Kayla Ann Coleman’s grandmother Barbara taught her how to use an embroidery machine when Coleman was twelve years old. “My grandmother has embroidered since I was a child. I remember hitting the start button for her and picking out colors when I was little,” she recalled. “I am currently a college student and a mom. When my grandmother approached me to learn this skill, I could not pass it up. Her knowledge that she has passed onto me and seeing her light up every time I come up with a new design makes me that much more driven.”
Coleman is applying those skills in her new small shop, Little Shop of Mayhem. “I started Little Shop of Mayhem at the beginning of May 2019,” she shared. “When I had my first baby in May 2018, I realized how hard it is to find cute boy clothes. My family has had embroidery machines all of my life, so I started just making my son Atlas things. After hearing reviews from others, I decided to put my ideas out for business.” The shop name is play on Coleman’s soon-to-be-married name, Mahan. “It gets mispronounced often and one of the funniest ways is when people say ‘Mayhem,’” Coleman laughed. “When I was thinking of a name, I wanted something cute but chaotic because that also explains our life with an adventurous one year old.”
Little Shop of Mayhem offers kid-sized custom t-shirts, shorts, tanks, rompers, bathing suits and dresses. “My favorite design I have done so far is my Toy Story design because, let’s be real, I was extremely excited to watch the new movie,” said Coleman. “But, my most popular style is probably my monogrammed swimsuits.” I think the colorful embroidered and applique designs really elevate the apparel sold by the shop. “I am extremely passionate about embroidery and designing. I do not want to be an assembly line shop where everything looks the same because our children are not the same,” she explained. “I want to make your children a piece that brings that spark of excitement in their eyes because the piece is made for specially for them with their favorite characters or their names. I don’t want to be generic.” Many of the shop’s designs are inspired by Coleman’s son Atlas and his preferences. “Also, I often hear moms talk about the struggle of finding cute clothes for their children. I like to make affordable options that fit their wants.”
With fall just on the horizon now, Coleman is getting excited for a release of new designs. “If you are from the south like me, football is a huge deal,” she exclaimed. “Plus, this is my first holiday season selling. I have a family Christmas onesie pre-order already open and I am hoping to see them in many of my customer’s family pictures.” Order your own custom design through the Little Shop of Mayhem’s VIP Facebook group here and follow the shop on Instagram to see examples of past custom designs.
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