In 2019, Kylee Salva was gifted a Cricut Explore cutting machine from a friend who wasn’t getting much use out of it. Little did Kylee know, this would lead to a new passion and ultimately, a career path. When Kylee began making ornaments and decals around Christmas time that year, her family and friends started requesting customized gifts. Kylee saw the potential income her craft could provide and was inspired to create Couture Kreations in January 2020.
When COVID-19 hit, Kylee was laid off from her legal office job and had the opportunity to devote time to expand her business. She started making and selling custom epoxy tumblers, which was a huge hit on social media. This eventually led her to sublimation drinkware products which are now the main focus of her business. “I can create anything and put it on a cup,” she says.
Having to constantly buy supplies to make her tumblers, Kylee soon realized she could save money by purchasing them wholesale. This led her to create another company, Mass Craft Supply, LLC, through which Kylee is able to supply herself. “Through my second business, I can purchase the supplies I need for Couture Kreations while helping other people in the business get the products they need at a fair price,” she says.
In 2023, Kylee outgrew her in-law’s basement workspace and signed a lease at Kilburn Mills in New Bedford. She uses the space to display products from both of her businesses. If you’re lucky enough to catch her while she’s in the studio, you can pick a cup and a design for her to either make on demand or pick up at a later time. She also takes orders on her website, www.couturekreations.com.
Kylee credits a lot of her success to social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. “I knew from the get-go that I had to make an online presence,” Kylee says. She committed to posting daily “behind the scenes” content on Instagram and quickly grew her Instagram follower count to 22,000. While she mainly uses Instagram for Couture Kreations, she has had success using TikTok to increase awareness of Mass Craft Supply.
Kylee’s success with social media actually led her to yet another business offshoot. She’s now helping other businesses create social media content for their own marketing efforts. “Businesses can either book me for a consultation to learn about social media best practices, or they can hire me to come in and actually create and schedule content,” she says.
Kylee hopes to work with more businesses through Couture Kreations as well. One of her short-term goals is to do more local wholesale orders and offer her products to businesses nationwide through an online redistributor. As of recent, Kylee has created products for Society Coffee Bar, Berkley Beer Company, Taunton Mayor Shauna O’Connell, and many local real estate offices, salons, and yoga studios. Based on demand for laser-engraved products, Kylee will soon be adding those to her product line as well.
Reflecting on her own journey to success, Kylee advises budding entrepreneurs to not give up, stay consistent and organized, and be comfortable getting their own face out there. “You are your brand,” she says. “People might not be liking and commenting on your social posts all the time, but they are watching. Whether you realize it or not, your business is always having some kind of impact on people.”
As a BankFive customer for more than 15 years, we are so proud to support Kylee’s growing businesses. You can find @CoutureKreations and @masscraftsupply on all social media platforms and order online at www.couturekreations.com and www.masscraftsupply.com.