Sewing Artist Spreads Sunshine as Business Owner and Down syndrome Self-Advocate

Trista Kutcher is the founder and CEO of Trista’s Sunshine Company - where she sews many different products in order to spread happiness and inspire others to "be someone's sunshine." She sews several varieties and sizes of bags, baby items, pet items, accessories, and home decor items. Her items can be found at www.tristasunco.com or on her company Instagram @TristaSunshineCompany. You can also follow along with her personal Instagram @TristatheBarista with 50,000+ others for daily joy, happiness, and Down syndrome self-advocacy.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I am a native of Charleston, South Carolina where I grew up working hard to make my dreams come true. I'm a Special Olympics two-time gold medalist in gymnastics, an Instagram influencer, and founder and CEO of my own Company called Trista's Sunshine Company. I started sewing in 2019 and now I sew all types and sizes of bags, zipper pouches, baby items, dog bandanas, lavender sachets, reusable gift bags, and a whole lot more. Having my own company is a lot of fun!

What inspired you to start your business?

A couple of years ago I was at my public library and there was a room with sewing machines in it. I thought it was so cool. It made me think of how my Grammy was really good at sewing and it made me think of my friend Craig Conover from Bravo's Southern Charm show. He sews pillows. So, I got an amazing idea that I should learn to sew and start and start my own company.

Where is your business based?

My business is based in Charleston, South Carolina. It is an amazing place to live and I love to use South Carolina, Charleston, and Rainbow Row fabrics in my sewing! 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

After I decided to start my own company, I met with a lot of people who helped me get everything ready to go. I have an amazing sewing teacher, a really smart lawyer, and a wonderful accountant. They all helped me get the ball rolling to have my very own LLC.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Before I decided to start my own company, I worked at a coffee shop in Charleston. I love to make people happy, so in my free time, I would write little happy notes and give them to all my customers the next day I worked. When I was doing this Cam and Miss Patricia from the Bravo Network TV show Southern Charm found my @TristatheBarista Instagram and shared it. So many people started following me. I was in complete SHOCK! Because they shared about me people from all over the world started following me. Today I have more than 50,000 followers and they give me support when I quit my job and started my own company. I am so lucky to have such amazing followers and all my Southern Charm friends.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

It is not always easy to own a company. Sometimes I sew for so many hours my fingers hurt, but I love to spread happiness and so I keep working hard. I learned how to stick with challenges because I was an athlete growing up. I learned all about working hard to make my dreams come true. Did you know I won 2 gold medals for gymnastics at the Special Olympics World Games in Dublin, Ireland in 2003 when I was 13? That taught me that I can do whatever I work hard at. 

How do you stay focused?

When I am sewing, I get in the zone! I love to listen to music and really focus on my sewing. I love to think about who will use the tote bag, zipper pouch, or baby burp cloth I am sewing. That helps me to remember the customer and make something very special for them!

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

My favorite thing about my company is to spread happiness. Even when I was a very little girl my mom said I always found ways to brighten people's days. The most important thing I want my customers and Instagram followers to remember is the "be someone's sunshine" and spread happiness to others!

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

I think it is really helpful for customers when I show them in a video all about my product. One time I packed up thing after thing after thing into one of my Carry~Y'all's bags to show customers that it is such a big bag and really does carry it all.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

If you want to start a new company, you should go for it! It is amazing to be your own boss. Find people to help you and support you. You got this. Don't give up and just have fun with it! 

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite book is a book I wrote with my friend. There is not an agent or publisher for our book (...yet!), but it is so special and it is a book about friendship. I also like to play a game on my phone called match 3D. I have a competition with my sisters to see who can beat the most levels.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I love Instagram. I remember when I was working hard to reach 100 followers when I was sharing happy notes with customers at the coffee shop and now to have more than 50k+ is amazing! Everyone is so supportive and I just love my followers so much. I want to make them happy and inspire them to bring sunshine to others. I would not be where I am today without all the amazing love and support from my followers!

Who is your business role model? Why?

It is a lot of work to own a company. I am so lucky to have an amazing fellow boss babe and mentor named Cindy Eckert to look up to. She is a super smart business woman and I learn so much from her. Not to mention, we both LOVE pink! She inspires me to make my company better and better!

How do you balance work and life?

I like to work hard when I need to and take breaks when I need to refresh and work on the next big things for my company. After the 2021 holiday season, I closed my website to sew new things and take a family vacation. I rested and recharged and now I am ready to take on 2022 with my Sunshine Company! 

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I like to relax, listen to ocean sounds, and take walks. 

What do you have planned for the next six months?

In 2021 my products spread sunshine to 15 different states so for 2022 I made a goal to ship to 30 different states. It is a big challenge but it is so exciting! I have a map next to my shipping station to keep track of all the states I ship to. Wouldn't it be awesome if there was a dog in Alaska who was wearing a Trista’s Sunshine Company dog bandana or a family in Hawaii using my Carry~y'all's bag when they go to the beach?

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can follow me on Instagram @TristatheBarista and @TristaSunshineCompany, Facebook at Trista the Barista, my website at www.tristasunco.com, or email me at info@tristasunco.com