What starts as a fun activity with friends leads to a business funding an international trip to Scotland. 

Kierstin Schroeder, class of 2020, begins her business Sketchy Scrunchies last August. Initially, Schroeder and her two friends start making scrunchies for themselves. They think it’s a fun activity to do together; however, they notice that there’s a demand for scrunchies.

“We initially started Sketchy Scrunchies just to see if people wanted them. When we saw that people were buying them, we decided we could make a business out of it.”

She explains how she doesn’t only do it for the money. What motivates her is that the scrunchies make people happy.

The colorful fabrics capture the eyes of VSCO girls all over Neenah, and further. She never imagines the potential of her scrunchies leaving the state – but they do.

Quickly, Kierstin realizes that social media is the backbone of the business. The entire business runs via Instagram.

Now, Kierstin runs the business by herself.

She sells a variety of fabrics and types and has found that communication is key to selling scrunchies. Through social media, she communicates to customers through polls about fabrics, price changes, and more.

Many people show interest in the sporadic 3 for $5 deal. Originally, one scrunchie is $2.

Kierstin believes that a big reason people buy scrunchies from her is because she sells for a much cheaper price than what other sellers do. 

In the future, Kierstin will be selling scrunchies at the Helping Hands Art and Craft Fair in November.

Half of the proceeds will go to Touch of Class for their international trip to Scotland, and the other half with go to Kierstin’s trip.

Not only does her business opens hundreds of doors for her, but it supports things she’s passionate about too, like Touch of Class.