Today we’d like to introduce you to Precious Cesario.
Hi Precious, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember but never really thought it would become a business for me. In 2018, I ruined my fiancé’s cup and it was customized. I went ahead and ordered him a new one but I wanted to know how people made cups! After much research, I took our cups out of the cabinet and started playing around with paint, epoxy, and glitter.
Soon after, I received requests from friends and family. I was asked by a local coffee shop to make cups for them, eventually branching out to making a lot of their retail (drinkware and shirts). I now supply cups for 3 coffee shops a motorcycle shop and an ice cream shop. I hope to expand as I continue to do craft shows and network with other business owners.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not entirely. Pricing and making things fair for myself and my clients, I feel, will always be an issue for every business owner. I realized that I didn’t value my time and wasn’t profiting but my name was getting out there.
Eventually, I realized that epoxy is incredibly expensive and I needed an alternative that fit my art style.
After having my son in 2022, my doctor informed me that handling epoxy can be unsafe for little ones (adults too without proper precautions) and that children will find ways to get into everything. Since then, I’ve stopped (only taking 1 order every few months if requested) and my mom (my biggest supporter) bought me a shirt press and a multi-cup press. I’ve been able to continue creating more affordable products that are fair for me and my clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Though I do have a medical background and am currently going through nursing school, I have a drive for art and business. My specialty is (it’s going to sound odd) elegance meets pop culture when incorporating art into the products I create. I’m quite well known for my cups and for being artistic in general. I’m a lady of many talents but creating is one that I certainly put out for the world to see.
I’m proud of myself and how far I’ve come and to be fair, I think charisma is what puts me out there and sets me apart from everyone else. I connect easily with people and love forming friendships and good bonds with those I connect with. I remember nearly every customer that has purchased from me and exactly what they purchased.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As far as networking goes, you have to talk to people even if you don’t like talking.
I’ve found that a warm smile and introducing myself first have gotten me further than anything I could’ve done in both careers (medical and art). Also, please be yourself. Maintain professionalism but also make sure you are still yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: madebypreshkell.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/madebypreshkell
- Facebook: Facebook.com/madebypreshkell
Image Credits
Sara @thiswhimsyme
