Spring is a time for new beginnings, and we can’t think of a better time to introduce you to one of our newest makers! Hollyn is the founder of Shop Simply Fidgets, a brand designed to fashionably meet the sensory needs of young adults. We love her wristlets and keychains and can’t wait to share her story and products with you.
Hi Hollyn! Thanks so much for sharing your story with us today! Can you please tell us a little about yourself?
Hey y'all! My name is Hollyn Donovan! I'm 27 years old and my service dog, Hartley, and I live in Plano, Texas. I love writing, volunteering and doing public speaking work for local mental health and disability awareness nonprofits, as well as hanging out with my friends and trying my hand at perfecting my 'iPhone photography' skills.
Hartley is such a cutie, and we love that you’re out there advocating for mental health and disability awareness. These past couple of years have been tough. Can you share something good that’s come out of this time?
My business, Shop Simply Fidgets, was "born" so to speak, during one of the most difficult times in my life. I was unethically fired from the internship I was required to complete to graduate with my Bachelor of Social Work degree on the basis of my disabilities, and therefore, my university dropped me from the program as well. All within a 2-week timespan. Instead of graduating with a bachelor's degree in December 2021, I was working on making sales, perfecting product photo techniques, editing the website, and more. Starting a small business instead of working toward graduation wasn't exactly how I planned on spending most of my fall semester. However, now I'm grateful for the pivot and the opportunity to partner with Mosaic Makers Collective going forward.
That sounds like it was a really difficult situation. It shows incredible strength that you were able to pivot that heartbreak into a beautiful new career doing something you love. Tell us about Shop Simply Fidgets! What do you make and how long have you been doing it?
My business is called Shop Simply Fidgets and we make fidget-keychains, keychain-wristlets, and more out of silicone and wooden beads with the goal of being both sophisticated and sensory-friendly.
There's not a particularly fun story behind the name. My friend Sara and I were on Google Hangouts one night and she was sharing her screen with me and pulled up a Google Doc and we just started brainstorming different names. We tried the alliteration idea for a while, things like "fabulous fidgets", "sophisticated sensories", etc, and nothing was working out. Then Sara said "how about Simply Fidgets? Just...Simply Fidgets?" and it stuck!
Sometimes, the simplest names are the best. We love your name! Why did you get involved with MMC?
My boyfriend and I were walking through the Dallas Galleria a few weeks ago and I saw the Mosaic store there. I read the signage outside and on the windows and, as a maker, I was immediately attracted and said "we have to go in!" We went in, walked around, I spoke to the employee working there that day, and got a card with the email telling me about the social media handles and the email to send an inquiry to for an application. The rest is essentially history.
We’re so glad you stopped by that day! What are three words that best describe your work?
Three words that best describe Shop Simply Fidgets are: sophisticated, unique, and fun!
A perfect description! If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
I would choose to be able to fly! Walking is great but isn't my favorite thing & running is even less fun, in my eyes. I would get SO much use out of being able to fly plus it would be a ton of fun!
Flying would be SO much fun! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us today. We are so glad to have you as a maker at Mosaic Makers Collective!
Want to learn more about our makers or shop Shop Simply Fidgets? Check out these additional resources:
- Visit our shop in the Bishop Arts District
- Shop Shop Simply Fidgets online
- Meet more of our Mosaic Makers on the Blog