Small Maker Spotlight: Celebrating PRIDE Month with That's So Andrew

We’re excited to bring you the next Maker Spotlight in our Small Maker Series, where we get to introduce you to some of our fellow creatives, small business owners, and entrepreneurs from the DC area and beyond. In each blog feature, they’ll share a bit about their story, the products they create, and the culture and experiences that inspire their work. 

In celebration of Pride Month, we are featuring Andrew of That's So Andrew — a fellow artist and maker based in Monroe, WA whose work is inspired by community, visibility, and the joy of relatability.

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MEET ANDREW FROM THAT'S SO ANDREW

1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your brand?

Hey, I'm Andrew! I started That's So Andrew in 2019 out of my dad's garage as a mug company. Since then, it's grown into a stationery and gift brand known for funny, snarky products that make people laugh and feel seen. The business helped me find my voice as both a queer creator and entrepreneur, and today our products can be found in over 500 stores, including retailers like Urban Outfitters and Spencer's.

2. That's So Andrew has a very clear point of view. It's bold, progressive, and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. How did you find that voice as an entrepreneur, and was there a specific moment that you decided to really lean into it? 

I started That's So Andrew when I was 21, and at that point I was still figuring out who I was. My identity as a queer man was just beginning, and creating products became a form of journaling for me. The things I was designing reflected what I was feeling, learning, and experiencing in real time. As the brand grew, so did my confidence. Over time, I realized that the products people connected with most were the ones that felt the most authentic to me. There wasn't one specific moment where I decided to lean into my identity... it was more of a slow process of becoming comfortable enough to show up as my authentic self. After all, the brand is called That's So Andrew. My queerness is an integral part of who I am, so it naturally became an integral part of the brand as well. The more authentic I became, the clearer the brand's vision has become as well.

3. You have an Associates degree in Baking & Culinary Arts, which feels like a fun plot twist for a gift + stationery entrepreneur. Has that background influenced your creative process or business mindset in any way?

Oh, there's a lot of lore behind this one! To keep the backstory short, my very first business was called Andrew's Bake Sale, which I started when I was 14. At the time, I dreamed of going to pastry school in Paris! Looking back, my time in the baking industry taught me so much about entrepreneurship. It's where I learned the foundation of product pricing, production efficiency, labor costs,, and customer service. Those lessons have carried over directly into running That's So Andrew. I think every stage of my entrepreneurial journey has taught me something valuable, even if it wasn't where I ultimately ended up. The funny part is that I actually quit baking the day I graduated with my Associate's degree. After spending years turning my hobby into a job, I took nearly 6 years away from it before I found my way back to baking simply for the joy of it again.

4. Opening a brick-and-mortar storefront is a big move for any business. What was the moment you decided to go for it, and what has having a space of your own meant for you and That's So Andrew? 

The storefront honestly feels a little bit like an accident. What was intended as a pop-up concept quickly evolved into a year-round brick-and-mortar store. It wasn't necessarily part of some grand master plan, but it ended up becoming one of the best decisions I've made. Having a physical space has allowed me to connect with my community in a way that selling online never could. There's something really special about being able to welcome people through the door, host events, and proudly fly a Pride flag in the window on our historic Main Street in my rather hick-ish hometown. On a more practical note, it also got the That's So Andrew inventory and warehouse out of my living room. Having a dedicated fulfillment space felt like a real "pinch me" moment. For years, My team and I were packing orders from home, so being able to walk into a space that existed because of something I built was incredibly rewarding. The store has become more than just a retail space... it's a community hub and a reminder of how far the business has come.

5. As we celebrate Pride, what does this month mean to you personally,  and what do you want people to take away when something from That's So Andrew lands in their hands? 

To sum up what Pride means in just a few words is not an easy feat. For me, Pride is a time to uplift LGBTQ+ voices, celebrate the people making an impact in their communities, and reflect on how much progress has been made... while also recognizing how far there still is to go. I feel incredibly grateful for the trans and queer activists who came before me and made it possible for someone like me to build a business that shows up so openly. When someone receives a That's So Andrew product, my hope is that they feel seen. Whether it's joy, a laugh, or just a small moment of relatability.

6. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your brand or business? Anything coming up you want our readers to check out?

If you’re local to the greater Seattle area, we’d love to see you in the store! We recently launched a new community workshop space, which is now available for private rentals and events—something we’re really excited to grow into as a hub for creativity and connection. We also have Stationery Store Day coming up in August, which is always a really fun moment for us to celebrate independent stationery shops. There are some exciting things planned in-store that we can’t wait to share.

P.S. Our store is called The Monitor Mercantile, namesake after the history of our building. Our building used to host our local newspaper, which funny enough, is the first place I was ever interviewed for a local news article!

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The Monitor Mercantile is located at 113 W. Main Street Monroe, WA 98272.  They're open Thursday through Saturday from 11AM to 6PM.  Keep up with Andrew on Instagram @themonitormercantile or visit his website for upcoming releases, workshops, and events.

We’re so glad to celebrate Andrew's story this Pride Month. Stay tuned for our next feature in our Small Maker Series as we continue highlighting makers who continue to inspire us everyday.

Thanks for reading!