Meet Belinda West: One Crazy Grandma/Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Belinda West and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Belinda, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe in taking care of my customers. They have come to know me as someone who creates a reliable product and that will go the extra mile for them should they have a special request, You also have to be consistent not only with your products, but as a vendor/creator. No one wants to buy from someone who may or may not be here tomorrow. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am proud to say that I make everything that I sell. There’s not a lot of people out there that can say that these days, What started out as a side project is now my main source of income. It has taken me nearly 6 years to get here, but here I am. There have been struggles along the way. Trying to decide whether or not to continue on, or maybe just adjust the direction in which I was heading. I have learned to trust my instincts and follow my heart. It may sound a bit cliche, but it is still true. I search for unusual fabrics and patterns, and if it appeals to me, maybe it will also appeal to my customers. I try and make every piece as if I were making it for myself. If it is not made well enough for me, then it is not made well enough to sell to someone else. I would not feel right about taking someone’s money for something that was not well made. I believe in producing items that make people customers for life, not just for a single sale.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend has visited many times, and we try and do something a little different each time. We have visited the Stockyards in north Fort Worth, Toured Billy Bob’s, ate lunch at the Cattleman’s, went through the museums and shops that are there, We have had dinner at Uncle Julio’s and had the chocolate pinata for dessert! We have wandered through the Water Gardens in downtown Fort Worth, toured Cowboy Stadium and the previous Rangers Ball Park. We have done 5ks through Trinity Park, around the medical district and are planning out next outing in the arts district with visits to Amon Carter Museum and the Kimball Arts Museum, and possibly even visit the Fort Worth Zoo. There is such a variety of things to do here, there is no way to ever see them all.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Over the years, I have had family and friends that have kept me going, even when I wondered if I was doing the right thing, It is to them that I would like to say “Thank you!” for keeping me smiling and heading in the right direction.

Website: www.onecrazygrandma.com
Facebook: @onecrazygrandma1