Meet a Small Business Owner
Meet the Owner of Scripted Studio, Carrie O’Neal
Originally from Cleveland, Carrie O’Neal received a degree in Industrial Design with a minor in Visual Communications from OSU. After her first daughter was born, she decided to work from home and started O’Neal Designs, the graphic design portion of her business. With a web of clients everywhere from an amusement park in Dubai to a coffee shop in Hamilton, Carrie eventually wanted to move the business out of her home. “I’ve always had a love for stationery, and when I travel I always seek out these little paper shops that are kind of fleeting,” she says. Soon enough, everything came together and she opened Scripted Studio, her own little paper shop on Main Street in early 2019. Carrie shared her experience of opening a small business in downtown Hamilton.
Why did you choose this particular storefront in Hamilton?
I met with the Economic Development Department about two years ago and explained to her what my ideas were. I had a desire to be close to Two Little Buds, because I thought that it would be a similar clientele -- they actually carry some of my cards now. Plus the demographic that goes to True West [Coffee} across the street, that college age, young professional clientele fit with the kind of people who might be interested in my products. And then when I walked in this space for the first time, I was almost brought to tears. It’s so beautiful, and the light is so wonderful...it was like a dream.
What are some of your favorite places in Hamilton?
I’m a Casual Pint girl, and I’m at Municipal Brew Works a lot when the weather is nicer. Whenever I’m having a down day I walk over to Two Little Buds - that’s the best thing about being right next to a flower shop! And I love the Farmer’s Market, it’s amazing!
What kind of collaborations have you had with other small businesses?
I sell some cards at Two Little Buds, and occasionally I sell their little bouquets here. We’ve been talking about doing some collaborations with True West, selling art-inspired products there, and I did a pop-up shop at Sara’s House at Christmas time. And The Casual Pint has a giant chalkboard that I did some hand-lettering on for funny Christmas movie sayings - things like “You’ll shoot your eye out” and “Merry Christmas ya filthy animal,” that kind of stuff. They said it was so profitable for them that next time we do it they’re gonna publicize it beforehand so people can come watch as I’m doing it. I’m also working on a chalkboard layout for BeYOUtiful that will be coming out pretty soon.
Do you have any plans to expand Scripted Studio?
People have really enjoyed the workshops - we’ve gotten almost a call a day lately about the upcoming class schedule - so I will definitely be adding more. The classes are pretty broad: we’ve got a book folding class, a paper flower class, hand lettering, which I taught to a bunch of Hamilton art teachers and also did a class at Sara’s House in early 2020. People can go to our website to see what our class schedule looks like.
What do you see happening on Main Street in the future?
Personally, I’m excited for more restaurants and unique little shops to come in. Fretboard opening last year was so exciting, and that gets people out and about more in the evenings. When I see the foot traffic come in, especially people coming from out of town, they’re always like ‘This is the stuff you can’t find anywhere!’ Which is fun! And seeing them carry their Chubby Bunny box or their Two Little Buds flowers, things you can only find here, is cool. Hamilton has a great candy store, a great candle shop, coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants… I’d love to see a bookstore open up somewhere!
What advice would you give other startups looking to come to Hamilton?
The City of Hamilton is very helpful in assisting you through the process of starting up, and patient as you learn things through the process. There are so many resources, both inside and outside of Hamilton. I’m a ‘go do it’ kind of girl, so I say if you want to do it, don’t let anything hold you back! At the same time, it’s helpful to know that there are resources in Hamilton that will help you through it.
