Meet Erin Meendering and Jennifer Kuiper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Meendering and Jennifer Kuiper.  

Erin and Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A little about us: We are both Michigan born and raised. Our husbands have been friends since childhood; we met through them and quickly became friends. Between the two of us, we have five girls. When we get together, things can get a little chaotic, but the kids have a blast! We began selling glassware together as a hobby in 2019. In 2021, we purchased a laser engraver and expanded our glassware to add engraved products. In 2022, we made the decision to leave our former selling platform and launch our own website. We also expanded to wholesale on Faire. Please reach out through our website or email with any questions; we would love to make something special for 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?
Owning a small business is so rewarding, but it is not without challenges. Both of us have full-time jobs outside of our small business, and we both have young kids. Navigating different selling platforms, maintaining social media accounts, and balancing work and family life can be tough; however, we have learned so much over the past few years. We have also really enjoyed connecting with other small businesses and building relationships through social media as well as in-person shows. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We offer etched glassware such as wine, beer, and whiskey glasses and also engrave a variety of tumblers. Some of our best sellers are Michigan-inspired items. We love to customize drinkware as well and specialize in personalized glasses for bachelor/bachelorette parties, wedding favors, and engraved logos for businesses. It is so rewarding to see our items in stores around town and on social media! 

What’s next?
We are so excited about our recent website launch! We can’t wait to see where it takes us in the future. Our short-term plans include growing our online and brick-and-mortar store presence. Our long-term plans include possibly purchasing an additional engraving machine and expanding our business to include engraved logos on a larger scale. We are excited to see where these opportunities take us! 

Pricing:

• $10-$20

Contact Info:

• Website: www.saltyspouse.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/saltyspouseglassware
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/saltyspouseglassware
• Other: https://saltyspouseglassware.faire.com/

Image Credits
Karla Michelle Photography