Merry May’s Beginnings
Embarking on the journey of entrepreneurship often begins with a spark of creativity and a passion for crafting or curating unique items. Hi! I’m Megan Russell, owner of Merry May—an online boutique featuring colorful and curated goods for your holidays and all of the days in between. My journey to business owner has been ever-evolving, and I wanted to share with you where that journey began and how it’s going.
From Etsy Enthusiast to Boutique Owner
After graduating with a BA in Studio Art in 2008, I opened up my first Etsy shop (MGN Designs). In my hobby era, I showcased my talent for creating art prints, earrings, greeting cards, and offering custom orders to cater to individual preferences. Over the years, my products expanded to anything from commissioned paintings, metal signs, printed calendars, and apparel. Today, MGN Designs still exists showcasing print on demand apparel as well as in-house heat-pressed apparel, digital SVG and PNG files, and an array of home and living items.
In 2022 after the birth of my second child, I started a second Etsy shop for holiday-themed items (Merry May). I wanted a separate niche shop that I could post holiday-related items as my other Etsy shop was getting more sales in general apparel, but I wanted to increase my ability for better searches on holiday items. Figuring they might just get lost in my other shop’s inventory, I created my second shop! Today, Merry May’s Etsy shop has anything from apparel to home goods to digital files celebrating all kinds of holidays. While the shop is morphing to include some of our year-round inventory, it largely showcases collections based on specific holidays.
Expanding Horizons: The Birth of Merry May on Shopify
With a growing customer base and an expanding product line, I envisioned a platform that could fully encapsulate my creative aspirations. This vision materialized as Merry May, an online boutique offering a curated selection of apparel, accessories, drinkware, home décor, and stationery. I wanted the flexibility to create holiday collections as well as have year-round items based on patterns and prints that I love. Each item reflects my artistic flair and commitment to providing unique, high-quality products that bring joy to my customers’ lives.
I opened Merry May through Shopify in November 2024. It was wayyyyy too close to the holiday season, but when you have the vision and the drive sometimes you just have to say “Go!”.
A Personal Touch: My Artistic Journey
Residing in the Pacific Northwest, I draw inspiration from the natural beauty and vibrant culture of the region. My designs often feature whimsical elements and intricate details, and often feature curated color palettes.
I often get asked about the name “Merry May” and what inspired my holiday-themed store. My nostalgic reason for wanting to create holiday-inspired designs and for honing my creative talents in the first place is simple—my mother. I had a mother that had a knack for making holidays (and most days) a special time—from music and crafts to books and activities—she always made sure had a love of making days special and our time special together. That has continued with me into adulthood as I now have children of my own, and in wanting to create those same experiential memories that I hold so dear in my mind.
My entire journey as an artist was in large part supported and fast-tracked by my mother. As a doodling 3rd grader, my mother noticed my many drawings and doodles on basically any paper I had and signed me up for art classes taught by a local artist. That led me on my journey to honing my basic skills as an artist, experimenting with different mediums, and each year grew my love of art and design until it became my major of choice in college.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Merry May
As Merry May continues to grow, I remain dedicated to expanding my inventory and reaching a broader audience. My commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction remains unwavering and, like many small businesses, is a staple and experience I am able to control unlike big box or online retailers. I want to ensure that each product and order from Merry May is crafted with care and delivered to an eager and awaiting customer.
My journey from an Etsy shop owner to the proprietor of an online boutique is not necessarily a unique one, but does show what vision, creativity, and drive can accomplish.
Where Can I Find More
For a closer look at my creative process and the latest offerings from Merry May, you can always follow me or engage with my content on social media:
I post a variety of product photos and videos, new collection releases, process videos, and more. Check it out!