LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington mother of four Kyla Wombles launched "Sweet Southern Sayin's" back in March when the pandemic began.
She started the side gig when she and her husband, Mark Wombles, became nervous about how the pandemic would affect the three restaurants they own.
Since starting the new side business, Wombles has fulfilled more than 300 orders.
She already has a lot on her plate as a teacher at Sayre School and mother to four kids, but she said it has been a great way to make some extra money and get out of the house.
"My husband's restaurants were shut down and we were kind of like, 'What do we do for income?' and we also were kind of depressed being at home a little bit," Wombles said. "It was different. And I like to be outside. I like to decorate, so it's kind of the perfect combination of the two."
The yard card business has also become a family affair. Her oldest daughter helps to market the business on Tik Tok.
"My second-oldest daughter likes to make sure if she doesn't see enough color in that yard, she's going to make sure it looks beautiful," Wombles said.
Her son helps design the signs that are gifted to other boys his age. Her 3-year-old daughter helps pick out letters.
Her husband, Mark, helps take down the signs on his way home from work.
While Sweet Southern Sayin's isn't enough to support the family, Wombles said it has helped supplement their income while the pandemic has affected business at their restaurants.
It has also provided a source of inspiration for her and the families she works with.
"It's just a very rewarding business," Wombles said. "It's kind of a way to give back and it helps us out as well, so it's a nice combination of the two."
Other Yard Card Businesses:
What started as a side business for Randy Satterly has turned into a full-time gig after he lost his job this summer. He and his wife, Carrie, own "Yard Card Barn."
Their business has boomed during the pandemic. In March, they had about 11 orders. That exploded to 300 orders in May.
"The pandemic has sent our business thru the roof," Satterly said in an email to LEX 18. "Our orders have backed off to about 60 greetings for December. 60 signs is a lot more manageable. We would love to do about 100-120 greetings a month. We have been very blessed this year. We hope everyone has a healthy and happy 2021."
Brenda Travis has owned Central KY Yard Greetings with her husband Steve Bowers for three years. The retired firefighters said they would typically do about 6 to 10 greetings every week before the pandemic.
Demand exploded to about ten greetings every night when the pandemic began.
"Things have calmed down, but we are still busier than before coronavirus," Travis said. "Its great to know you've brought a smiled to someone's face."
There are several other local yard card businesses in Lexington including Sign Gypsies, Bluegrass Greetings, and Big Ol' Yard Letters, which took off after LEX 18 did a story on the owner.