What’s on the schedule this week?? A headband review and
interview with the owner of “Little Pretties Shop” – of course! This interested
shop caught our eye because Instagram is the platform where they sell. I have
heard of selling on dual social media accounts, but never on just Instagram!!
Let’s jump in!
The Review
How best do you review a headband?  For me it’s three things.
The Look – This category received an A+++. I
have found that photos just do not do handmade justice. I tried with some super
close shots and I hope you can see the fabric detail with a sweet shabby chic
undertone. Not only is the actual product fabulous, but it is always heartwarming
to receive a present that is finely wrapped and put together, not just thrown
into a box. I love how she has personalized the 
packing with her shop name and a
link for others to purchase 
The Stretchy – Who wants a head band that squeezes
your brains out?? Not me, you, or the baby girl you will buy one of these for!
Lisa has perfected the size of the adult headband to make it to where you can
wear them all day! I can be pretty picky with what I wear (on my head) and how
long I wear it for, but this hand band is super user friendly.
The Interview
Building Bridges: Tell
us a little bit about you, your family, and what you like to do for fun!
|  | 
| one of our custom flower halos | 
Hello my name is Elizabeth Sidlin, or many
people call me Lisa. I own the “Little Pretties Shop” on Instagram!
I am happily married to my best friend and we have two children,
We are a Christian family and love spending as much time together as possible,
We are totally harry potter and star wars obsessed! Yes the nerdy family! My
kids and I go hiking and we all have family days to amusement parks and
anywhere we can go on crazy adventures because my son loves exploring things.
We live a hectic life but we wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Building Bridges: What other hobbies do you have?
I love taking my kids hiking and to the zoo. I also love cooking
and baking.  I am currently learning how to sew so I can add much much
more goodies to our shop.
Building Bridges: Why did you
choose the name of your business? Is there a special meaning behind it?
|  | 
| grow with me set | 
I
named my shop Little Pretties shop because I truly believe that every little
girl deserves to have pretty little things to make her feel beautiful even when
life gets rough.
Building
Bridges: Why did you
decide to open your shop and why sell on Instagram?
I opened my shop in May after splitting shops with a girlfriend; I
decided to start making accessories for littles after I had my daughter. I
hated hearing about how cute my boys were and wanted to make affordable
and  adorable headbands to help stop these comments. So I started
privately for my daughter and a few family members and decided to open an
instragram shop with my friend after a short lived success we decided to split
shop and do our own thing. It was a good idea for both of us. And we have both
seen great success. I feel on instragram I have a little more freedom to what
and how I sell my items plus its fun and gives me an opportunity to connect
with other shops and moms!
Building Bridges: Did someone
encourage you to start a business?
My husband encouraged  me to
try making them and has continued to support my small business. He helps me
with new ideas and advertisement. He is definitely my best support system,
Building Bridges: When did your shop
officially open?
|  | 
| example of a surprise grab bag | 
I opened Little Pretties Shop on May 25th 2014 and have had a
great success in such a short time.
Building Bridges: Do you
remember your first product that sold, what was it?
The first items is sold were a set of 4 headbands the customer
gave me creative freedom to make whatever I wanted for her daughter and it was
so much fun. I did 2 simple headband sets and 2 intricate headbands that I
still to this day love. 
Building Bridges: Do you have any shop promo discounts, if so when do they end?
 I have new sales every week and do 2 giveaways a month. The sales
run typically Monday through Friday and the giveaways run
for 1-2 weeks.
Building Bridges: Do you take
custom orders?
I love custom orders. Most of my business revolves around custom
orders! The more the merrier. I love making things to match outfits or
occasions for all the little ones
Building Bridges: Why make handmade
products? 
With handmade products you get things that are different and made
just for you. They are typically one of a kind and you won’t be able to find
that exact one anywhere. Even when I replicate previously sold items I make
them all slightly different so it is always made just for you. 
Building Bridges:  What
do you love or hate about selling?
I love selling things that make my customers happy so the feedback
whether it is negative or positive I want to hear it all so I can better or
continue the things I am doing. I love hearing people have to say. I just truly
enjoy making others happy.
Building Bridges: What is your
favorite part about owning your own business? 
I can do and make what I want without another's approval; well I
always get the customers approval. But I really enjoy being able to be creative
and price my items so that everyone can afford them. Because I am in control of
my inventory and product I can send donations and price things to reach everyone.
And give every little one the chance to have something pretty.
Building Bridges: Do you have a product that you prefer to design/create over others?
Since I only make headbands and hair accessories I really just
like making things that will work for each individual. Everyone has different
tastes and wants and I like to be able to create things that
meet everyone's needs and wants.
Building Bridges: Best advice
you received when you went into business for yourself?
Continue to work on what makes you happy, if
you aren't happy and it’s no longer fun; it’s not longer worth it! 
|  | 
| one of our sibling sets | 
Building Bridges: We love to attend craft and vendor markets - do you?
I love attending craft fairs  I have yet to be featured at
one but would love to be involved and sell my product at them. It is a great
way to get advice and ideas and share creative insight with other small
businesses and crafters.
Building Bridges: Did you
always see yourself becoming an entrepreneur?
I actually never saw myself doing this I always wanted to work
with children, but I guess in a way I do work for and with kids! Owning my own small business is so
intimidation!
Building Bridges: What is your most popular product on the market right now?
I wish I could say I had a product that everyone wanted but
because everyone has such different taste I would say the custom orders are the
most popular item in the shop.
Which we love making. One of our newest products are the surprise grab bags!
And it seems many people love those! We've made 140 headbands in one week for
grab bags!
Building Bridges: What is the favorite item
you make and why? 
I definitely love our “grow with me” sets or the “sibling” sets. Our grow with me sets give you the opportunity to use headbands for a longer period of time. It comes with 2-5 headbands in varying sizes with one or more clips so you can interchange the clips and headbands as your little one grows. And then who doesn't like showing off your siblings! We can do big sister little sisters sets all the way to twinning sets! So big sisters can show of their new baby sister with matching headbands for photo shots or everyday life.
Building Bridges: What is a
typical day like when you are crafting?
A typical crafting day is chaotic! Stuff every where kids playing
in everything "trying to help" and lots and lots of samples. But it’s
the best way I work! 
Building Bridges: Do you have any giveaways
running right now?
We have give aways every month! Whether it's a group giveaway a theme giveaway or a solo giveaway. We are never short on giving!
Building Bridges: If you could go one place in
the world where would it be and why?
Totally sounds lame but I am a huge nerd and would love to go to Florida and visit Hogwarts since California won’t be getting one for a while. But I've always wanted to go to Europe. And I'd love to take my husband to Germany in 2016 for the Stone brewery opening! I always envisioned myself traveling but it never happened.
Be sure to
follow Lisa’s shop on Instagram (Www.instagram.com/littleprettiesshop) & on her FACEBOOK PAGE! She is a
true delight to work with and I have had my bestie (pretend) to fight with me
over trying to take it cause…well it totally looks better on her!! Haha the
truth hurts sometimes. Hurry on over, get your custom order before the season
gets away from you! Lisa thanks again so much for the interview and for sending
me the lovely headbands to review! Many happy sales to you dear!
 




 
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