Community Highlights: Meet Poonam Khatri of A Door to Adore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Poonam Khatri.

Hi Poonam, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I was always drawn to creating, whether it was a greeting card, pottery, or a sketch. I suppose my affinity for art and creating comes from my parents: my mom- who could be found stitching clothes for her kids or making decorative accents for the home, and my dad-a fixer upper guy and photographer. Today I follow my parents’ footsteps as a DIY-er, and running a small business from my home along with my primary job as a speech-language pathologist.

When I did start making wreaths, they were merely a means to preoccupy myself during the pandemic and my IVF journey. However, my wreath-making became an addiction and soon there were more wreaths in my possession than I could use. I started putting them up for sale on Facebook Marketplace. I was pleased with the response I was getting through buyers. Eventually, I ran out of wreaths to sell, but there was still demand for them so I continued creating.

In May 2021, I began selling on Etsy due to its large customer base and the traffic it drives. My shop is still in its initial stages, but I’m humbled to have received the positive response over the past few months.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The circumstances under which I began my wreath business were unfortunate, but it kept me going and allowed for much needed mental stability. It was when the pandemic begin and like many, I was trying to navigate through what the pandemic meant for me while learning overnight that I was temporarily out of work. In addition, my husband and I had been undergoing IVF after trying to conceive for a few years without success. We were repeatedly faced with unwelcome news throughout our journey. Eventually, our story did have a happy ending-in a form of snuggles, kisses, lots and lots of dirty diapers, and sleepless nights that we wouldn’t change for the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A Door to Adore?
I specialize in seasonal, everyday, and custom artificial wreaths. I give my all to each wreath I craft for my customers. I only use high quality florals, ribbon, and handmade signs (if used), and sprayed with a UV protectant spray. In addition, I currently use a grapevine base and cover the back of the grapevine with felt fabric to prevent scratching of the surface used. When shipped, the wreath is secured in its box to prevent any damage that might occur during transit.

The time it takes for me to create a wreath is dependent on the time of the year and demand. Typically, a wreath is shipped out within 2 weeks of purchase.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
As I advance in my business, I plan to expand my creative selection to captivate a larger audience by making cultural wreaths (i.e. Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah). In addition, I anticipate using a variety of bases instead of solely grapevine. I’m grateful that my creations end up in homes of people all over the country, and eventually I hope to reach international buyers as well. So much to look forward to!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ADoortoAdoreLLC
• Instagram: @adoortoadorellc