Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Scarborough
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was decorating my home September 2020, and I noticed something else was missing for fall decor. I looked on Pinterest and noticed I was missing a fall doormat for my home’s theme. I went on Amazon to order one and it was $65. I told myself I wasn’t paying that from Amazon, it’s a company, it’s not handmade or anything. I printed out some stencils and went to Michaels and bought a crafting knife, a cutting board, a shagged rug, and some paint. It took me a few hours to carefully cut out the stencil and I taped it on the rug. The rug took about 2 or 3 days to make. I called my mom and showed her while she was at work. She showed her friends and one asked me to make one; I said sure. That same friend had a Halloween party and had friends inquire. They contacted me and I made them one. It wasn’t until the third inquiry I received a payment but I didn’t think anything of it, I was having fun, until fun became overwhelming and it became a demand.
December 2020, my “sister friend” who is also a crafter encouraged me to go further. She gave advice, blessings, and guided me through branding and where to go for a logo. That’s when MATTEDesigns was born. My name Briana (pronounced br-EYE-an-a) is unique but from my father, Brian. I wanted my brand name to be just as unique and personalized. I wanted it to stand out amongst other crafters or doormat businesses.
To some, it’s just doormats, a placeholder, decor, something to place in front your door. To me, MATTEDesigns is more than just a “doormat”. Everyday, we go into the store and see the same doormats, the same designs, the same ideas, nothing original, nothing unique. It wasn’t until I moved into my own apartment and I noticed the same three units had the same doormat. If your home is custom and personalized to your liking, why should that personalization begin behind the door? You should want your home to complement you in all areas. We are all created different. We all have different creativity and different ideas. We all have our own individuality. Your doormat reflects your individuality and creativity.
January 16, 2025, will be my fourth anniversary. In these three years, I’ve managed to ship across the U.S., attend multiple pop-up shops and vendor events, physically relocate, rebrand, and build my own domain removing my Etsy storefront. While I do plan to expand MATTEDesigns to be much more than doormats, I wish and will continue to hand paint everyone’s style, name, or character on a coir doormat.
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?
Nothing in life is a “smooth road”, especially entrepreneurship. During my three years in business I had some struggles but I learned from them and achieved my goals. My top struggles were 1. Overthinking, 2. Consistency, 3. Lacking a business plan, 4. Funding.
To briefly address each, I learned to stop overthinking things because I know what’s best for me and my business, and I know there are resources out there for the areas I’m struggling. With entrepreneurship, I learned you have to be comfortable with getting uncomfortable and overthinking does nothing but interfere with goals and relationships.
Consistency, we’re in such a social media era I learned I have to consistently show up for my business, no matter the size of the post. It doesn’t matter if the post gets a like or not, someone saw it.
Lacking a business plan, since I started everything from the bottom up, I never knew the significance or importance of having a business plan. I never knew a business plan could not only drive my business in the appropriate direction, but it can also assist me with applying for grants and receiving funding. There are days, weeks, sometimes months where my sales are low and I have to use my personal funding for business expenses.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Full-time, I am a Paralegal. Currently, I practice in Insurance Defense Litigation where my employer is retained by insurance companies to defend suits against them or potential suits against them.
I’ve been a paralegal since October 7, 2019. I began this journey while I was in Graduate School at Stevenson University, pursuing my Master’s Degree in Forensic Investigation. I transitioned from one employer to become a paralegal because I wanted a profession where I could grow. I give upmost gratitude to Maryland Legal Aid where my journey began. It was a group of women who saw my drive, my potential, and believed I could be destined in this field and they paved the way for me.
To further enhance my profession as a paralegal and to gain significant knowledge in other legal areas, I enrolled in George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies Graduate Program. Upon completion of the program, I will receive my second Master’s Degree, Paralegal Certificate, and become a Certified Paralegal.
How do you define success?
I define success as internal, not external. I define success by how I overcome challenges, how I reward myself, how I take care of my well-being so I’m the best for myself and the people that I love. People often define success by the amount of money they have, their home, their car, or materialistic views, when that’s not success, those things do not make you successful. What makes you successful is your mentality, how determined you are, how well of a leader you are, how positive you are in negative situations.
Pricing:
- Customs – $65.00
- Mat Paint Party – $65 per person
- Mats range between $40 – $80 depending on the design and size
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mattedesigns.square.site
- Instagram: @_mattedesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MATTED8signs
