The Story Behind Simply Plourde and the Mom Who Built It One Bead at a Time

Cait Plourde

Motherhood has a way of changing how you see your time, your work, and even your sense of identity. For Cait Plourde, that shift happened in 2023 when she welcomed her first daughter and stepped away from a career as a Memory Care Director and Registered Pharmacy Technician. Staying home with her baby was something she deeply valued, but she also knew she needed a creative outlet that allowed her to keep building and creating while being present for her family.

During those quiet pockets of time that come with new motherhood, Cait began experimenting with ideas that would eventually grow into Simply Plourde. What started with digital designs soon turned into something more hands-on. She began creating handmade beaded keychains, pens, and wristlets that customers could personalize and make their own.

Since then, Simply Plourde has grown through pop-ups, retail partnerships, and interactive bead bar experiences where people can gather, create, and leave with something meaningful. Now based in Colorado Springs after relocating from Florida, Cait is continuing to grow the brand while balancing life with two young children. 

In this exclusive interview with pvmmag.com, Cait opens up about starting a business during maternity leave, finding purpose in creativity, and why building community is at the heart of everything she creates. 

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Simply Plourde Co. was born during your maternity leave in 2023. What was that moment like, and what was it about that chapter that made you decide, "I have to start this now"?

Cait Plourde: Simply Plourde was born during one of the most transformative seasons of my life. Becoming a mom shifted everything for me. I was incredibly blessed that my husband’s job allowed me to stay home with our daughter without needing to rush back into the workforce. But I also knew I couldn’t go from being a Memory Care Director and Registered Pharmacy Technician to what felt like nothing. 

I knew that if I was going to stay home and stay mentally healthy through postpartum and the identity shift of motherhood, I would need something that gave me purpose outside of just checking boxes during the day. I needed something that allowed me to build, create, and grow while still being fully present for my baby girl and family. Starting Simply Plourde was about identity and balance. 

It was about honoring the part of me that thrives on working hard while stepping into motherhood. That “I have to start this now” moment came from knowing I needed something that was mine, something I could build during nap times, late nights, and in between the chaos of motherhood.

Your business evolved from digital prints into handmade beaded items like keychains and pens. What inspired that shift from the digital world to something tangible and handcrafted?

Cait: I loved creating digital products. I still do. Designing worksheets, invitations, social graphics, and business materials for others was fulfilling in many ways and still is continuing today. I could sit at my dining room table (small house, no office room), work through ideas, send mockups, and check tasks off my list. But something felt off, like something was missing. At the end of the day, even when I had accomplished a lot, I didn’t feel like I had physically given anything to anyone. 

Everything lived on a screen. I craved something more hands-on, something tangible that people could hold, gift, or carry with them. Yet feeling like a print shop didn't fit the mold for me. The shift to beaded creations changed everything for me. Creating something from individual beads and turning it into a finished product felt fun and personal. I love it when someone orders a custom piece and gets to be part of the creative process. 

With digital work, clients would often choose between a few mockups I designed. With beaded pieces, I get to see their personality, their colors, and their ideas come alive in a different way. It feels collaborative and heartfelt. That connection, for me as the creator and for the person receiving the piece, is what made the handmade side of Simply Plourde truly click.

You've said your brand is "about blending creativity, motherhood, and community." How does being a founder and a mom influence your design choices and the business's overall mission?

Cait: Motherhood influences everything I create; it has made me more intentional with my time and more thoughtful about what truly serves families in real life. I design with both beauty and function in mind. Pieces have to be cute, but they also have to hold up in diaper bags, busy mornings, and everyday chaos. Being a mom also deepened my heart for community. 

I know how important connection and creativity are, especially in seasons like postpartum. That is why my bead bars and custom pieces are not just about the product. They are about bringing people together and creating something personal and meaningful for yourself and your family.

The "interactive bead bar experiences" sound like a fantastic way to engage. Can you describe what a bead bar event is, and what you hope attendees take away from that creative time together?

Cait: Our Simply Plourde bead bar is an interactive and themed creative experience where guests build their own silicone beaded product from start to finish. Each event is centered around a theme. We have done everything from Easter and Fourth of July to Disney princess, Marvel superhero, and even a Fruit Ninja-inspired birthday party. At the bar, guests choose from a variety of silicone charms that match the theme, along with colorful silicone round and printed beads. 

They can design their own keychain, beaded pen, or bookmark, and for private classes, we also offer items like wine stoppers, corkscrews, and bottle openers. Unlike our retail products, bead bar pieces are made on metal hardware, which makes the experience feel elevated and custom. 

What I love most is that there is no right or wrong at the bead bar. 

It is about creativity and having fun. I want attendees to walk away with something that reminds them of a fun memory with friends, or something meaningful they can gift to someone special, or even themselves.

You built a strong foundation with retail partnerships and pop-ups in Florida. What's the key lesson you learned during those early days of connecting with local communities?

