Sometimes a business begins with a plan.

And sometimes, it begins with one tumbler made just for yourself.

For Sierra Nash, the creative heart behind Nash Designs 86, that single tumbler became the beginning of something much bigger than she expected. What started as a personal project quickly caught the attention of friends and family. Compliments turned into questions. Questions turned into requests. Before long, Sierra’s creative hobby had become something people were genuinely asking for.

In April 2020, during one of the most uncertain seasons many of us have ever lived through, Nash Designs 86 officially became a business.

It was not the easiest time to start. The world was shifting. Families were adjusting. Small businesses everywhere were navigating unknowns. But Sierra kept creating. She kept learning. She kept finding ways to turn simple ideas into something meaningful, useful, and personal.

At first, Nash Designs 86 focused on custom tumblers. But as the business grew, so did the possibilities. Sierra’s husband helped bring her wood project ideas to life. Her mom introduced a laser engraver, opening the door to custom engraved cutting boards, coasters, leather hat patches, personalized gifts, and more. Her daughters became part of the process too, helping with freshies, custom pens, and custom shirts when they could.

What began as one woman making something for herself slowly became a family-run creative business.

And that family piece is at the center of Sierra’s why.

“It’s simple,” Sierra shares. “My why is my family. This business helps to make ends meet, so that the worry isn’t fully on one person.”

Behind every small business is a story most people never fully see. The late nights. The long hours. The trial and error. The seasons of doubt. The moments when the work is not just about creativity, but about helping support a household, building something steady, and carrying hope through uncertain times.

For Sierra, Nash Designs 86 has been all of that.

Today, the business offers a wide range of custom work, including embroidery, sewing projects, 3D printing, laser engraving, custom invitations, logo design, personalized gifts, apparel, signage, and one-of-a-kind creations. From acrylic and wooden signs to custom checkout signs for fellow small business owners, Sierra helps people bring their ideas to life in tangible, personal ways.

Her work is creative, but more than that, it is personal.

“I love helping bring ideas to life and creating products that tell a story, celebrate a milestone, or simply make someone smile,” she says.

That is the beauty of custom work. It is rarely just about the item itself. A sign may represent a dream someone is finally building. A shirt may mark a special day. A gift may hold a memory. A logo may make a business feel real for the very first time. A personalized piece may say what ordinary store-bought items cannot: this was made with you in mind.

Sierra understands the heart behind those orders.

Each project becomes an opportunity to help someone celebrate, promote, remember, or personalize something that matters to them. And over time, those projects have become more than transactions. They have become relationships.

“One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been the relationships I’ve built along the way,” Sierra shares. “Many people who initially came to me as customers have become genuine friends.”

That was something she never expected when she first started making tumblers. What began as conversations about custom orders often turned into lasting connections. The business became a place where creativity and community met, where customers became supporters, and where supporters became friends.

For Sierra, that connection is priceless.

Of course, she loves creating products. She loves watching an idea become something real. But the friendships, the encouragement, and the community built through Nash Designs 86 have become some of the most meaningful parts of the journey.

The business has grown through imagination, hard work, family support, and perseverance. It has grown through challenges and uncertainty. It has grown through the belief that a small idea can become something special when it is cared for well.

“With a little imagination and a lot of hard work, a simple idea can grow into something truly special,” Sierra says.

That line feels like the heart of Nash Designs 86.

Because this is not just a story about tumblers, signs, engraving, embroidery, or custom gifts. It is a story about what can happen when creativity becomes a way to support your family, connect with your community, and build something with the people you love.

Sierra’s husband, mom, daughters, friends, customers, and community have all played a role in helping Nash Designs 86 become what it is today. That shared support has made the work even more meaningful.

Being able to create alongside the people she loves while building something lasting is part of what makes Nash Designs 86 more than a business. It is a reflection of family. Of resilience. Of creativity. Of showing up, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

And maybe that is the most beautiful thing about it.

Nash Designs 86 did not begin with a perfect plan.

It began with one tumbler.

One idea.

One spark.

And with a little imagination, a lot of hard work, and a family standing behind it, that spark grew into something truly special.

Nash Designs 86
Cuero, Texas, United States
www.nashdesigns86.com
Instagram: @NashDesigns86