Front doors are the ideal space to make a seasonal statement. Make an impact by displaying a wreath garland. Photos: Chris Emeott
A Mound resident circles back to a new career.
Little did Laura Lecy know that a COVID-19-induced craft exercise would result in a burgeoning business that is capturing the attention of locals, national customers and the U.S. military.
Like most of us, Lecy of Mound needed something to dig into and occupy her time during the pandemic. She started creating faux wreaths. “People started seeing what I was making and posting [on social media], and they started ordering,” Lecy says. Shortly thereafter, her husband, Tyler Lecy, looked at her and said, “‘I think you have something special here. I believe in you and think you can do this,’” Lecy says.
Laura Lecy
That night, RoundWreath turned from being a hobby into operating as a full-fledged business. Today, three years later, Lecy’s family (and several friends) are involved in all aspects of the business. Her children Noah, 12, and Marshall, 7, help with assembly preparations and content photos, and Lecy’s mother, Jill Weirick, comes in town to offer an extra hand when needed. Friends pop by at a moment’s notice, and Tyler continues to offer his support every step of the way. Order by order and person by person is how so many homegrown businesses operate and grow into their success.
RoundWreath, based out of Mound, is garnering attention. “There are a lot of décor companies out there, but nobody is doing just wreaths,” Lecy says. Some of that traction hit with a call from a U.S. Navy representative, requesting 12 custom wreaths for the USS Alabama and its monthly landside parades. “I don’t shy away from a project. I lean into it,” Lecy says. And that is exactly what she did after she received the request. According to Lecy, the paperwork was the most challenging part of this dream project, which netted a wide array of themed wreaths, including ones featuring daffodils, peanuts, the ocean and, of course, the U.S. Navy.
As one can image, other customer design requests run the gamut. Lecy has created wreaths highlighting childhood toys, hockey, Star Wars’ Yoda and much more. “You can make anything into a wreath,” she says. And using her talent to showcase a custom request is something Lecy enjoys doing. “These are my favorite to make because the wreaths I’ve made with these customers really mean something to them,” she says. “They are letting me be a part of their narrative and memories. I realize how special these wreaths can be and the joy they bring.”
Photos: Natalie at Lollipop Media MN
Residential homes are the primary display spot for Lecy’s wreaths, but there is another type of residence that feature her work—senior living communities, many of which offer door décor competitions for residents. Enter RoundWreath for the win.
Wreath displays have expanded their real estate. In addition to placing them on exterior and interior doors and windows, consider backs of dining chairs, banisters, fireplaces (clear of a heat source); kitchen island sides, mirrors, stove hoods and more. Photo: Chris Emeott
While the December holiday season means plenty of business for Lecy and her team, a fair number of customers order wreaths for holidays and special occasions throughout the year. “I am so excited. I just want to do more,” she says. “We have so many fun ideas for the future. I don’t think I’ve even topped what I can do.”
Photo: Natalie at Lollipop Media MN
Keep on Giving
RoundWreath donates wreaths to infusion centers around the Twin Cities (Minnesota Oncology). “For the last eight years, I have personally gone to Minnesota Oncology to receive treatments for Crohn’s disease,” says Laura Lecy, owner.
“As I sat there, surrounded by cancer patients, I wanted to help,” she says. “What was I good at? Making wreaths! You’d be surprised at how much joy and hope a wreath can bring to someone in treatment.”
“Each wreath we donate has the word hope attached to it because we believe the patients need to be encouraged daily,” Lecy says. “We have been donating to a few locations for the last few years, but with customer support, were able to raise enough to provide wreaths for every Minnesota Oncology location!”
The message of hope is being received. “We have gotten such kind messages from patients and encouragement plus support from customers who believe in what we are doing,” Lecy says. “So far, we have focused on Minnesota but are hoping the mission spreads across the U.S.—wouldn’t that be cool?”
Photo: Chris Emeott
Keep it Clean
There are definite upsides to using a reusable wreath, but it must be kept clean in order to maximize its visual appeal and durability. The best way to get a wreath display ready is to:
- Set a hair dryer on low, and use the cool setting.
- Hold the wreath in one hand.
- Angle the hair dryer downward, so it goes with the grain of the wreath.
These easy steps will help remove dust and dirt and fluff up the wreath for its next post on a door, window or wherever a little celebration vibe or seasonal spruce up is needed.
Get it Ordered
It’s not too late to order from RoundWreath for the December holidays for yourself or as a gift. If available, an order can reach your home in one to two weeks, but consider your timing and the heavy lift going on this time of year by the delivery services. (Delays this time of year aren’t unusual.)
RoundWreath
612.234.1025
Facebook: Round Wreath
Instagram: @roundwreathdotcom