Cait: I learned that small businesses grow through relationships. Pop-ups and retail partnerships were not just about selling products. They were about meeting people, building trust, and becoming part of a local community. Some of my best opportunities came simply from showing up, talking to other business owners, and supporting one another. When small businesses collaborate instead of competing, everyone benefits.

Relocating and expanding the business from Florida to Colorado Springs is a huge undertaking. What have been the biggest challenges and most exciting discoveries in building a presence in a new market?

Cait: The biggest challenge has honestly been starting over. In Florida, I had spent time building relationships through pop-ups, retail partnerships, and local events, so the community around Simply Plourde felt really established. Moving to Colorado meant rebuilding those connections from the ground up. On top of the move to Colorado, I was also postpartum with our second baby, so the last six months have been a big season of transition for our family business. 

There have definitely been moments of imposter syndrome as I navigate starting again in a new place, but I keep reminding myself that building a community takes time. What has been really exciting is seeing that people here in Colorado are genuinely interested and excited about what I create. Every new connection and opportunity reminds me that Simply Plourde still has room to grow in this new chapter.

How do you ensure each piece—from a keychain to a wristlet—feels "thoughtfully designed" and reflects meaningful detail for your customers?

Cait: For me thoughtful design starts with imagining the person who might pick up the piece. Even when something is not a custom order, I am always thinking about colors, themes, and combinations that people will connect with. I spend a lot of time pairing beads, charms, and patterns so each piece feels balanced. Sometimes that means creating designs around seasons, hobbies, or fun themes, and other times it is simply choosing color combinations that feel cheerful, fun, and wearable every day.

Running a small business requires so many hats. What part of the process—beading, marketing, event hosting—do you enjoy the most, and which is the toughest?

Cait: The part I enjoy the most is definitely the creative side, but I also really love hosting events. Designing new pieces and pairing beads and charms is something I genuinely enjoy, but bringing the bead bar to events and meeting people in person is just as exciting. I love seeing people get creative, connect with others, and leave with something they made themselves. The toughest part is balancing all the roles that come with running a small business while also being a mom. 

There are days when I am the designer, marketer, event planner, and customer service team all at once. I also think many makers learn along the way how to confidently stand behind handmade work in a world where people often compare it to mass-produced items. For me, that has been a learning experience, but it has also made me appreciate the creativity that goes into every beaded piece.

With your prior experience in social media management, how do you approach telling the Simply Plourde Co. story online and standing out in a crowded space?

Cait: My background in social media management has taught me how important storytelling and community are when building a brand online. While Simply Plourde has grown a lot through in-person events, pop-ups, and retail partnerships, I try to bring that same sense of personality and creativity into the online space as well. 

Social media is less about perfection and more about showing the heart behind the business. Whether it is sharing new designs, upcoming bead bar events, or the creative process behind what I make, my goal is to help people feel connected to the brand and the story behind it.

What's the biggest dream you have for Simply Plourde Co. over the next few years? Are there any new products or experiences on the horizon?

Cait: Over the next few years, my biggest goal is to continue growing Simply Plourde here in Colorado and building the same kind of community connections that helped the business thrive in Florida. Events, partnerships, and bead bar experiences have always been a big part of the brand, and I am excited to continue expanding those opportunities. There are also a few new products and ideas on the horizon that I have been slowly developing. I love experimenting with new designs and creative concepts, so I am excited!

Looking ahead, I am also open to expanding the brand beyond beads. I have experience in areas like social media management for small businesses, and maybe as Simply Plourde continues to grow, there may even be opportunities for the brand to evolve or expand into additional creative services

If you could give one piece of advice to another creative or "mom-preneur" thinking about launching their passion project, what would it be?

Cait: My biggest piece of advice would be to surround yourself with a strong support system. There will be moments when you doubt yourself, when things feel overwhelming, or when balancing motherhood and running a business feels like a ton of bricks on your chest. I have learned along the way that sometimes the people you expect to support you may not always be the ones who show up, and you have to be okay with it. It is okay. 

Often your biggest encouragement comes from unexpected places, whether that is new friends, customers, or other small business owners. Give yourself grace, lean on the people who believe in what you are building, and do not let discouragement stop you from pursuing something you are passionate about.

Where can people in Colorado Springs—and online—find your products and join one of your bead bar experiences?

Cait: Online, people can find Simply Plourde through our website and on social media through Instagram and Facebook. Locally in Colorado Springs, our products are available at Hidden Gems in the University Village Colorado shopping center (N. Nevada Ave, Suite 120, Colorado Springs, CO 80918) and at HOTWORX on Dublin (7636 Dublin Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80923). 

For those in Florida, Simply Plourde pieces can also be found at Chilly Spoons Frozen Yogurt in Suntree (4980 N Wickham Rd, Suite 106, Melbourne, FL 32940) and at Indialantic Coffee in Indialantic (121 5th Ave, Indialantic, FL 32903).

Bead bar events and pop-ups are announced on our social media pages, where people can also find updates on upcoming events and new products.