Mitch Newhouse had a viral moment recently, when his Bigfoot in a Trucker Hat tumbler was caught up in a wave of Bigfoot videos circulating online. The AI videos imagining a walking, talking Bigfoot led to a spike in all things Sasquatch. “It was a little funny to log in one day and see the tumbler had racked up over 2,000 visits nearly overnight,” says Mitch. “You never know who’s going to be a star.”

The viral tumblers will be in Mitch’s booth this coming weekend at the Starbuck Vintage & Artisan Market, along with his custom Starbuck and Glenwood t-shirts, patch hats, hoodies, canvas totes, and customizable wooden Lake Minnewaska laser cut maps. There’s “Captain of the Cooler,” “Bonfire Enthusiast,” and wooden signs in gorgeous colors, featuring Lake Minnewaska. “I live in my cabin in Starbuck half the year and the other half in Chanhassen, so I’m a dual citizen,” Mitch laughs, “but I’m hoping to retire to Starbuck one day and open a storefront for lake art and design services.”

Mitch, a longtime hobbyist and graphic designer, recently decided to expand his private consulting and design business after nearly 20 years leading graphic and broadcast design work—first for the Timberwolves and then as a Senior Manager of Digital Media and Branding at Target Center. “Refocusing on laser work—making steel tumblers, custom wood pieces, patch hats, shirts and totes—is what I really love to do,” he says. “Now I can do more of it, both in my own business and by creating products for small businesses that are at the right scale.”

"My passion is helping small businesses thrive," says Mitch. "I've seen firsthand the challenges they face, whether it's needing customized branded merchandise without the burden of huge bulk orders, or struggling to create eye-catching graphic design and digital content that truly represents their brand."

Mitch understands that smaller businesses often get overlooked by larger providers. "Big shops usually demand minimums of 35 units or more for customized products," he explains. "But what if you only need 10 or 15 high-quality, affordable items? That's where I come in. I'm here to ensure small businesses get the personalized products they need without paying for unwanted overstock."

Beyond merchandise, Mitch extends his expertise to helping businesses develop a strong visual presence. "Many small businesses also need support with professional graphic design for everything from logos to marketing materials, and creating engaging digital content for their online presence," he adds. "My goal is to be a comprehensive partner, providing the high-quality, affordable solutions that empower small businesses to stand out and succeed."

Stay up-to-date on Mitch’s latest designs by following his Facebook page or shopping on mnlaserdesigns.com. And stop by his stand at the Starbuck Vintage & Artisan Market this weekend. Find artisans, vintage merchants, and food vendors on Friday, August 1st from 4-8 PM and Saturday, August 2nd from 9 AM-4 PM at Starbuck City Park.