Name: Graysi Gartman Ethridge
Age: 28
City: Fairhope, Alabama
Side Hustle: Garnish. While Garnish is an ever-evolving side hustle, the ideology behind it is consistent and what I do my best to stay true to. The idea is all things extra- the details. Services offered include but are not limited to: helping to create details that a host, bride, or celebrator may envision but may not know where or how to execute, printing novelty items and helping to make small moments or big events that much more memorable and polished with cohesive details, and making the unrealistic become feasible realities.
How did you get started?: I have been developing this concept since I began planning our wedding last year and finally started launching Garnish in phases. I have known all my life, but realized even more during our wedding & engagement, that attention to the smallest details is what makes something count. The cherry on top, the icing on the cake, the zest…. you get the picture- the GARNISH! My family has always been great at celebrating and making even the smallest moments feel like great ones. To me, Garnish isn’t just a sprig of greenery on a plate, or a twist of lemon zest in a spritzer, but the little extra oomph that lifts a notable moment to a special one. I wanted to make that happen for others!
When/where do you work?: I work around the clock. It is my nature and my happy habit. When I am not working on my full-time job as a recruiter, my brain is on Garnish. As it develops further, I hope to set aside a more structured schedule.
What are the challenges of your Side Hustle?: When you’re managing details, the details better be correct. The challenge is to exceed expectations, creating my clients’ vision on their timeline within their budget.
What are the rewards of your Side Hustle?: This is my creative outlet. I work full time recruiting for shipyards and industrial plants. I love my full time job, but I needed an opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals and use my creative side- that’s where Garnish comes in!
Who is your greatest supporter?: My whole family and my full time job’s staff are always asking “What’s next with Garnish!?” I love that they get the concept and push me not to let it go without attention and development.
Who/what is your greatest source of inspiration?: My parents. They’re both great at juggling different things and taught my sister and I to never put our eggs in one basket. They always pushed me to pursue whatever I felt moved to. Whether it was soccer for a week or musical theatre for 17 years, they were there to support. I can see now what they saw then: those experiences are incredibly character developing. All of the things they supported me through then are what give me the extra oomph now in my full time work (alongside my dad) and in anything else I pursue.
Have you received recognition for your work?: Aside from a few flattering mentions on social media, this is the first time I am being given the opportunity to introduce Garnish. I am excited for what’s to come.
What is your dream for your Side Hustle?: My dream would be a brick and mortar where Garnish can expand its purpose into providing approachable planning services and creative guidance to event hosts, brides, etc. It is never my intent to be an event planner, only a details companion. I hope I look up and have a client list of people who I’ve helped by taking some stress off and handling the little things that push moments over the top.
Do you have any advice for others working on a Side Hustle?:
Just keep putting yourself out there. If you have a big dream, but you’re not ready to dive in, take it one step at a time and let it develop itself into a reality.
Follow along on Graysi’s blog, Facebook, and Instagram for more details on Garnish!
Side Hustle 