Katie Lou Who's blog

Feature Friday, Sunday ~ Haley Goes to India

Image designed by Tamra Call, via Haley's Blog.

 

Today's feature is a bit different than the previous businesses and organizations that have been on the blog. I'd like to share the amazing story/plans of a friend of mine, Haley Grayless. Haley is a mutual friend of Paige and I and each time we meet I am inspired by her attitude towards life and her constant pursuit of bettering the lives of others.

She graduated last year from the University of Missouri where she spent four years very involved in her community. On the unbelievable list of organizations that Haley donated her time to are Jumpstart  (an Americorps program), Granny's House and her local church, The Crossing. She describes some of her best memories of college as time spent with the Rwandan children whom she befriended while volunteering at Granny's House.

Haley's most recent endeavor has been raising funds and planning for her upcoming two year stay in India. When she was 15 Hayley became aware of the sex trafficking and sex slavery happening in India and the country has been on her mind ever since. She will be working with an organization called Vessels International in New Delhi, India that is working to decline sex slavery, possibly the worst human rights violation happening in the world today. 

Recently Haley created this amazing video to share with others the reality of what is happening to young women and girls and the need for her to travel to India. (If you are viewing this in a 'reader' you may have to visit the actual blog to view the video!) 

I thought that this was definitely worth sharing with as many people as possible. Below, I've linked ways to contact Haley and to read more information about her trip.

Haley's Call to India from haley grayless on Vimeo.

~ Haley's Blog!

~ Haley receives a portions of the profits when items are purchase from her "Lemonade Stand!"

~ For further questions, comments or other ways to help you can contact Haley at: haleygrayless@gmail.com

Feature Friday ~ Blogs

Today's Feature Friday is a bit different than before... Instead of featuring a specific business I am featuring some of my most favorite blogs! I may feature some of these people and their businesses in a "regular" Feature Friday in the future but here are links to their blogs/shops so you can go ahead and check them out.

1. The very first blog I ever subscribed to in google reader was A Beautiful Mess by Elsie Flannigan. Elsie is pretty much the Queen of crafts in Springfield, MO where she runs a cute little shop on Commercial Street called Red Velvet Art. She's published a book, has a line of scrapbooking paper and supplies and is constantly teaching interesting online classes!

 

This is one of the dresses in the Red Velvet Art spring 2010 line! You can check out Elsie's Etsy here as well!

2. Next is a blog by Lisa Congdon titled "A Collection a Day." Lisa is an artist and illustrator who posts one picture a day of a collection that she owns (sometimes she draws one that she wishes she owned!) I love this because it is quick to read and always interesting. She's got TONS of stuff!

A few examples....

3. Apartment Therapy. This blog is overwhelmingly awesome. It's a business and not run by a single person... There are usually around 50-60 posts a day about anything and everything having to do with decorating, designing, painting, efficiently using storage space and anything else you can imagine involving an apartment. I can get lost in this blog.

4. While we are on the topic of decorating I'll go ahead and mention Young House Love! This is a relatively new addition to my reader but I absolutely love it!

John and Sherry are young newly-ish weds who bought their first house and are sharing their journey of fixing it up with the world! They literally do everything themselves and are always working on a tight budget! Their posts are incredibly detailed and informative! You can also check out their own DIY wedding, party ideas, fun trips and other miscellaneous projects! They have been featured on HGTV and are available for hire for anyone in need of design help!

5. The Sew Weekly is definitely my favorite sewing blog! Mena is sewing one piece of clothing a week for the entire year! She shares her fun fabric and pattern finds and sometimes sells extras in her Etsy shop. She often makes 40's and 50's inspired dresses and it makes me want to be really good at sewing one day!

 Alright... That's it for the first installment of Feature Friday today.... I may post a second installment this afternoon. Right now my parents and I are getting ready to head south to see the the St. Louis Cardinals play in spring training. :) 

Feature Friday ~ Alea Lovely Photography

Her mom always said, "Alea, if you say something, it will happen."

 

I can't speak for other aspects of her life but in this case her mom was spot on. Three years ago Alea Looney was a college admissions office employee from Kansas City, Missouri who decided to buy a camera. Today she is currently living in London photographing fashion models for a living.

