This top maker got his start with a social push; but the real influencers behind the Craft E brand: his wife and family
December 23, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
Enrique Hernandez, the creative force behind Craft E. Embroidery, proved that dedication and creativity can transform a hobby into a thriving business — earning him the title of Made in KC’s top maker for 2024.
“It hasn’t really settled in yet,” Hernandez said about winning the award in mid-December. “But it feels good.”
Enrique Hernandez, Craft E. Embroidery, displays alternate colorways and player designs for his popular embroidered sweatshirts; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Hernandez’s journey began with a simple suggestion from his wife while they watched social media videos of embroidery together.
“She said, ‘That looks like something you could do,’” he recalled. “I’m very creative, artistic — so I started looking at embroidery machines, got one, and started playing with it.”
That playful experiment turned into starting Craft E. Embroidery. At first, Hernandez focused on designs inspired by his love of sports, particularly football.
“I’d record my designs and post them on Facebook and TikTok,” he said. “Over time, I started getting more and more requests. It just became a business.”
Click here to follow on Instagram.
Plus click here for even more holiday gift ideas for Kansas City sports fans.
View this post on Instagram
Persistence pays off
Craft E. Embroidery didn’t land on Made in KC’s shelves immediately. Hernandez applied twice before being accepted — a journey that ultimately culminated in being recognized by the local-first retailer with its first-ever top maker honor.
“It feels amazing. I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” said Hernandez.
His custom embroidery crewneck sweatshirt designs of both Royals and Chiefs players have attracted attention, not only locally but also from out-of-state customers.
“I get a lot of messages asking if I can do a certain team or player,” he said. “I try to say yes, but it’s hard to keep up sometimes. I’ll be working on sweaters for the Chiefs, and then I have to find a break to work on new designs.”
Enrique Hernandez, Craft E. Embroidery, displays one of the embroidered sweatshirts that earned him the title of Made in KC’s 2024 Maker of the Year; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Kansas City at the core
Hernandez credits Kansas City’s vibrant community for helping him succeed.
“I had to be in the right place at the right time — with the winning team, the right designs, and the support of local vendors and creators,” he said. “All the ingredients are here.”
Craft E. Embroidery operates out of Hernandez’s home, where family plays an integral role in both his life and business.
“It’s complicated. But at the end of the day, I do this for my family. It helps having their support,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez continues to refine his craft, working on new designs and dreaming big for Craft E. Embroidery.
“My favorite design so far is probably the gray hoodie signature series that’s coming soon,” he said. “But I have so many others I’m excited to finalize and share.”
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
UMKC pitch competition brings validating relief, cash prizes for emerging founders with big ideas
A popular UMKC pitch competition awarded more than $80,000 in cash prizes to student and full-time entrepreneurs Friday — validating new ideas and emerging ventures alike. “I never saw anything like this when I was in college,” said Dr. Brandy Archie, founder of AskSAMIE, who competed in a category especially for established startups at the University…
Showcase showdown: KC Chamber rallies ‘Mr. K competitors, but small biz owners say it feels more like family
The husband-wife duo behind Kansas City-based Shark OFF appreciate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem so much that they actually list it as one of their startup’s co-founders, Geoff Geist shared. “We would not exist if it weren’t for this community,” said Geist, the co-founder and COO of Shark OFF, which offers shark repellent bracelets that are…
Meet the winners of KC’s first grants for micro-businesses; $55K awarded to women of color
A newly launched collaboration between entrepreneur support efforts announced Thursday its first batch of grant winners — positioning four Kansas City micro-businesses for greater success amid a near-universally challenging start for the year. “The first quarter of the year is hard for most businesses, and extremely hard for small businesses. This year was no different…
These ‘Urban Heroes’ are helping evolve downtown KC; here’s why they’re on the right path
In a prelude to today’s celebration of downtown Kansas City’s evolution and momentum, four “urban heroes” were honored Thursday for their passionate work to make downtown a more vibrant place to live, work, and play, organizers said. Winners of the “Urban Hero Awards” ranged from honorees on the east side to the Crossroads and the…