Fuzzy Loon Designs

Fuzzy Loon Designs began as a hobby business in 2016 and expanded with a Waite Park storefront in early 2024. Sarah and Dan Fitzgerald own the family-run printing and engraving business. Fuzzy Loon Designs specializes in direct-to-consumer and business-to-business products; they do all their printing and engraving in-house, with no minimums or setup fees. “Our storefront isn’t just a custom printing shop; it’s also a local gift shop where people can find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. We love helping customers create memorable items, whether it’s a single custom shirt or a beautifully crafted tumbler, all with a focus on quality and quick turnaround,” shared Sarah.

Sarah was born and raised in St. Cloud and stayed here because of family. “I met my husband, Dan, right after high school and attended St. Cloud State University. We moved to Waite Park, where we’ve been for about 18 years now, raising our family and building Fuzzy Loon Designs together. We never set out to start a business — it really began as a hobby. Dan and I enjoyed creating custom items at home, and as our skills grew, so did the interest from friends and family. Before we knew it, the demand was there, and it was a way to bring in extra income. That’s when Fuzzy Loon Designs was born. What started as a way to make ends meet quickly turned into something we’re truly passionate about. Now, it’s more than just a business; it’s our way of bringing unique, personalized gifts to life for our community and beyond.”

“We’re big believers in supporting our local community here in Central MN, which allows us to showcase the incredible talent in our area. We’re grateful to see the impact that sourcing locally has on our store and community. We’re active members of the Chamber of Commerce and work closely with many local businesses. We are always looking for ways to support our community. From participating in fundraisers and supporting non-profits to sourcing wholesale products from other Minnesota small businesses, we’re committed to lifting up our small business community. Our gift shop is stocked with unique items from local makers, which allows us to showcase the incredible talent right here in our area.”

“The most exciting part of what I do is seeing our customers' reactions when they receive their custom items—whether it’s a unique gift for a loved one or a product they helped design. Knowing that our creations play a role in someone’s special moments is incredibly rewarding. Also, watching our small hobby grow into a thriving business that supports our family and our community has been an amazing journey. Each step, from moving into bigger spaces to building connections with other local businesses, has been an adventure.”

And when you’re a business owner, you know the adventures never stop. “The rapid growth of our business has been both exciting and challenging. We went from a small operation in our home to a full-scale business with a warehouse and storefront, which brought a whole new set of logistics to manage. Navigating inventory, shipping, and staffing has been a huge learning curve, especially with no formal business background or degree. On top of that, economic shifts and downturns can be tough to weather as a small business. We’re constantly adapting, learning on the go, and figuring things out as we go along. It’s been challenging but also incredibly rewarding.”

“Being part of the Central MN community is truly special. The support we’ve received from other local businesses and our customers has been amazing. There’s a strong sense of community here, and we love giving back through partnerships and sourcing local products for our gift shop. It’s rewarding to be part of a place where people lift each other up and work together to make our area stronger.”

“The Greater St. Cloud and Central MN community has been instrumental in our growth, and we’re so grateful to the customers who spread the word and the local businesses that collaborate with us. People here genuinely care about supporting small businesses; that sense of community has made all the difference. Every bit of support, from visiting our store to sharing our story, helps us keep doing what we love and strengthens our community in return. We have a huge social media following but have struggled to grow awareness of our new storefront and presence since we shifted from purely online to now being both an online website (commerce store) to an online store and having a brick-and-mortar location.”

“I want the community to know how much their support means to us. Fuzzy Loon Designs isn’t just a business; it’s a labor of love that grew from a small idea into something we’re incredibly proud of. We’re committed to bringing unique, quality products to the area and are always here for custom printing, unique gifts, or just to chat about creative ideas. We’re grateful for every customer and local partnership that makes our work possible. Thanks for being part of our journey!”

You can visit Fuzzy Loon Designs at their location in Waite Park, on their website, or their Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

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