 

With a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Alea had some experience with broadcast, theater and film, but never photography. In January of 2007 a friend aspiring to be a fashion model asked Alea to take some pictures. With her 5 pixel point and shoot camera she happily obliged not knowing that this would be a turning point in her life. She enjoyed photographing her friend and realized that she loved the creativity involved in creating a unique photograph. 

 

Two days later Alea bought a camera. A big, nice, expensive camera that needed to be paid off. With no formal training and no idea what the capabilities of her new toy were, Alea went to work. She spent the next year learning, researching and photographing. Thus, Atograhpy was born.

  

"I was on Google for hours and hours a day. How do I make my picture look like that? What affect does Photoshop offer to capture this light?" Alea began teaching herself everything she needed to know about photography. In the beginning she says her style changed weekly as she learned different techniques. Originally she didn't want her name as the face of her company. Atography represented a company, not just an individual. 

 

While learning about photography Alea also faced the challenge of creating a business. After setting up what she calls her "faux Myspace" page for Atography, Alea began to book clients. She offered shoots for $100 and people started buying them. Turns out, they liked the photography!  She knew fairly quickly that she would need to create a business plan. Photography is a competitive business in Kansas City and it was hard to get advice from fellow photographers because of their secretive natures.

Alea’s new business flourished quickly. She started with portrait shoots, engagement photos and senior pictures. Although she "was really nervous to do weddings at first" with her enthusiasm and creative eye she was a natural.  Alea attended a photography summit where she realized that photographing weddings could not only be a business, but could be done creatively. After about a year she began to entertain the idea of quitting her day job and pursuing photography as a full time "bill paying" career. As she began to plan, design and prepare she decided that June 2008 would be her 'go-live' deadline.

 

As usual life threw in several unforeseen hurdles and she had to change/accept that her new deadline would be in August 2008. Unbeknownst to Alea the admissions staff had become aware of her desire to pursue photography as a career. Although unexpected, this gave Alea a quick (and supported) exit. Although feeling unprepared and nervous of taking this big step, sales went through the roof! As she continued to photograph weddings and portraits though she began to feel bored with her work. "I began to lose the love for what I did."

 

Coming from a very creative background Alea wanted her work to reflect her creative base; weddings were not fulfilling this. "I wanted to let my photography bleed into my art."

 

Doing what others would consider crazy and intimidating Alea decided to jump into the world of fashion. She chose London for its fashion culture and because it was a central location between her boyfriend's home country of Poland and the United States. Tired of how business was running in the States and ready to face the new challenges Alea changed the name of her business to Alea Lovely. In Kansas City business was dictated by other individuals and not by her own creativity. The new name brought everything full circle back to "just her and her camera." The word 'lovely' was the word she most commonly heard used to describe her pictures. Put together with her first name it represented a re-birth of the business and re-brand of her as a photographer. 

 Since arriving in London almost six months ago the main challenge has been networking. Alea describes arriving in a new location with no contacts as the hardest part. "I networked on Facebook. I joined groups and posted things everywhere." Someone saw her work, contacted her and she did her first fashion shoot immediately after arriving in London. Although this contact has opened up opportunities and led her to even more contacts finding a job has still been a challenge. She got an opportunity from a big, mid-range level modeling agency and has been shooting their models for free to get lots of portfolio work. It's much different in London as far weddings go. "People just don't get married!" She will be shooting her first British wedding in a few weekends! "The greatest thing about fashion is that there are no limits. You can't just tell a bride to stand on top of something and wear a foil necklace. With fashion you can take it to the next level."

 

When asked where she sees herself in five years Alea giggles and replies, "I'm directionless." Unfortunately she has to move back to the U.S. in about a month because she was unable to get a work visa. Until they are married Alea and her boyfriend are seemingly unable to live in the same country. At this point she's not sure whether to continue Midwest weddings or work in the small, underpaid U.S. fashion market... The possibilities are endless. She would really like to break into the film world as well and will be filming and editing her first wedding next week!  Alea’s been featured in several magazines and has explored breaking into entirely new markets. She says that a definite goal is to live and work internationally. "There are so many different places I'd like to live and photograph."

 

Alea describes herself as a "good imitator, not a good photographer." She knows how to take a beautiful photo but her own style is still developing.

