Small Business Spotlight: Clift Craft Corner

At TextNow, we believe in small business. We also believe that when opportunity calls — you need to have the right number to answer it. That’s why we support small business owners and side hustlers with a second phone line, a dedicated business number, and the ability to create a professional voicemail message – all for free. This month, we’re speaking to some of our amazing customers who are working hard to make their dreams a reality.

‍“I want to spark joy with my art.”

‍Located in Mustang, all of Clift Craft Corner’s hip apparel & accessories and one-of-a-kind drinkware is made with love in Oklahoma. What started out as a fun way to make some extra money has turned into a full-time job for founder and owner DeJa Clift. We spoke with DeJa about how she built her business from the ground up.

Tell me about Clift Craft Corner.

The idea for the business started out of necessity. I wanted to get my son a custom t-shirt for his birthday, but I couldn’t find a local store that could do it and it was going to take too long to order one online. So I thought, I can do this myself. I started designing and making shirts for my family and I to wear, and people would ask where we got them. And I would say, “I made them!” That’s how I started selling them online.

I also had a nail blog at the time, and I would spend so much time on my designs, only to have them disappear when I removed them. So I started putting my nail art on tumblers, and selling those through the site as well.

Clift Craft Corner started out as a side business, but it kept growing and now it’s my full-time job. We’re planning to launch art for the home soon as well.

Why did you decide to start your own business?

I never thought that I would start my own business, I thought that I had my dream job in criminal justice. But Clift Craft Corner just kept growing and I was passionate about it, so we went for it. I liked the freedom it gave me, to work on it when I wanted and not have set hours, especially when my second child was born and I was on maternity leave.

What have been some of the biggest challenges of running your own business?

Well, 2020 has definitely come with its own set of challenges.

Being only one person, I’m responsible for everything. I create the products, find vendors, promote things on social media, handle the backend of the website, packaging and mailing. I’m a one woman show. My son is five years old now, so he has started to help package – it’s nice to have an assistant you can pay with goldfish crackers!

How does TextNow help you with your business?

TextNow is so awesome, I tell all of my friends about it. I downloaded the app onto one of my old iPhones and I use that as a separate business phone. It allows me to text my customers and vendors to stay in touch from a dedicated business number instead of my personal phone.

But more importantly, it helps me to create boundaries. In my previous career in criminal justice, I would get calls at all hours of the day and night from clients and lawyers. Having a separate phone for my business lets me unplug when I want to. If I’m going on vacation, I can just leave my phone behind and not worry about work.

What’s the future of Clift Craft Corner?

Things have been going really well. I’m planning to open a physical storefront soon in Mustang where I can showcase my artwork.

How can people find you online?

You can order t-shirts, baby clothes, and custom stainless steel tumblers on our website – CliftCraftCorner.com - and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and new products!