ASHLAND – The Grape Peony, an online Etsy shop, has grown since its inception in 2019 despite a year of incertitude.
Ashley Gray, owner, started her own business after losing her job at the American Cancer Society in December 2019. Her small Etsy shop served as just a small gig at the time, but with nothing else to lose, she decided to turn it into her full-time job.
“This was something that I just did when I had time to do it,” Gray said. “I really didn’t expect much to come of it, honestly. I did it in my spare time, and it just grew and grew and grew, and it’s actually been a huge blessing.”
Gray entered the wedding industry and launched her shop in 2020. Customers can find an array of wedding gifts and favors such as personalized photo frames, ceramic mugs, guest books and more.
Although starting a wedding service in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t ideal, Gray had an awakening after losing her previous job. She loved the fact that with Etsy she could work remotely, which in 2020 was the pinnacle of remote work.
“I really looked at everything going on with my life,” Gray said. “Here I was with this amazing job, making a lot of money, and you lose it in the blink of an eye because of something you can’t control. So I was very fortunate that I had this to kind of lean on.”
This year, Gray’s projecting three times more than they did last year as more pandemic restrictions begin to lift and weddings are held. As that happens, Gray’s begun to expand her business by launching her custom robe collection for bridal parties. She’ll also be attending a trade show in Cleveland this month.
In addition, Gray officially hired her first employee, administrative assistant Tabitha Condren, who lost her job before the pandemic in January 2020. Condren helps with portraits, designing and printing favors and customizing robes.
“I did not foresee me losing that job, but I think everything happens for a reason, and I’m glad I did now because now I have (Gray) and we’re doing this, which makes us happy. We’re both very lucky,” Condren said.
Up until February, Condren was at home with her three children. She knew she needed to get back out into the working world so that she could provide for them.
Condren and Gray shared in that pain of being unemployed mothers and it allowed their partnership and friendship to blossom. It’s also allowed Condren to come into her own in terms of being a creator. She initially came to Gray about launching a robe line.
“We were helping each other get back on our feet, for sure. I mean, she’s not just my boss, she’s my friend,” Condren said. “I feel like we’ve bonded and gotten so much closer this past month between hard work and just life experiences. I feel like she’s doing a lot of good things (and) I’m very happy to be a part of it.”
“I feel that (Gray) gives me my own little areas to be creative in, and I like that because it’s not all one way… there’s ways we can toss ideas around. She gives me chances to kind of pretty much just hit the ground running,” Condren said.
As the Grape Peony continues to grow, Gray wants to not only be of help to Ohio brides but to everyone around the world. Recently she assisted a customer from Australia who was getting married in 13 hours and needed a portrait. Although Gray was in crunch time, it turned out to be a success.
“I think being a small business and an Ohio business is definitely important to me and I definitely want to go out of my way for Ohio brides and make sure that I’m known in Ohio, specifically. But I definitely want to continue to do more international things and just be there for people everywhere that need assistance or need help,” Gray said.
As summer approaches and the wedding season begins, Gray and Condren will work hard to ensure that the Grape Peony will be a go-to hub for all brides and grooms.
“I look forward to getting in front of people and letting them touch our product and see it and hold it and truly experience it,” Gray said.