You can check out more of Alea's work and find her blog and contact info at www.alealovely.com!

To go straight to more amazing pictures you can check out her flickr photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/alealovely/!!

   

Feature Friday Sneak Peak

Tomorrow's feature has lots of beautiful photo's like so....

 

Feature Friday ~ Wearable Art

This Friday I'm excited to introduce to you a brand new business; the fun and unique, Wearable Art! This business is especially interesting to me because it is owned and operated by one of my childhood friends Taylor Fox. We grew up living down the street from one another and I knew that his creativity and innovative ideas would take him far ever since he asked me out in 6th grade with the email address "pleasegooutwithmekatie AT hotmail DOT com.":)

Today, as a University of Missouri MBA student Taylor is channeling his creativity into this up and coming business! The theme is very literally, art that you can wear. The company manufacturers t-shirts that come with special fabric markers. The numerous t-shirts designs (which are also customizable) are comparable to a picture in a color book; perfect for a child to color! Taylor takes us through the process of starting Wearable Art and how it works in his interview.

1. First, where did you come up with the idea for t-shirts that can be colored on?

My cousin Mike, father of two young kids, often faced the boredom dilemma when he brought his kids to work with him. Happening to work at a screen printing office; one day with extra paint and extra white t-shirts lying around, Mike screen printed the outline of a train in black and let his son Arlen, 5, do the rest with paint. After making Arlen's artwork permanent, Arlen, so proud of the shirt, insisted on wearing it for a week straight. 

2. Once you had the basic idea what was the next step? i.e., logo, name, packaging, etc.

We initially thought we would copy "Build-a-Bear's" theme and make small retail stores where kids could come in and color shirts, have birthday parties, etc. We would offer rhinestones and other appliques; stock certain designs and offer custom designed shirts. However this presented a lot more risk and more commitment upfront to an idea we weren't sure about. We held a few birthday parties and kids loved them! So we decided to work on ways to package the experience to be sold in stores. The name just came to us but packaging has gone through many revisions. The coloring method started as paint, then moved to non-toxic paint, then to markers and finally pastel dye sticks. I still do however, feel a place for birthday parties would be great and do well. We are looking at having places who host birthday parties pick up our product.

3. How did you go about finding a manufacturer for your product? Was that process difficult?

Mike's profession as a screen printer gives us a significant competitive advantage. We can easily turn orders around and print custom designs inexpensively. He knew where to get shirts and we simply had to find the plastic for the bag, a local printer to print the header on the package, cardboard inserts and the pastels. I mentioned above the struggle to ultimately find the pastels. Mike and Binky Guy Textiles  put the product together and package it. 

4. I know that you attended a trade show with your finalized product. Did you find this a successful/useful tool for marketing.

It was huge. We are still receiving orders from people we met at the trade show over a month ago. Although we didn't sell enough at the actual show to cover all fees and expenses of the trip, we have now. Further, the contacts you make at these shows make all of the difference. Everything from kids magazines and blogs, to finding Chinese manufacturers, to getting advice and feedback and making sales, the trade show does soooo much. We found our first sales rep through the show as well. We have already signed up for a show in Chicago this summer.

5. How long did the entire process of starting your own business take AND what did you find the most challenging?

The initial idea hit us in December 2008 and it took about a year to get the product ready to go in stores. However, there would be months where we would lose focus or motivation and not do anything related to Wearable Art. Mike and I also have full time jobs/student work. The hardest part for me was staying committed with an uncertain project taking up so much time and not making any money. It is so refreshing to be accepting payments and finally be making money.

6. Do you outsource any aspects of the business such as website design, accounting, etc.?

We do everything but make the materials used for the packaging and the pastel dye sticks. We built the website, which looks pretty professional in my opinion, using an online service called wix.com. It is an amazing flash site and at $5 per month, it is a steal. I do the accounting. We both do some sales but you could say we are trying to outsource some of that to our sales reps as well. Finally, in a partnership with the Mizzou MBA program, we have two teams of students doing some market research for us that needs to be done. 

