"Tents are harrrrrrd....." - Russell from Up
I hear you, Russell. Building anything is hard. And the sacrifice and determination required is nothing for the faint of heart. But in the end, it's all worthwhile.
When I started this business in 2009, I had never sewn more than a button back onto a shirt, let alone have the ability to find a bobbin in a sewing machine. My Mother-In-Law showed me how to create things out of raw materials, and just like that, BellaLise Designs was born.
My sister and I started the business, before she needed to move back to Washington, something I still can't forgive her for (love ya, sis). We began in those days like a lot of others, sitting through endless hours at craft fairs and summer markets. Setting up, tearing down, and meeting people that would build a network for the future. Those early days were exciting, difficult, and time consuming. We did an event one summer where we sold out of Mario hats, and stayed up burning the midnight oil making more for the next day. Lesson learned: have more stock than you think you'll need.
When you build a business, you take a dream, an idea, and make it reality. But no one can prepare you for the things that are sacrificed to make that dream come true. I've missed countless games my kids have played. I've lost touch with many friends, but the close ones track me down. I've longed for many date nights never taken with my husband. And sleep... glorious sleep. There's one you never consider: the late nights where I sit creating appliques or design sketches by the light of a Doctor Who episode, my husband diligently cutting out fabric by my side. What a treasure I have in him. But when I see where this road is taking me, I realize that those sacrifices, while difficult at times, are worth it.
Born out of a love for Star Wars, my girly geekery has come to life. Creating the Stormpooper diaper bag from literally just an idea, has been to date, my most popular item. The retro aprons I've made have been worn all around the world at Comic Cons and other events. To take a character from a comic book, and make it into a wearable, 3D "costume" was more than I ever dreamed in those early days.
A soldier's wife approached me to create the very first Military Wife bag, and I was hooked. Not only was I able to use my skill to make something very special and unique, but I was connecting with families in the Armed Forces, a cause very dear to my heart. It was because of that request I was able to bless the mother of a fallen soldier, and from there, countless others, and I saw my vision for a ministry sewn into the fabric of my business.
Since that time, I've given of my time and skill to bless families. From the wife of a fallen soldier or police officer, to their children, to those of a celebrity status, to a community in a state far away, or a family serving on the other side of the planet, I've gotten to connect with some amazing, courageous people that make my sacrifice seem very small. When you can give to someone of your time, your skill, and see the tears fall, and the joy spread across someone else's face, you realize that this dream of yours is bigger than you. It's bigger than an income. It's bigger than you ever imagined it could be.
As time goes on, I hope to create some more things that will touch the lives of others. I hope to expand my collection of creations. One day I will make my daughter's wedding dress... hopefully a very long time into the future. For now, I'm content to create in my studio, talking with customers and making their visions a reality. Because at the end of the day, without all of you, I have no reason for any of this. So to all of you, thank you for your support, your understanding, your patience, and your love. I hope I use it to bless others, and to create happiness for those I serve. I remember those early days, when life was a little less complicated and busy, and I treasure what BellaLise has become. My heart is full.
And I'm thankful for what I do, for my family, friends, and all of you.
AB
I hear you, Russell. Building anything is hard. And the sacrifice and determination required is nothing for the faint of heart. But in the end, it's all worthwhile.
When I started this business in 2009, I had never sewn more than a button back onto a shirt, let alone have the ability to find a bobbin in a sewing machine. My Mother-In-Law showed me how to create things out of raw materials, and just like that, BellaLise Designs was born.
My sister and I started the business, before she needed to move back to Washington, something I still can't forgive her for (love ya, sis). We began in those days like a lot of others, sitting through endless hours at craft fairs and summer markets. Setting up, tearing down, and meeting people that would build a network for the future. Those early days were exciting, difficult, and time consuming. We did an event one summer where we sold out of Mario hats, and stayed up burning the midnight oil making more for the next day. Lesson learned: have more stock than you think you'll need.
When you build a business, you take a dream, an idea, and make it reality. But no one can prepare you for the things that are sacrificed to make that dream come true. I've missed countless games my kids have played. I've lost touch with many friends, but the close ones track me down. I've longed for many date nights never taken with my husband. And sleep... glorious sleep. There's one you never consider: the late nights where I sit creating appliques or design sketches by the light of a Doctor Who episode, my husband diligently cutting out fabric by my side. What a treasure I have in him. But when I see where this road is taking me, I realize that those sacrifices, while difficult at times, are worth it.
Born out of a love for Star Wars, my girly geekery has come to life. Creating the Stormpooper diaper bag from literally just an idea, has been to date, my most popular item. The retro aprons I've made have been worn all around the world at Comic Cons and other events. To take a character from a comic book, and make it into a wearable, 3D "costume" was more than I ever dreamed in those early days.
A soldier's wife approached me to create the very first Military Wife bag, and I was hooked. Not only was I able to use my skill to make something very special and unique, but I was connecting with families in the Armed Forces, a cause very dear to my heart. It was because of that request I was able to bless the mother of a fallen soldier, and from there, countless others, and I saw my vision for a ministry sewn into the fabric of my business.
Since that time, I've given of my time and skill to bless families. From the wife of a fallen soldier or police officer, to their children, to those of a celebrity status, to a community in a state far away, or a family serving on the other side of the planet, I've gotten to connect with some amazing, courageous people that make my sacrifice seem very small. When you can give to someone of your time, your skill, and see the tears fall, and the joy spread across someone else's face, you realize that this dream of yours is bigger than you. It's bigger than an income. It's bigger than you ever imagined it could be.
As time goes on, I hope to create some more things that will touch the lives of others. I hope to expand my collection of creations. One day I will make my daughter's wedding dress... hopefully a very long time into the future. For now, I'm content to create in my studio, talking with customers and making their visions a reality. Because at the end of the day, without all of you, I have no reason for any of this. So to all of you, thank you for your support, your understanding, your patience, and your love. I hope I use it to bless others, and to create happiness for those I serve. I remember those early days, when life was a little less complicated and busy, and I treasure what BellaLise has become. My heart is full.
And I'm thankful for what I do, for my family, friends, and all of you.
AB