We had the good fortune of connecting with Macey LeVahn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Macey, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I learned how to macrame in March of 2020, at the beginning of the global lockdown, and the abundance of free time (with school off) led me to grow in my skills rather quickly. I had experience with running businesses before, running the Etsy shops of both my parents, so I knew the general skills it took to be an online business owner. After a few months of making products, I finally opened my shop in early June of 2020.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of the things that I think sets me apart the most is my age. I am a teen artist and business owner, starting my business at 17 years old. At 18, I’m proud to say that I’ve sold over 400 items, have 10.3K Instagram followers, and sell my work in other people’s stores around the world! It definitely hasn’t been easy getting here, as I have been trying to balance both my business and complete my senior year of high school. My classes have been online all year, so I’ve actually learned how to multitask with working on my macrame projects while listening to my teachers present. Now that I’m graduating, I look forward to being able to spend longer chunks of intentional time working on my various art pieces. One of the biggest things I’ve learned through this entire journey is how important it is to be authentic online. I truly believe that one of the biggest reasons I have grown so much in my online presence is because I am candid about both my successes and my failures. I know that I make mistakes and things don’t always go as I plan, but I know other people go through it to and from the feedback I’ve received, people really appreciate seeing that they’re not alone in their struggles. I would want the world to know that good things can come from unexpected places. Just over a year ago, I believed I was going to be a preschool teacher, but now, with an insane amount of hard work and perseverance, I’m running my own successful business and crazy proud of where I’ve come.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I absolutely love living in Minneapolis. There’s so much culture and variation in places to go and see! I would start by taking them out to breakfast at Cafe Astoria- an adorable coffee shop with GORGEOUS coffees (think rainbow swirls, chocolate drizzled smore’s drinks, and other deliciousness like that) and some amazing breakfast. As for places to go, one of my favorite things about Minnesota is all our bodies of water. Whether we’re hiking or biking at Minnehaha Falls, paddleboarding on lake Bde Maka Ska, or relaxing on a beach, our warm summers are perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Rainy days call for a trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, enjoying a fabulous Broadway show at the Orpheum Theatre, or attending Orchestra Hall for a performance from the incredible Minnesota Orchestra. Our city is full of amazing restaurants to stop by for dinner, including Hai Hai, serving modern Vietnamese street food, Tilia, a warm neighborhood bistro with New American plates, or Pig Ate My Pizza, a high-energy pizza joint with creative pizza and drink creations. If we wanted a fun and chill night out, we could always get a scoop of ice cream from Sebastian Joe’s and watch a free concert in one of the Minneapolis parks. This is such a vibrant city and there is always something to do!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My MOTHER is my biggest supporter! I’m still a high school student (graduating in June) and the success of my business completely changed my post-secondary plan. When I brought up the idea of pursuing my artistry instead of heading to college, she was a complete supporter! She never doubted that I would do amazing things, and although she may not understand all my business decisions, she cheers me on with every one. It’s so uplifting to know that she trusts me to work hard and that I don’t need to follow a traditional path to be successful.

Website: thetwistery.com

Instagram: @thetwistery

Facebook: @thetwistery

Image Credits
Annalise Groff Photography

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