Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Binaghi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Years ago, I gave up my real estate license to become my son’s full time care giver as he has special and medical needs. I found over time that I needed something of my own, if you will. I had always loved sewing and crafting, so I started small, making kids pajamas, washcloths, pillow cases and a few other things.
A few years later, I added an embroidery machine and started making bags, stuffed animals and more. I had an online shop for quite a few years and really enjoyed it.
In 2021, we moved to another county, out of the suburbs and onto a little 8.9 acre farm. I started keeping chickens and ducks and eventually got my first 4 goats. I started making goat milk soap 3-4 years ago and discovered that in our new area, farmers markets and craft shows seemed to be more popular so I tried a few. Before long, the markets and shows were a much better source of income for me so I closed my online shop and do in person events only.
For 3 years now as things evolved, I began to take on a new role as an organizer of some of these events. I am the market manager of our local farmer’s market, Riverside Market in Algonac, Michigan and host several craft and vendor shows throughout the year. I absolutely love the fact that not only can I have spaces to offer what I make, but also offer spaces to other small businesses and give our community the opportunity to shop small and locally.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anything worth doing is ever 100% easy. The struggles are what we learn from. Being a mom to a now 17 year old with special and medical needs adds another layer of challenge to daily life, but we work through it each day and get the work done.
Working with the public isn’t always the easiest as no one can ever make everyone happy, but we sure learn to do our best, to create the best products and art we can put out there and treat everyone with respect and care.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I believe what I am most known for as now is my soap making. I make all natural goat milk soap from milk I source myself from our little herd. I cold process the old fashioned way and use quality, natural products and people seem to really notice a difference from store bought products.
I still love making bags, stuffed animals, key chains and lots more and offer plenty of other products too.
This past year or so, the event organization has really become another big part of the business and I’m truly grateful for all of the wonderful small businesses I get to work with.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is seeing others doing well and being happy themselves. On a family level, seeing my son or my 4 grandkids laughing and happy is just everything to me. From a business standpoint, seeing vendors grow and thrive in their businesses and seeing their joy in the successes, it just makes my heart full!
From a personal angle, my little farm makes me happy. Our animals, the garden, the space to be able to do what I do is the best.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakobs_ladder2011/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JakobsLadder
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1240842973253594
