My Aslym Collectives storefront ribbon-cutting set for April 12

“I started making keychains on a laser printer, and they were a big hit,” Erika Taylor said about the beginnings of her shop, My Asylum Collective. “I found a lot of success in the business-to-business market, in particular, making branded keychains, magnets and ornaments. Now, I’m adding a second area of focus: the tourism market.”

I think having a permanent location with a variety of items aimed at the tourism market is a great opportunity

In addition to selling her products through custom orders and on Etsy and the Alleghenies Marketplace, Erika is opening a storefront on April 12 in Downtown Somerset. Her space, which she’s been working to renovate, is across the street from Uptown Works in Glades Court Mall & Mulberry Place. In addition to her original items in wood, leather and cut glass, the showroom floor will offer work by other local artisans.

“I’ve been doing markets and noticed that visitors to Somerset really loved my items because they are handmade and specific to Somerset,” she said. “I think having a permanent location with a variety of items aimed at the tourism market is a great opportunity.” Erika’s space will include work by Mount Pleasant glass artisan Peter O’Rourke who spent 50 years cutting glass for Lenox and is now a mentor to her. She’ll also utilize a portion of the space for her custom business-to-business work.

As a small business owner, Erika found free support from Somerset’s Startup Alleghenies coach Matt Reckner. “I’ve worked directly with Matt and I took every single free educational course available through Startup Alleghenies—they were so valuable,” she said. As word spread about her business, she was connected to the team at Uptown Works and Regina Coughenour at Somerset, Inc. who has been integral to the process of securing her storefront through its rent abatement program. She also received support from Jeff Boldizar at the Saint Francis Small Business Development Center.

“We’re so excited to welcome My Asylum to Uptown Somerset,” Regina said. “When Erika showed us the engraved items she’s made for local businesses around the area, we were impressed and thrilled to support a business supporting other small businesses so well. She’s transformed the storefront space and completely blown us away. Erika is a go-getter and we’re glad to have her in our rent abatement program and in Uptown.”

“Erika went about starting the business the right way.  She did her homework and utilized the resources in our local area that are available,” Jeff said.

I’ve worked directly with Matt and I took every single free educational course available through Startup Alleghenies—they were so valuable

“So many people came together to help me. I also want to acknowledge my landlord who has allowed me to take time to complete renovations. He has been a big part of making this happen,” she noted. “So many other local businesses have partnered with me. I can’t list them all, but I want to shout out as many as I can for being great collaborators: Tall Pines Distillery, Covered Bridge Garlic Company, Stacy’s Unique Homemade Hand-dipped Candy & Fudge, Pioneer Lakes Campground, Wilderness Adventures Whitewater Rafting, the Trading Post, Realty One and others,” she noted.

The My Asylum ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1:45 PM, April 12, with the celebration lasting through the weekend.

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.