Meet Tessa Grzybinski

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tessa Grzybinski. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tessa below.

Tessa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

That’s such a daunting question. It always was for me at least, growing up through art school and those years following, trying to navigate the career world and afraid of choosing the wrong path. The idea of making a mistake paralyzed me, and it was impossible for me to step outside of myself until I had my daughter.

It blew up my world in the most magical and terrifying way because the moment you become a mother you lose your self autonomy instantly. I had a fear that I was going to only be an only mother and nothing else. I wanted my daughter growing up with a female roll model, someone who valued herself and worked hard towards something she felt passionate about.

What that was, I didn’t know yet.

When my daughter turned two, I started a new part-time job at a florist in Baltimore. Everyday I would learn about varieties of flowers and help customers with their arrangements. After a year I felt that postpartum cloud slowly dissipate and my self confidence return.

One day I was helping out with a flower stand during a Holiday Market along with several other small local businesses. I would watch everyone set up their tables, admiring everyone entrepreneurial passions.
Deep down I wanted to own a business, the dream of owning a bakery, had always felt too out of reach for me. But this time, it felt different, I thought “what’s there to lose”? I wrote down a plan to start a menu, reach out to markets and incorporate posy’s (small bouquets of flowers).

Since then, I’ve truly found my purpose which is bringing joy to my friends, family and stranger through my baking. At the end of the day that where is all lies.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Butter Posy in the beginning was a way to have something I could call my own, a creative outlet and maybe some extra income for my family. Today, its meaning has grown into more than just baking and flowers. It has become a way to share my journey of learning to balance motherhood with entrepreneurship, and by being vulnerable I aim to help support other struggling mothers who also want to create something for themselves.

I may not have a brick and mortar location, but half the fun of Butter Posy has been setting for markets or popups and meeting other small business owners. I get to create a mini version of story and hopefully spark curiosity for anyone who visits me, as if they just walked into my store.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I went into developing “Butter Posy” so blindly- All I knew was that I loved baking and creating/editing reels on Instagram. Everything that came next just happened naturally. Three main things, or advice that stuck with me the most throughout this time has been to know that “there is room for everyone”. It’s easy to be discouraged when showcasing your passion that’s shared by alot of other people, some who may have been doing it longer. But it doesn’t mean you don’t also belong in that space. Every single person and business has their own unique qualities, which is the beauty of it all. That way of thinking really helped me to not get too distract by others and stay true to myself and the path I’m creating. Another piece of advice was someone telling me to to “just start before you’re ready”, do the hard thing! For me that was calling markets for a spot to and sell my baked goods for the first time. I did not want to do it in fear of rejection…but Avoiding discomfort will always hold you back! Last thing, be kind to yourself and have some grace, you are learning so many things for the first time, be patient with yourself.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed when running any small business, particularly in the beginning to just get it going. There are days when I’ve felt I’ve lost momentum, and I begin to question my capabilities, worrying about the future. But what helps me is remembering that even the tiniest motions in your business help build up that momentum and progress in what you are doing. Even if that’s trying out a new recipe, or just reading cookbooks, and writing down a to do list for the next day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thebutterposy