, music, and poetry events. I really believe in Oklahoma's creativity.
