Lockdowns Lead To Creative Business For Hoboken Kid, 6, And Mom

HOBOKEN, NJ — After Susan Goldman was furloughed from the fashion industry in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, the Hoboken mom and her 6-year-old daughter undertook an art project using Crayons — and then turned it into a business.

Now the pair sells their "Cre8ive Crayonz" in New Jersey and Philadelphia stores and via mail order.

"My daughter, Jessie, is the Cre8ive Director and helps to pop the crayons out of the molds," Goldman said this week. "[She] chooses new colorways and loves making videos detailing the Crayons. She will even help pack party favor orders."

The pair began selling their designs — such as crayons in the shape of letters or ice cream cones — in local shops like Little Hoboken and Hoboken Clique. The momtrepreneur and kidtrepreneur have now expanded to Pennsylvania shops and hope to sell in other stores.

They also began selling kits such as personalized name Crayons with custom notepads, and are working on t-shirts and party favors.

Last month, the company has celebrated its first anniversary.

"Starting your own business comes with many ups and downs," Susan wrote on Instagram. "There are tons of successes and mistakes to learn from along the way…Like realizing that it is ok not to have all the answers, and to ask lots of questions during your journey."

Came Out Of The Pandemic

Like other area families, she turned a labor of love into a business. She said she has not returned to her old job.

Goldman frequently updates her social media accounts, posting a fun story recently about starting a family later than many, and how it results to her business.

"I met my husband later in life," she wrote in April. "I was 38 and he was 43. We had known each other for many years living the single life in NYC. We had some friends in common but were never really friendly. In the winter of 2011, I had gone through a bad breakup and I was in a real funk. I went on Jdate.com in the spring just to look around ... I got a message on Facebook saying 'nice new J Date profile pic' from Michael. He knew through his friends I had recently broken up with someone and asked if I was ok ... our first date lasted 7 1/2 hours and the rest is history!"

She noted, "Starting a new business in the middle of a pandemic, waking up next to shipping supplies, helping to pack orders and living amongst lots of Crayons was probably not in his wildest imagination when 2020 began but he has helped in EVERY step of the way and both Jessie and I are grateful!"

The Crayons can be ordered at Goldman's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/cre8ivecrayonz

Or head to her website: Www.cre8ivecrayonz.com

Are you doing something creative in the Hoboken area? Or starting a business? Or just want to say hi? Email us at the address below.

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