tart by taylor
fab home decor like you’ve never seen
Stand out with handmade resin decor by savvy and sassy businesswoman and glam lover, Taylor Dean.
Owning her own business has always been part of the plan for Taylor Dean of Dallas, Texas. Her nearly seven year tenure as a stylist at Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service, was a masterclass in customer service, relationship building and cultivating her love for fashion design, which she studied as an undergraduate. But last year unexpectedly fast-tracked her entrepreneurial dream and tested her creative talents.
“2020 was the year to take a step back and make a change.”
After feeling stagnant in her career, the obstacles and alterations of 2020 “really forced my hand to do something.”
Taylor describes the turbulence of last year and her choice to pivot to “doing her own thing” as a blessing in disguise.
the making of…
Taylor began exploring DIY decor as a side project while quarantining amid the coronavirus pandemic. Looking for a hobby to fill her time while contemplating her next professional move, Taylor learned to make resin trays through YouTube videos, trial and error and a lot of persistence.
(The resin creation process is complex and conducted over multiple days. A difficult material to work with, resin is made from mixing two different syrup mixtures, producing a chemical reaction that hardens. That’s what makes it a great, sturdy surface for trays, coasters and other core TART products.)
liquid courage
After weeks of fooling around with resin art “and a few dirty martinis later” Taylor recalls, she bolstered the courage to post her creations to Instagram. By the next morning, she had 60 inquirers ready to buy her creations, and unexpected interest in her new hobby.
make it pop
TART (meaning “Taylor’s art”) is inspired by boldness and color. “I’m drawn to color,” Taylor explains. “I just like fun. My house is like a Limited Too,” she gestures to brightly painted walls and trinkets, referencing the ever-popular apparel store of the 2000’s.
People are often surprised to learn that her pill collection uses real pills. (Funny enough, they’re often less-than-glamorous anti-diarrheal and gas remedies that come in punchy colors!)
Taylor’s bestselling product?
These custom dog coasters. Just upload your photos to the TART by Taylor site and eternalize your furry pal on your coffee table.
5- star rating
TART’s success is due in part to Taylor’s knack for stellar customer service. Amid USPS shipping fiascos, creating custom orders and social media interactions, Taylor has befriended her customers and uses them as a sounding board to help develop her optimal product mix. “You could be selling gold and if your customer service is terrible, your business will never work,” Taylor explains. She still receives Christmas cards and regularly corresponds with past clients from Trunk Club, revealing that one of her Trunk Club clients even named their baby after her!
“Everything is made by hand, poured with love,” Taylor says. She recently hired two employees, Bailey and Chandler, to keep up with the explosive volume and following she’s gained through social media, and the 1000+ orders placed through Instagram before launching her TART by Taylor site.
Until a few weeks ago, Taylor was fulfilling solely custom orders. Now she’s building up premade inventory for the first time since her spring 2020 launch, pursuing wholesale opportunities, and drawing inspiration from her customers and her TART community. She’ll post photos of her ideas, gauge interest and collect feedback before working on her vision and bringing it to life.
Made by hand, poured with love, shop TART by Taylor. Potential wholesale partner? Contact Tart. Obsessed with coasters? Check out TART. Need a tray for your wine glass? Shop TART. You get the idea :)