Interview with Candy Tarp - Sew Many Ties & More + GIVEAWAY!!

I had the pleasure of first meeting Candy at the 2009 Junior League Holiday Market. Over the past few months, we've been able to get to know each other through Facebook. Candy is a fire underwriter for State Farm Insurance during the day, but she makes the cutest onesies and burp cloths at night. She's married to her best friend and they have an adorable son, Keller.

Isn't he cute?

You'll see below that Candy is a very family-oriented woman, but she's also very creative. I just love her work and I'm excited to share it with you all today. Be sure to check out the giveaway at the bottom of the post, where you can have a chance to win one of Candy's famous onesies!

Here's my interview with Candy.

Candy's Favorites

Movie: Bourne Identity
TV Show: Biggest Loser, Big Brother, Project Runway and Survivor
Website: Etsy
In your free time, what do you love to do?
I love spending time with my little boy and husband. We love being outside...going for walks, running and spending time by the pool. Also, I enjoy going to church and hanging out with my wonderful friends. In the fall, my husband and I are consumed by college football (we're both OU grads).

About Sew Many Ties & More


What inspired you to start Sew Many Ties?
Sew Many Ties was created by accident. When I was pregnant everyone told me not to buy newborn clothes because babies grow so fast. My little one, Keller, was tiny when he was born and we had no clothes to fit him. I didn't want to buy all new clothes, so I started making him tie onesies instead. My friends at church asked me to make their kids onesies and their toddlers t-shirts and as a result Sew Many Ties was born.


How do you promote Sew Many Ties?
I try to promote my work through Facebook via the Sew Many Ties photo album on my personal Facebook page. Also, I sell my items in two gift stores in town, Liv A Little Boutique in Jenks and the Baby Emporium in Broken Arrow. If you're in the area, check out the stores!


What's your favorite item in your product line?
I love the tie onesies because it reminds me how I started Sew Many Ties. Plus, it's so hard to find cute things for boys. I enjoy making tutus as well though. Girly things are fun to make and there are so many exciting colors and fabrics for girls.


What's your long time goal with Sew Many Ties?
I would LOVE to make enough money with Sew Many Ties to one day stay at home with my kids and be creative through my designs.


What advice would you give someone who's starting a business?
I would consider the investment – both time and money and only start a business if you find it fun. I love Sew Many Ties because it's more of a hobby than a business. I really don't consider it work.


How do readers get in touch with you for questions or place an order?
People can visit my Facebook page (Candy Tarp) or e-mail me at sewmanyties@hotmail.com.


To enter the giveaway: Click here and visit the Sew Many Ties photo album on Facebook. Then, leave a comment here telling me which onesie design you like the best. If you tweet/facebook/blog about this giveaway, leave an additional comment and you'll receive an extra entry. The contest will close Thursday, June 17 at 11:59 p.m. central time. The winner will be selected at random with random.org on Friday, June 18.

Thanks for reading and entering, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the interview. I'll be sharing additional interviews with local entrepreneurs in the upcoming weeks.