Today we’d like to introduce you to Makenzie Brito.
Hi Makenzie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Makenzie and I’m an elementary school teacher and full-time doctorate student living in the San Diego area with my fiancé, six cats, four chickens, four ducks, and tortoise!
This all started with a fun, spare-time hobby, creating disco pieces for my own home, and has evolved into a beautiful collection of various disco-themed home goods, accent pieces, vases, planters and pots, candle holders, trinket tray, earrings, and more! It all started about a year and a half ago, during my summer break from teaching. I was looking to purchase some disco decor for my home and found myself frustrated with the lack of fun and quality, yet affordable disco goodies on the market. After creating a few pieces, I fell in love with the therapeutic nature of creating with this medium and giving new life to seemingly simple objects through a sparkly, disco transformation. It wasn’t long before I simply had too many pieces for use in my own space, and I decided to branch out, take the dive, and try my hand at being a small business owner, expanding my craft to the local community.
Now, it’s been a little over a year since my first market, bringing Disco Treasures to life in San Diego, and I could’ve never anticipated the love, support, and community that has resulted since! Every day I am truly so grateful for the ways in which this passion project of mine has blossomed into something so beautiful and fulfilling!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, I’ve been super fortunate to have a pretty smooth road thus far and for this I’m so grateful! The past year and a half of being a small business owner has mainly brought about some growing pains and minor challenges as I grow into this role and continue to build my brand and business. For example, figuring out which local maker’s markets or storefronts are the best fit for my art, or learning how to properly budget for certain aspects of the business have been a few prominent lessons I’ve learned so far!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create handmade disco goodies of all kinds – from disco planters and vases, to life-sized disco Steph Curry jerseys, to disco earrings and more! I start by either thrifting or “treasure hunting” for fun items, or build them myself from materials like clay or styrofoam. Then, I paint each item, then glue and place mirror tiles on the piece. Once the piece is sufficiently covered in tiles, I cut smaller pieces to fill gaps as needed, then conclude the process by cleaning the piece and removing all glue residue. It’s a labor of love, but it’s so much fun watching the transformation unfold!
I’m definitely most known for bringing lots of sparkle and shine to local markets!
I’m most proud of the growth that both myself and my business have seen in the past year and a half since this all began and the ways that’s I’ve adapted throughout this process, both in regards to myself and my artistic craft.
I would say that what sets me apart most from others is the materials that I work with – it’s rare to see another “disco artist” at local markets!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My biggest supporters that have played a huge role in my growth and success since starting my small business include my fiancé, my sister, my mom, and a handful of friends that have all been there for me throughout every step of the way! From offering feedback and ideas, providing words of encouragement when I need it most, to showing up for me at local markets and events – I’m so grateful for the support of my friends and family!
A very special shoutout to my fiancé Dan for giving me the initial loving push I needed to get this passion project started, and for being my market set-up and tear-down crew!
Pricing:
- Disco Frames – $15-40
- Disco Vases – $25-115
- Disco Earrings – $10-25
- Disco Planters – $20-$115
- Disco Accent Pieces – $45-$250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://daintydiscotreasures.etsy.com/
- Instagram: @discotreasures
- Other: @discotreasures