7. Finally, as a relatively new business what are your goals for the first year? 

We haven't set numerical goals but there are a few things we are striving for. First, we are young enough to only have had a couple of customer re-orders. I would like to see some validation of the product in a retail setting. I would like to have sales reps covering the entire country with product in at least half the states. We are currently in 4. Finally, Wearable Art needs a focus. From Gas stations, to corporate picnics, to art museums, schools and even daycares: Wearable Art could be sold to numerous channels. Being so small, we need a focus and it is hard to determine where. Any advice is appreciated!

If your're interested in ordering shirts, customizing a design or just getting more information check out their website at coloryourclothes.com!  

AND 

Become a fan on facebook here!

AND

Keep up to date with the latest new by following Wearable Art on twitter!

Thanks Taylor and good luck in your first year of business!

Feature Friday ~ Sseko Sandals

I was introduced to Sseko Sandals by a friend about 6 months ago. As an advocate of women and women's education I was immediately interested in this business. The dream of Liz Forkin Bohannon, Sseko Sandals is a Ugandan based business that employees women to help fund their education. Liz described much of how it works in my interview with her.

1. First, I've got to ask; how did you end up in Uganda? And how soon after college did you travel there?

I moved to Uganda about 3 months after I graduated. I knew I wanted to spend some time in Africa. At that time, I had a friend who lived in Kampala who offered to let me live with her until I got my feet on the ground. There was a youth development organization based in Kampala that has a mission and vision that really resonated with me. My background is in communications, so I decided to volunteer with this group doing donor relations, writing and general public relations work. That is what I did for the first couple months I was there...until I met an incredible group of young women...and the story changes a little bit.

2. How did you decide on sandals? Was there an 'aha" moment where you knew that sandals were the key?

The youth development organization I was working with has a girl's Leadership Academy. It is a highly competitive secondary school that preps students for University. The Ugandan school system is designed with a nine month gap between secondary school and university. These nine months are intended to allow time for students to earn money for tuition before continuing on to university. However, in an impoverished and male dominated society, many of these young women struggle to find fair work during this time. The logical (and at the time, seemingly simple) solution to this problem was to start a company that could provide sustainable, fair wage employment to get these bright young women on to University. I wanted to make a product for the western market. Specifically, I wanted to target women, who I thought would really get behind and get excited about supporting these young women across the globe. So shoes were the answer!

3. Once you were set on sandals how did you go about creating them? It seems so intimidating to design and create something while wandering through a foreign country!

Trial and error in the most literal sense. I had the basic design in mind and from there I just set out on a hilarious journey of trying to develop the first "prototype." Literally, I wandered around the city for two days in the rain, looking for a tool to punch holes in leather. I finally found it! And it was basically a makeshift punch welded out of two pieces of a car. Also, I wanted to use all local materials in an effort to not only provide employment to these young women, but to stimulate and support the local economy as well. I tried a ton of different things: methods, materials, designs until finally I came up with what is now known as a Sseko sandal!

4. What is the process like for selecting the Ugandan women that you will employ?

We actually leave the hiring up to the school administration. They know the girls better than we do at that point and basically recommend the girls that they think would probably have the most difficult time finding work once they graduate high school. (That usually has to do with what area of the country they are from, their family backgrounds etc.) 

5. Is there something that you can pin point as the biggest challenge throughout the entire process of starting your own business? (in another country no less!)

So. Much. To. Do.  Trying to start a manufacturing company in a country that just doesn't really have the infrastructure or systems set up to produce means. We had to start at square one with everything--from the creation of the production to the actual sale and telling the story and everything in between. This could probably be a really long, dramatic answer. I will leave it at that and let your imaginations wander. (And say that I never knew starting a company would involve so many near-death experiences on the back of motorcycles carrying a bag of fifty sandals on my head...)

6. Where do you see Sseko Sandals five years from now?

My goal for Sseko is that we would grow to where we can offer employment to every girl that graduates from the Leadership Academy to ensure that they continue their education. At that point, our first classes of girls will also be graduated from college. I would love for these women to come back and have leadership, management and ownership positions within the company.

I REALLY want these blue and white sandals! (Mom... size 7!) :) Haha.

Isn't this a great organization? Not only does the purchase of some sandals get you an entirely unique pair of shoes but it also supports the education of someone! The fabric of the sandals changes with what is available for purchase at the market!

