--------What is the name and contact info of your business?
elyse oRiGiNaLs
www.elyseoriginals.com

-------How did you get interested in this area?
I have consistently been a creative person throughout my life and am lucky to have been gifted with an eye for putting colors and patterns together. I used to experiment with my store-bought clothing and eventually started constructing clothing by hand.

--------When did you start?
I hand-sewed my first item when I was 18. My mother saw this burgeoning skill and bought me a sewing machine for my birthday in 1998.

--------How do you promote your items?
Word of mouth is the best! My clients love their handcrafted items and promote for me. Additionally, I use social media including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I also send out monthly e-newsletters to clients who have opted in.

--------Tell me about the process to get to this point, what have you done?
I've used the babysteps approach to get to where I am today. In years past, I had sold many items at a myriad of summer events. Later, I began selling on eBay and saw some success with bidding on my dresses reaching over $300. Eventually, etsy was born and I designed my website, which has been steadily increasing in hits every year.

--------What mistakes have you made?
Mistakes? I'm meticulous and over-think everything before I actually make a decision so I can't think of any right now. I'm positive there have been some minor ones, however.

---------What have you learned?
I've learned sooo much about business: web-design, marketing, customer service, the power of social media, etc. A business owner such as myself, wears many hats. Mine just happen to also be stylish =o).

---------What's the reaction to your product or product line like?
Women get excited because my designs are very unique, flatter a woman's figure, are comfortable to wear and wash in the machine. Men love the originality of my shorts and pants. Most times, when a new client buys something, they buy another of my items within a couple of weeks. My creations make my clients feel youthful and beautiful partly because I put tons of love and positive energy into each one and think my clients can feel this when they put one of my pieces on. It's wearable art.


---------What is your most popular product?
Hmmm. that's a hard one. I think it would have to be my manufactured line, elyse SIGNATURES. They are proudly made in the USA. Everything else is made my these two hands. Other popular items include dresses made from imported Indonesian batik fabrics.

---------What advice would you give to people thinking of entering this area?
Don't give up on your vision. Don't copy other people's style. Instead, be inspired to find more creativity within yourself. Do have confidence in your ability. Make waves and keep-on trucking on.

----------What kind of clients do you have?
My clients are among the nicest people in the world! They are unique, fashion-forward beauties in all shapes and sizes. It's a risk buying things online and this is the way I primarily sell my creations so I'd like to thank them for their continued patronage.

----------What features/expansion are you planning?
Shhhh... this is a secret.... but I guess it won't be long! I am working on a new line for little girls which will include bedding. It is set to launch by year's end.

-----------Anything else?
I think life is about taking chances and making the rest of your life the best of your life. I live by this mantra every minute of every day.