Fort Bend couple starts mask business to help others stay afloat.
The pair aim to help friends and small companies keep afloat during the pandemic
When Micahl and Courtney Wyckoff, both out of work, started making masks inside their Fort Bend home, they were just looking for a way to make ends meet, while also helping others stay safe.
“It just got to the point where we had no income coming in,” said Courtney Wyckoff, 35, a seamstress. “We lasted for a little and then it was, oh we don’t have any money for milk. It was quite dire.”
But their idea to help feed their family, quickly transformed into a new business venture for the couple as they sought to employ other recently laid off small business workers. Now, an eclectic crew of people comprise their team—including a comedian, art teacher, a high school student, bartenders, servers, baristas and others .
Since starting their business Grab Bag
Masks in April, they’ve worked countless hours to supply over 16,000 masks to Houstonians, and others across the country. The team currently is working at Maple Leaf Pub in Midtown, which has donated the space for them to use.
“At the beginning, it was like hey, we’re selling these to keep other small businesses in business,” said Micahl Wyckoff, a commercial photographer. “To keep a bar in business, to keep our friends that are servers in business. I think a lot of people got on board with that idea.”
Word spreads
As the coronavirus pandemic worsened, Courtney realized she had a lot of leftover fabric lying around her house as her business came to a halt. She usually makes curtains, crib skirts, blankets and other items for babies as part of her business, SuiteBaby.
Her husband Micahl, who does commercial photography, also saw his business dwindling.
So, the couple got to work making masks inside their home in Sienna. Then, the word spread as a friend promoted the business on social media. Her Facebook post drew over 150 likes and several comments from people interested in purchasing a mask.
The demand for masks also grew as public health officials recommended wearing them in crowded settings like grocery stores.
As the clamor for masks grew, so did the workload for the Fort Bend couple, causing the Wyckoffs to work 20- hour days to fill orders.
The Wyckoffs also sought to hire others who saw their work come to a stop. They now have 18 contractors and pay each employee $15 per hour. According to the operation’s website, masks range from $10 to $12.75 each.
“I’m a big believer that anyone that’s willing to work hard can do just about anything. Freelancers, small business owners and entrepreneurs, ultimately we’re just hustlers,” said Micahl Wyckoff. “So, people that have this mindset are willing to pivot. It’s like we got to support ourselves, no matter what it’s going to take for us to do.”
A common bond shared
Monét Dixon had just briefly started working as an art teacher at the Boys & Girls club, but then covid-19 hit and she found herself unemployed.
The 22-year-old, whohas been working at Grab Bag Masks for two weeks, said her new job has allowed her to bond with others.
Dixon, who draws, paints and performs spoken word, said the creative community has been greatly affected during the pandemic. As she figures out how to publish her recently finished poetry book, Dixon said the money made from Grab Bag Masks provides a safety net.
“It’s just a vibe in the room, of like we might not all be in the same specific place in our lives, but we all have something in common right now,” said Dixon. “That we all got hit really hard. We’re just trying to get everything back together.”
Scott Fix, a bartender for 25 years, also found himself out of work because of the pandemic. The 50-year-old said he never imagined working inside a bar to produce masks but has enjoyed the camaraderie among the team.
He said the team tries to eat together at least once a day throughout their work shift.
“I would consider continuing, especially with this company,” said Fix, 50. “I love tending bar, I wouldn’t have done it for 25 years if I didn’t. But, sometimes doors open for odd reasons.”
The Wyckoffs plan to start partnering with local restaurants to do pop-ups. where customers can buy masks. However, the couple is unsure on how long their new business venture will last amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus.
For now, they’re just enjoying the moment.
“Right now, what we all have on each other is we want to survive,” said Micahl Wyckoff. “There’s this common bond, common goal, that we’re all trying to do, which is hey, lets just make it to the end of this.”