Gratitude-Fueled Growth: How a Simple Hobby Turned Into a Mission to Empower Moms
- Nov 14
- 3 min read
By Jessy Culver
A few years ago, I was a mom of three little ones, craving something that was mine. Between nap times and never-ending to-do lists, I felt like I’d lost the version of myself who used to dream, create, and feel proud of something outside of motherhood.
That’s when I discovered hand embroidery.
It started as a small hobby, something quiet and creative that gave me a moment to breathe. But what I didn’t expect was how deeply it would change me. Stitch by stitch, it became my form of self-care and a daily reminder to slow down and be present.
Over time, I realized so many moms felt the same way I did. They were missing a hobby, something just for themselves in the chaos of motherhood. That’s when I knew my calling wasn’t to sell embroidered pieces, it was to help other moms find peace and purpose through this creative outlet. That’s how Little Hooligans Embroidery was born.
Little Hooligans Embroidery is more than a business, it’s a place for moms to reconnect with themselves through creativity.
Today, I’ve taught over 10,000 women how to embroider on clothing, and more importantly, how to find themselves again through creativity. Gratitude has been the foundation of it all. It’s what keeps me grounded when life gets busy and fuels my purpose as both a mother and a business owner.
Leading With Gratitude
When I first started my business, I thought leadership meant hustle. But I quickly learned that true leadership comes from gratitude: gratitude for your people, your progress, and even your challenges.
I lead my community with appreciation at the center. Whether it’s celebrating a student’s first finished embroidery piece or a mom who finally made time for herself again, I make it a point to slow down and recognize the small wins.
Those moments of acknowledgment create ripple effects. I see confidence grow, creativity flow, and women start believing in themselves again. That’s what gratitude does: it multiplies joy and fuels connection.
Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
There have been plenty of hard seasons. Running a business while raising three kids isn’t easy. There were days when I doubted myself or questioned if I was doing enough, both as a mom and as an entrepreneur.
But every time I felt discouraged, I came back to gratitude. Gratitude for the flexibility to be home with my kids. Gratitude for the women who trusted me with their creative journey. Gratitude for the chance to show my children what it looks like to chase your dreams with kindness and courage.
Those moments of reflection turned challenges into lessons, and lessons into opportunities to serve others better.
Empowering Moms to Chase Their Dreams
As Little Hooligans Embroidery grew, I started seeing another need: moms who fell in love with embroidery and wanted to start businesses of their own. That inspired me to expand my work beyond stitching.
I launched Little Hooligans Academy, where I teach moms how to take creative passions—like embroidery, painting, or crocheting—and turn them into profitable, family-friendly businesses. It’s a full-circle moment: I went from finding my own purpose through embroidery to helping other women do the same.
A Season of Thanks
When I look back, the thread that ties everything together is gratitude. I’m grateful for the still moments embroidery gave me, for the community it built, for the chance to lead with love, and most importantly, for the time I’ve been able to spend with my family because of the businesses I’ve built.
Gratitude has taught me that leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about showing up with authenticity, celebrating others, and recognizing how far we’ve come, even while we’re still in the middle of the journey.
This season of thanks, I’m especially grateful for the women who’ve trusted me to guide them, and for the reminder that we can chase our dreams while chasing our babies. We don’t have to choose.
Connect With Jessy
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