Building Bridges: Tell us a little bit about
you, your family, and what you like to do for fun!
Kelela: My name is Kelela and I am a dance
major in college right now and on my spare time I like to create new things for
my business, choreograph, find new music and watch movies.
Building Bridges: Why did you choose the name of your business?
Is there a special meaning behind it?
Kelela: The "Lei" comes from my name and the
"Loops" comes from how I started which was only making rings. Even though
I have expanded into many kinds of accessories I kept the name because I like
the ring to it.
Building Bridges: Why did you decide to open your shop and why sell on Etsy.com
Kelela: I decided to
sell on etsy because it helps reach people all over the world and it is geared
towards handmade items.
Building
Bridges: Did someone encourage
you to start a business?
Kelela: My dad is a big
believer in being your own boss so he has encouraged me to start my own
business.
Building
Bridges: When did your shop
officially open?
Kelela: I have been
doing this on and off for a while and almost all of my sales are not from Etsy.
I am really hoping to get noticed on Etsy so I can increase my online sales. I have
gotten serious about my shop this past year.
Building
Bridges: Do you remember your
first product that sold, what was it?
Kelela: It was a long
time ago, but yes it was a ring.
Building
Bridges: Any current shop promo
discounts, if so when do they end?
Kelela: I made a coupon code just for people who come
visit my shop through your blog. Just enter in BBMBLOG2014 at checkout to receive 10% off :)
Building
Bridges: Do you take custom
orders?
Kelela: Yes I love
taking custom orders!
Building
Bridges: Why make handmade products?
Kelela: I love making handmade products because they are unique to me as well as the customer who won't be able to get that item anywhere else.
Building Bridges: What do you love or hate about selling?
Kelela: I love creating
product and making new things and if I could solely focus on that it would be
ideal. So my least favorite part about selling is the marketing end of it.
Building
Bridges: What is your favorite
part about owning your own business?
Kelela: My favorite
part is being able to work when I can and need to. When you have your own
business you can make your own hours cause I am a full time student and I have
a part time job.
Building
Bridges: Do you have a product
that you prefer to design/create over others?
Kelela: I love doing
everything but the rings are probably my favorite.
Building
Bridges: Do you have any advice
for other crafters who would like to start selling their creations?
Kelela: Go for it but be patient and don't give up!
Building
Bridges: Best advice you
received when you went into business for yourself?
Kelela: That it is not easy you are going to have to work hard for it but there will be a reward in the future.
Building
Bridges: Do you have your own
shop blog and social media sites? We would LOVE to follow you back!
Kelela: I am on
Instagram and Facebook under LeiLoops
Building
Bridges: We love to attend craft
and vendor markets - do you?
Kelela: I just became a
RAW artist and had my first showcase in April and it was very fun and I loved
doing it.
Building
Bridges: What is your favorite
part about the markets?
Kelela: Learning and
meeting other artists.
Building
Bridges: Did you always see yourself
becoming an entrepreneur?
Kelela: Yes my dream
for the future is to own my own dance company along with keeping my LeiLoops
shop alive!!
Building
Bridges: Do you use your own
products?
Kelela: Yes I wear
something that I have made almost every day.
Building
Bridges: What is your most
popular product on the market right now?
Kelela: I have sold the
most of my rings. They are unique and they are one of kind. I can make rings
with the same color structure but no 2 are the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment