One Bead at a Time: Bikes, Creativity & Building a Business Your Own Way
We’re back!
Tarin It Up took a little break for August. Sometimes you need to give yourself permission to step away for a minute, catch your breath, and come back when you’re actually excited to hit record again.
And I couldn’t think of a better conversation to kick off September.
I recently connected with Emily, the maker behind PedalCreations, and immediately knew I wanted to get her on the podcast. Her work brings together two things that might not seem connected at first — mountain biking and beading — but once you hear the story behind PedalCreations, it makes perfect sense.
Where Bikes Meet Creativity
Emily has always been a maker, but she didn't start beading until her 40s. While living in Bellingham, she was riding almost every day and spending that time on the bike noticing the colors, flowers, trees and textures around her.
Those rides became part of her creative process.
She'd pedal, think through designs and color palettes, then come home and create. Eventually, that combination became Pedal Creations — handmade beaded pieces designed with active women in mind.
And yes, you can absolutely wear her earrings under a bike helmet.
Starting With What You Have
One of my favorite parts of our conversation had almost nothing to do with having the “right” setup.
Emily started beading while living in an RV and needed something small enough to work in the space she had. Her solution? A paper plate.
Years later, she still beads on one.
It was such a simple reminder that we don't need to have everything perfectly lined up before trying something new. You can start in your 40s. You can start in an RV. You can start with a paper plate.
You just have to start.
Does Bigger Always Mean Better?
We also get into something I've been thinking about a lot lately , the instinct to turn everything we enjoy into something bigger.
Emily's goal with PedalCreations was to employ herself. She's done that.
Could she hire people to make her designs and grow production? Sure. But then she might spend less time actually creating and more time running the business. And creating is the part she loves.
There's something pretty powerful about deciding what enough looks like for you instead of automatically chasing the next level.
Why Hit Play
🌱 Starting something new later in life
🚲 Finding creativity through movement and the outdoors
🙅♀️ Learning when to say no in business
👐 Understanding the value behind handmade goods
✨ Building a business around what you actually enjoy
Stay Connected
PedalCreations
Website: pedalcreations.com
Instagram: @pedalcreations
Follow the podcast: @tarin.it.up.podcast
Newsletter: tarinitup.myflodesk.com
Support the pod: buymeacoffee.com/tarinitup