Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Unroe.
Hi Sara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sweet Peony Prints began as a hobby with just one 3D printer. Before long, I found myself taking over the printer, experimenting with new designs, and creating items that people genuinely enjoyed. What started as something fun at home gradually grew into a small business centered on producing unique, high-quality 3D-printed toys, fidgets, animals, dragons, turtles, and other creative items. We now have branched out into home decor.
As a former teacher, I still wanted to stay connected to the community and make a positive impact, just in a different way than I had in the classroom. Attending local markets and events gave me the opportunity to meet families, interact with children, and share products that bring people joy. Over time, we have expanded our equipment, improved our products, and continued growing Sweet Peony Prints while staying focused on creativity, quality, and community connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a completely smooth road. One of our biggest challenges has been equipment maintenance and unexpected printer failures. Even small issues can be very time-consuming to diagnose and repair, especially when we are preparing inventory for an upcoming event. As a one-woman business, this also detracts from working on other aspects of the business, too, including marketing, creating, and printing in general.
Sales can also be unpredictable. Some markets are extremely successful, while others leave us hoping for a better turnout. Learning how much inventory to prepare and which products will perform best at each event has been an ongoing process, one we are definitely fine-tuning as we continue working this business.
Another challenge has been balancing the business with our family life. Most markets take place on weekends, which means giving up time that would normally be spent together as a family. We are continually working to find the right balance while still pursuing something we enjoy. Despite the challenges, each experience has helped us learn, improve, and become more intentional about how we grow the business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sweet Peony Prints?
Sweet Peony Prints is a family-owned 3D printing business specializing in fun, unique, and high-quality products for children and adults alike. We are best known for our flexible animals with matching habitats, themed dragons and turtles, clicker fidgets, and other interactive toys that are designed to be both fun and visually appealing, while also having a purpose. We enjoy offering a wide variety of products so that customers of all ages can find something that fits their personality or interests.
What sets us apart is the amount of care we put into the quality of every print. We focus on producing items that are clean, durable, and ready to be enjoyed rather than simply printing as much as we can, as quickly as possible. We also love interacting with customers at local markets, helping children (and adults) find the perfect item, and seeing their excitement when they discover something new. Those personal connections are a major part of why we continue doing what we do.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of how Sweet Peony Prints has grown from a simple hobby into something that allows us to connect with and bring joy to our community. We want people to know that we are more than just a 3D printing business. We are a local family creating imaginative products, supporting community events, and working hard to provide a positive and memorable experience for every customer that we interact with.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson we have learned is that growth takes patience and flexibility, along with a lot of hard work. Running a small business means constantly adapting, whether that involves repairing equipment, adjusting inventory, learning which products customers enjoy most, or accepting that every market will not have the same outcome.
We have also learned that success is not only measured by sales. It is found in the relationships we build, the excitement customers show when they find something they love, the excitement we share when we see them at another event, and the opportunity to be part of our local community. At the same time, we have learned how important it is to protect our family time and grow the business at a pace that works for us. Each challenge has taught us something valuable and helped shape Sweet Peony Prints into the brand it is today.
Pricing:
- $5.00
- $10.00
- $25.00
- $50.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sweetpeonyprints.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweet.peony.prints
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetpeonyprints
Image Credits
Lexi Peyton with Emory’s Memory for the family photo, Sweet Peony Prints for all other photos
