Today we’d like to introduce you to Marquita Ewing.
Hi Marquita, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story began at 19, sitting at a sewing machine, hand-stitching pillow covers simply because I loved it. What started as a hobby quickly turned into something more when friends and family began requesting custom pieces. That’s when Sewly Decor was born—a small side hustle rooted in creativity and comfort.
Over the years, I grew my Etsy shop and built a loyal following on social media. Eventually, I took the leap and launched my own online store. I wanted it to be more than just a place to sell my products, so I opened up space on my site for other small makers to sell their home goods too. That moment marked a turning point. I rebranded to SD + Co., Home Goods and Gifts, and expanded into new territory—candles.
My love for candle making was inspired by my grandmother, who always appreciated the ones I brought her when I visited Dallas. Wanting to give her something safe and toxin-free, I began researching natural alternatives and developed a line of luxe home fragrances. Today, SD + Co. offers soy wood wick candles, wax melts, silk squeeze, room + linen sprays, and foaming hand soaps—all handmade with care.
In 2022, I tried my first pop-up market—Hutto Market Days—and instantly fell in love with the experience. What was supposed to be a one-off became a regular part of my life. By 2023, I retired from my 19-year healthcare career to pursue this full-time. Since then, SD + Co. has been featured in 32 stores nationwide, participated in over 100 markets, and launched franchise kits to help others start their own small businesses.
Along the way, I met Averi Segrest—now my business partner—and together we created Urban Bloom Markets. It’s more than just events; it’s a movement built on community, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We’re proud to carry on the legacy of Hutto Market Days while building spaces that empower other local vendors to shine.
From a single sewing machine to a thriving multi-faceted business, my journey has been shaped by passion, persistence, and a whole lot of heart.
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 at all—it’s been anything but a smooth road, but every bump has shaped the business and the person I’ve become. When I started sewing pillow covers at 19, I had no idea what it meant to actually run a business. I made a lot of mistakes early on—pricing too low, not knowing how to manage inventory, trying to do everything on my own. There were times I wondered if it was really worth it.
Transitioning from a hobby to a full-fledged brand was a learning curve. I had to teach myself everything from web design to product photography to the ins and outs of shipping logistics. And when I started offering other makers a space on my platform, I felt the weight of carrying not just my own business, but being part of someone else’s dream too.
The biggest turning point came when I decided to pursue candle making. Creating safe, high-quality, toxin-free products took months of testing and trial-and-error. And while I was passionate about it, it was still a financial and emotional risk to shift focus.
Leaving an 19-year career in healthcare in 2023 was another leap of faith. Walking away from stability to go all-in on my dream was both empowering and terrifying.
But through it all, the mission stayed the same—create beautiful, intentional products that people love and feel good about using, and build a community around that vision. The struggles were real, but they’ve also been the most valuable part of the journey. They taught me resilience, flexibility, and the power of staying true to your why.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At SD + Co., we specialize in toxin-free luxe home fragrance products that are thoughtfully crafted to elevate everyday living. Our product line includes wood wick soy candles that crackle like a cozy fireplace, wax melts, room + linen sprays, silk squeeze fresheners, and foaming hand soaps—all made with high-quality, clean ingredients. What began as a small hobby of sewing pillow covers has blossomed into a home goods and gifts brand rooted in intentional living, elegance, and wellness.
I’m incredibly proud of the care that goes into every product we make. Each item is handcrafted in small batches to ensure quality and consistency, and everything is made with both beauty and safety in mind. Our candles are a customer favorite—not only because of how they look and smell, but because they’re made without toxins, phthalates, or harmful additives. It’s peace of mind and a little everyday luxury, all in one.
What sets SD + Co. apart is our commitment to transparency, community, and thoughtful design. We don’t just sell products—we create experiences that invite calm, joy, and warmth into your home. And beyond our product line, we also empower others to step into entrepreneurship through our franchise market kits, which help aspiring small business owners get started with their own vending journey.
Another point of pride is the community we’ve built through markets. With Urban Bloom Markets—our latest venture co-founded with Averi Segrest—we’re creating inclusive, intentional spaces for local makers and small businesses to thrive. Every event we host is about more than just shopping; it’s about connection, support, and celebrating creativity.
At the end of the day, I’m most proud of how this business reflects both where I’ve come from and where I’m going. It’s built on passion, purpose, and a whole lot of heart.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success isn’t just about numbers or sales—it’s about impact, alignment, and fulfillment. I define success as waking up every day excited to do what I love, creating products that bring comfort and joy to others, and building a brand that stands for something meaningful. It’s about the freedom to express my creativity, the ability to support and uplift other small businesses, and the opportunity to turn a passion into a purpose-driven legacy.
Success also looks like being present—whether that’s connecting with customers at a market, mentoring someone just starting out, or making memories with my family. It’s knowing that I’m walking in my purpose, honoring where I came from, and building something that reflects my values. For me, that’s everything.
Pricing:
- 13 oz. Luxe Soy Candles $35
- Silk Squeeze $20
- Room + Linen Spray $15
- Wax Melts $12
- Foamin Hand Soaps $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sewlydecor.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sewlydecor
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sewlydecor
