Designs Inspired by Sports, Animals and History

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business Spotlight.

Small Business Spotlight: Rebecca Ray Designs

Who: Rebecca Yuhasz Smith @RebeccaRayDsn

What: A home and fashion accessories brand with a sporting flair created in Ohio’s Amish country

Where: Chagrin Falls, Ohio

When: 1998

How: Smith began her home business in 1998, working as an interior designer and creating handbags as a hobby. Today, her collection includes everything from bracelets to luggage tags and is sold online and at more than 300 fine retailers.

Smith’s designs, which are inspired by the sporting lifestyle and vintage trinkets she has collected over the years, are handmade in Ohio by members of the Amish community. The products are created using traditional methods of production, including no electricity, relying on treadle-powered sewing machines and steam fuel.

Quote from the business owner: Smith is a self-described “Driven, type-A personality who immensely enjoys a challenge and every aspect of her very busy, diverse life. I have so many responsibilities but I love every one of them. I feel that I have a lot to give which is the reason my life is a constant whirlwind… in a good way.”