We recently had the chance to connect with Brittany Hicks and have shared our conversation below.
Brittany, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes, I would hire me. Not because I believe I have every answer, but because I know I am the type of person who will do whatever it takes to figure them out. I am resourceful, adaptable, and genuinely invested in the success of anything I put my name on. Running a creative business has pushed me to wear many hats: designer, organizer, marketer, and customer service lead. I approach each role with care, consistency, and heart.
I would hire me because I show up fully. I do not wait for perfect conditions, instruction, or ideal timing. If something needs to be built, learned, or solved, I will dive in, stay late, ask questions, and find a way forward.
Most of all, I would hire me because I believe character matters. Skills can be taught. Integrity, work ethic, empathy, and follow-through are qualities a person either has or does not. Those are traits I am proud to bring to any job or collaboration.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brittany Hicks and I am one half of A & B Creations, a sister run small business built on meaningful, personalized artistry. What began as a creative outlet has grown into a thriving handmade brand specializing in paper flower shadow boxes, custom shaped floral creations, pet wear, seasonal pieces, and heartfelt gifts that help people celebrate life’s moments.
What sets our work apart is the intention behind it. Every item is designed to feel personal, whether it honors someone special, marks a milestone, or simply brings joy to someone’s home. I take pride in knowing our creations often become keepsakes with emotional value.
My initial focus was traditional shadow boxes filled with handcrafted paper flowers, but this year I have expanded into shaped designs such as gingerbread men for the holidays, which has opened new ways to bring creativity to life.
Today Amber concentrates on pet accessories and fabric pieces while I focus on custom design development and growing our seasonal offerings. Together we continue to attend markets, expand our collections, and cultivate a supportive community that values handmade craftsmanship.
We are currently preparing new releases for upcoming shows and looking forward to growing our reach in the year ahead.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the most about work. Both served in the Navy, and from an early age I saw what discipline, commitment, and follow-through looked like in real life. They led by example, showing me that work is not only about skill, but about responsibility, attitude, and integrity.
In our family, a strong work ethic is almost instinctive. I grew up understanding that you show up, you do the job well, and you take pride in how you contribute. Because of that foundation I have been called a work horse more than once, and honestly, I embrace the description. I am driven, I am reliable, and I do not shy away from the effort required to reach a goal.
The lessons my parents modeled have shaped how I approach A & B Creations and anything else I commit to. Their example taught me resilience, accountability, and the importance of leading with character, and I carry those values with me every day.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
There have been moments where the weight of everything felt very heavy. Balancing a demanding full-time career, a growing creative business, and a schedule filled with markets, late nights, and deadlines has tested me more than once. There were seasons where it felt like I was running on empty, wondering if all the effort was truly worth it.
But what always stops me from giving up is the impact of this work. The messages I receive from customers who treasure their shadow boxes, the stories about someone’s pet wearing our bandana at a wedding, or the person who says our creation brought comfort or joy to their home. Those moments are powerful reminders of why I do this.
The truth is that entrepreneurship is not glamorous. It is messy, tiring, and deeply personal. But it is also deeply meaningful. Every time I have questioned whether to keep going, something nudges me back: a breakthrough idea, an amazing show outcome, or a customer who reminds me why our work matters.
So yes, there were moments that tested me, but I never stayed in that place for long. It is not in my nature or in my family’s DNA to walk away from something important. I push through, I reset, and I keep building, because this business is bigger than a product. It is a purpose.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would tell you that people matter to me. They would say I care deeply about the way I show up for others, whether it is in my work, my relationships, or the way I interact with customers. They know I invest my heart into the things and the people I believe in.
They would probably also laugh and say I find joy in celebrating others. Milestones, holidays, pets, weddings, new babies, or “just because” moments — I light up when I get to create something that honors someone else. That is why A & B Creations feels so natural to me. It is another way I get to pour care into people’s lives.
And they would absolutely tell you that work ethic matters to me. They see the long nights, the weekends in my craft room, the show set ups, and the constant drive to build something meaningful. They know that when I commit to something, I commit fully.
At the end of the day, my friends would say I value connection, purpose, and the chance to make someone’s day a little brighter. That is what keeps me grounded and what continues to fuel this business.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I made them feel seen. That I showed up for people in ways that mattered, whether through friendship, the way I served my community, or the pieces I created for their homes.
I hope the story people tell is that I used my creativity to bring comfort, joy, and celebration to others. That my work was not just decorative, but meaningful. That it marked occasions, honored memories, and held space for love.
I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard, not just for achievement, but for purpose. Someone who lifted others, encouraged them, and believed in them.
If people look back and say their lives were brighter because of something I made or something I said, then that is the legacy I would be proud of. At the end of the day it is not success that matters most to me, but impact.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @AandBCreationsSD
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AandBCreationsSD
Image Credits
Dog in Peppermint Bow Tie: @kevin_the_sdpoodle
All other photos taken by Brittany Hicks & Amber Welch
