Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Bobbitt.
Hi Alexandra; thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
My shop, Soul Feat, began with a combination of many elements. After a long break, I overcame my fear of sharing my drawing gift and combined it with various business ideas. A few years ago, I had rediscovered my creative side after finding my notebook with unfinished drawings. A friend had made fun of my art a few years ago, so I had stopped. But I decided to reignite my passion for art, which eventually led to the opening of my fun and quirky gift and card boutique. Now, I hand-draw everything and put the designs on all sorts of items, such as greeting cards, bamboo socks and shirts, stickers, and more. I also do custom work, like commemorative pet portraits, personalized cards, and custom-designed T-shirts. My goal is to bring soul and creativity into every gift.
I love animals, especially dogs, which is why they feature in most of my items. They’re so pure and innocent, always making me smile. But I couldn’t find a sticker that resembled my dogs, so I was inspired to start drawing animals. My friends and family said I had a talent for capturing my pet’s personality. But I was scared of the judgment and public display that would come with sharing my doodles, so I kept it as a hobby for a while.
Then, my beloved dog Vanity passed away unexpectedly. I was heartbroken, but I found comfort in creating a fundraiser in her memory. I hadn’t expected much, but the response was overwhelming. It made me realize how powerful art can be and how it can bring joy and happiness to people’s lives. I also saw that art could be a great way to raise funds for other causes. This was the beginning of Soul Feat.
I originally wanted to create socks. I couldn’t find any cute, comfy, ankle-height, sustainable, and eco-friendly socks without using polyester (aka plastic). So, I finally decided to take the risk and make my own. Bamboo socks were launched with moderate success for such a small shop and the response was inspiring. I was thrilled to offer customers a unique and earth-positive option for their soles (pun intended, please insert eye roll here).
With this success, I have ambitious plans for the future of the shop. I want to release new socks every quarter and create a sock club with options of 1-2 socks per quarter. This year, I plan to grow the selection of fun, earth-friendly items and expand our customer base. However, I may only be able to release 2 more socks this year. But this will lead to even more success for our shop and help us make a positive difference.
Soul Feat was born out of a need to overcome the voices in my head that said I couldn’t do it. This business is here to prove those voices wrong. This shop is an achievement and a great feat of the soul. An accomplishment of the soul is no easy feat, but it is worth every step it takes to get there. Soul Feat is a reminder that you can do it, whether the voices are in your head or coming from someone near you.
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?
It has been quite a learning curve opening a small business alone. I have some knowledge from working in customer-oriented industries, but when it comes to running and operating a small business, it has been a steep learning curve. As a small business owner, you have to wear many hats, from illustrator and marketer to IT and website manager and designer, financial planner and back, material source and purchaser, as well as the ever so fun and challenging role of the social media manager. It is a lot of responsibility to take on, but it can be gratifying with a bit of hard work and dedication. I am still learning a lot and enjoy doing so. Overcoming the fear of putting my work out there was the hardest part. I wondered whether it would be successful if people liked it and if it would sell. Once I overcame that mental hurdle, it was like a floodgate of creativity and a desire to try more things. I also had to consider the financial investment; if I had fewer financial constraints, who knows what I’d be capable of! Haha.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
Soul Feat is a fun and quirky gift and card boutique in Austin, Texas. All items are hand-drawn with attention to detail. I create meaningful gifts that will make a lasting impression. My unique items include quirky greeting cards, cute bamboo socks and shirts, sassy stickers, and more. I strive to provide sustainable and fun gifts for all occasions. Whether for yourself, a loved one, or a special event, Soul Feat has something for everyone. For those looking for something unique and personal, I offer custom illustrated designs such as pet portraits, including my specialty of wildflower seeded memorial cards, custom-designed stickers, personalized cards, T-shirts, and more for any business or occasion. At Soul Feat, we are passionate about creating eco-conscious, ethical, fun, unique, and inspiring products. We strive to create beautiful things without exploiting nature or people. We are committed to fun, sustainability, kindness, giving back, and integrity. We take our work seriously but also add a dash of fun and humor.
We are deeply committed to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting eco-friendly and sustainable practices. Our manufacturers are carefully researched for their sustainability and sourcing practices, and when possible, the materials we use in our products are sourced sustainably. Additionally, all of our packagings is recyclable or compostable. We also offset carbon emissions from each shipment and give the option to plant a tree with each purchase, a small but meaningful gesture to help restore the environment. We believe in being kind and respectful towards others, showing compassion to all living creatures, and creating an inclusive and safe space for everyone. To that end, we donate 20% of our profits from each purchase to a dog sanctuary and reinvest into the earth, our local communities, and causes we care deeply about.
Furthermore, we are highly transparent about our material sourcing, product manufacturing processes, and where your money is going. This includes ensuring that all of our service providers share the same values. We are proud to partner with an environmentally-friendly bank and partner with organizations that align with our values and goals. Even as small businesses, we can make a meaningful impact on the earth and its people. Our products are designed to inspire and motivate you to forge your path, do good, and have some fun along the way. Staying true to your soul is the most rewarding feat of all. And we hope that by being good humans, doing good for the planet, and giving back to our community, we can make the world a little bit brighter.
What characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to if you had to?
Making sustainable items fun. Shopping responsibly for this earth doesn’t have to mean sacrificing fun. We create sustainable items that are enjoyable.
Pricing:
- Bamboo Socks $9.75-13.75
- Sustainable Cards $4-4.50
- T-shirts – $28
- Stickers Range from $2-4.5
- Custom Art and Pet Portraits $75+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mysoulfeat.com
- Instagram: mysoulfeat
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysoulfeat
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@mysoulfeat