To buy your sandals, learn more about Sseko, see more styles and follow their blog check out:

www.ssekodesigns.com 

Thanks to Liz (and Sseko Sandals) for her unbelievably inspiring story and organization!

Feature Friday ~ Chase Heilman Photography

Today's super amazing and awesome feature is Chase Heilman Photography. This is a really neat feature for me because I have seen Chase Heilman Photography grow and become successful before my eyes. Chase, owner and photographer of Chase Heilman photography, is one of my best friends from high school. It's been incredible to see this adventure unfold and I can not wait to see where it takes him in the future. I had a brief opportunity to ask Chase a few questions.

1. When did you know that you wanted to pursue photography?

I've known since I was about 12 that I wanted to be a professional photographer.

 

2. Would you recommend going to an art school or learning the art as you go?

I would definitely recommend art school. I graduated from the Colorado Art Institute located in Denver. It is expensive but with all the new technology in the photography world it is vital; an art school can loan you the equipment and teach you to use it.  Knowing photography history is also imperative in making you a better photographer.  I also found that school provides a network of people to make your work stronger. Without many of the contacts I met in school I would not have become as successful or 'well-networked as I am. Working with others pushes you and makes you want to do better work.

3. What are the photography blogs/sites that you check daily?

I religiously follow four blogs that I check daily: blog.chasejarvis.com, aphotoeditor.com, pdnonline.com, and commarts.com . The final site, Communication Arts is a paid subscription but it has the best photography, advertising, and website information around.

 

4. If you could create/work the perfect "dream job" what would it be?

I am going to achieve this. It isn't so much a dream as it is a goal to be slayed.  I want to run a photography/marketing company for non-profits that does work nationally and internationally.  Working with non-profits that are making a difference fighting poverty, hunger and homelessness gives me a drive like no other. When I contribute to a worthy cause and can make a decent living in the process, that's the dream.  Not only that but I want to be an employer that helps others realize their dreams.

5. Thus far, is there a photo or specific shoot that stands out as your favorite?

I have a photoshoot coming up that is the beginning of the dream and goal I stated above. I will be traveling to Nicaragua and working with the Rainbow Network, a non-profit that aims to end poverty in Nicaragua (The poorest of all central american nations).  As far as a specific photograph... I photographed a couple dancing while I was in school in Denver that really was a favorite. 

6. What are your goals for 2010?

Even though 2010 has already begun I have started working on making things happen. I have three current jobs that need to be finished and finished brilliantly.  After the Nicaragua trip I aim to take that work and advertise it to other non-profits with a similar philosophy. Hopefully I can find two more clients ready and willing to fund a photography shoot in their respective fields.  Most of all I want to become a better photographer, a better businessman, and realize a dream that started almost a decade ago when I got that first camera.

 

Check out Chase's website and blog at:

www.chaseheilman.com and www.chaseheilman.blogspot.com

You can also purchase his work at:

www.redbubble.com/people/chaseheilman 

Featuring "Kiki and Punkin"

I'm excited to introduce "Kiki and Punkin" as my first ever 'Feature Friday' feature!

 

"Friends Wendy Morlan and Linda Regan share a love for everything artsy, crafty and creative! For years they've regularly gathered to "make things" as an outlet for their overflowing creativity, when one day, one looked at the other and said, "We should start a business!"
 
Neither will own up to being the one who made that statement. But, they did agree they were making enough "stuff" to sell ~ so, start a business they did!
 
Their goals? Use beads and bangles and sparkly "things" to enhance everything they make. Mass produce NOTHING. Have fun. Think creatively. And be inventive. To remind them of these goals, they used their childhood nicknames to name the business.
 
Both Kiki and Punkin have fulltime day jobs. Wendy (Kiki) is the head librarian for Pleasanton Library in Pleasanton, Kansas. Linda (Punkin) is a development director for The Child Advocacy Center in Springfield, Missouri."

        

   

This little business venture is especially close to my heart because "Punkin" aka, Linda is my Mom! Along with selling things at Art fairs they opened an etsy shop in late October!

www.kikiandpunkin.etsy.com

Make sure to check back frequently for new items! They are also open to custom requests if interested.

Alright! Happy Friday. Thanks for being a part of my first Feature Friday. We're off to Gainesville now to prepare for our 5k tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it goes!