Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Zeigler.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into entrepreneurship didn’t start with a polished business plan or a lifelong dream of owning a company. It began during one of the most stressful and uncertain seasons of my life.
In 2020, I started my Master’s program in Healthcare Administration — at the exact same time the world shut down due to COVID-19. I was working in Corporate Patient Safety for a large health system, navigating crisis after crisis, and operating far beyond empty. On a burnout scale of one to ten, I was easily at a fifteen. I questioned whether I wanted to stay in healthcare at all. Many nights, I cried myself to sleep, overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility and the emotional toll of the work.
Around that time, one of my nieces kept insisting that I watch her TikTok videos. I resisted at first — it felt trivial compared to everything else on my plate — but eventually, I gave in. One night while scrolling, I stumbled across a live video of someone making epoxy tumblers. I was instantly captivated. I watched night after night, completely absorbed by the process, the creativity, and the calm it brought me. Somewhere in those late-night scrolls, I made a quiet promise to myself: when I finished my degree, I would try making them too.
In March of 2023, that promise became reality, and Aunt Myrtle’s Designs was officially born.
In the beginning, my focus was purely creative. I sold ready-to-ship tumblers, cups, car coasters, and pens, attended craft shows and maker markets, and fulfilled custom orders as they came in. The work was steady, the response was encouraging, and I was generating revenue. It was fulfilling in a way I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
But by December of 2024, my path shifted again.
I was facing a required double spinal fusion surgery, and the physical demands of maker markets — hauling tents, tables, inventory, and weights — were no longer sustainable. During that season, a new idea kept surfacing: instead of focusing solely on individual products, what if I worked directly with businesses to help them promote themselves more intentionally using branded items?
In 2025, I made a significant pivot.
Today, Aunt Myrtle’s Designs is rooted in strategic marketing for business owners. My work centers on helping businesses increase brand visibility and client growth through cost-effective, relationship-focused branded merchandise campaigns. I’m passionate about teaching business owners why physical brand promotion matters — not just what to buy. We talk endlessly about digital marketing, but often overlook the power of tangible brand presence: the items people hold, use, keep, and remember.
That doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my creative roots. I still participate in a few select shows each year that I genuinely enjoy, and I continue to create meaningful custom gifts for non-business customers. I also collaborate with several businesses that sell the merchandise I produce directly through my website, while working with many others behind the scenes to develop their promotional strategies and produce branded products as needed.
What started as a passion project has evolved into a strategic dual career.
By day, I work in healthcare specializing in the digital health space for a large health system. By night and on weekends, I step into my role as a strategic marketing expert, helping business owners anchor their brands in the real world. My work goes far beyond placing a logo on a pen. It’s about understanding how a brand should be experienced — and then bringing that strategy into three-dimensional reality through laser engraving, sublimation, print, and cohesive merchandise design.
At its core, Aunt Myrtle’s Designs is about anchoring brands in memory, presence, and connection. And for me, it’s proof that even in the most overwhelming seasons of life, something meaningful can take shape — sometimes from a single, unexpected moment of curiosity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Entrepreneurship wasn’t something I grew up around. No one in my family owned a business, so when I started mine, everything was self-taught — from forming an LLC and managing finances to building a website. Each new skill felt intimidating at first, but incredibly empowering once I figured it out. I learned that I was capable of more than I thought.
In December 2024, I faced a required double spinal fusion that forced me to rethink how I was running my business. The physically demanding nature of shows and markets was no longer sustainable, and it became clear that many of them weren’t aligned with what I truly enjoyed or where the business was most profitable. I didn’t want to stop — I needed to pivot.
That pivot led me to working directly with businesses, helping them use branded promotional products more intentionally. What began as a practical adjustment has since evolved into strategic brand work, supporting business owners who want their brand to be remembered, not just seen.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At its core, Aunt Myrtle’s Designs exists at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and connection.
I work with business owners who want their brand to be remembered — not just seen. My specialty is helping businesses use branded promotional products intentionally, not as throwaway swag, but as strategic tools that build visibility, trust, and long-term relationships. I help clients understand why physical brand presence matters and how to use it effectively alongside their broader marketing efforts. From curated promotional strategies to producing high-quality branded merchandise, my work is focused on turning everyday items into quiet brand ambassadors.
What truly sets my business apart is that I don’t start with products — I start with purpose. Instead of asking, “What do you want to put your logo on?” I ask, “How do you want your brand to be experienced and remembered?” That shift changes everything. My clients aren’t buying pens or tumblers; they’re investing in brand presence, client loyalty, and meaningful touch-points that live in the real world.
At the same time, Aunt Myrtle’s Designs has always had — and continues to have — a consumer-facing side. I create custom gifts for everyday people who want something thoughtful, personal, and beautifully made. From laser-engraved and sublimated drinkware to glittered office supplies and personalized keepsakes, each piece is designed with care. Whether it’s a gift for a loved one, a milestone moment, or a small way to make someone feel seen, the intention behind the work is the same: to create something people actually keep and use.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the evolution. What began as a creative outlet during a stressful season of life has grown into a brand rooted in clarity, intention, and impact — without losing its heart. I’ve built a business that allows me to serve both business owners and individuals in meaningful ways, blending strategy with craftsmanship.
What I want readers to know most is this: Aunt Myrtle’s Designs is not about mass production or generic solutions. It’s about thoughtful branding, intentional gifting, and creating tangible experiences that last. Whether I’m helping a business anchor their brand in someone’s daily routine or creating a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, the goal is always the same — to make something that feels personal, purposeful, and worth keeping.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My biggest cheerleader is my mom, she typically doesn’t hesitate when I say “I was thinking….” and is the one who helps with shows, packing orders, listens to me vent about stuff she has no idea what I am talking about. She reminds me to sparkle all the time and that I can do anything.
About a year ago, two amazing women entered my life when I didn’t truly realize how much I needed them. These two women are now two of my best friends; they are both business owners and understand the journey intimately. They are the first two people I call or message when I have a business win, need to vent, require a cry session, or want to talk through a new idea. They celebrate my victories, offer a shoulder to cry on, and, crucially, kick my ass when I need motivation. They are my core tribe.
Other vital members of my community are the sisters from Polka Dot Powerhouse (for any woman seeking an amazing, unparalleled networking group, I highly recommend checking them out). At our monthly meetings, they celebrate your wins, actively refer you to others needing your services, and are always ready for a supportive coffee date.
Surround yourself with people who will be there no matter what, because owning a business is certainly not for the weak of heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.auntmyrtlesdesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aunt_myrtles_designs_llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuntMyrtlesDesignsLLC
