About Us

Sandtricia Strickland's passion for custom products, especially embroidery. was inspired by childhood family trips, where she often visited gift shops searching for souvenirs with her name. "I could never find a pencil or anything with my name on it," she recalls, while her sister, Theresa, easily found items personalized for her. This frustration planted the seeds for Sandtricia’s future career.

In the 1990s, she became a monogrammer at Evans Furriers, despite no sewing experience. "I didn’t know a thing about sewing, but the day before my interview, I asked my mom to teach me quickly," she says. Her natural talent shone through, and soon, Sandtricia was handling custom monogramming requests from across the country at the Chicago factory.

In 2000, she took a leap of faith and purchased her first sewing machine on eBay for $5,000. “I was afraid I wouldn’t see the machine or the money again, but I stepped out on faith, and that was the beginning,” she says. From her family home, she launched Essential Creations Chicago, which has since become one of the city's leading custom embroidery, silk-screening and promotional products company

With the support of her family—who served as designers and sales staff—Sandtricia grew her business to serve clients ranging from local families to high-profile organizations like the U.S. Olympic Team. In 2021, Essential Creations secured a major project with Kim Kardashian's SKIMS, creating custom products for the Winter Olympics. A small business loan from Allies for Community Business helped Sandtricia hire more employees, fulfill large orders, and continue expanding her reach.

Despite the challenges of running a business, Sandtricia finds joy in her work. "I enjoy creating products," she says, reflecting on her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in the custom branding industry. Today, Essential Creations stands as a testament to her resilience, creativity, and commitment to pursuing her dreams.