Archive for 'FAQ'
radvent day 20: mentoring
Posted on 20. Dec, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.
No matter where you are in your life or career–whether you’re a 17-year-old high school senior trying to decide what comes next, or a 55-year-old executive who feels settled and comfortable in a fulfilling career, finding mentors is a foolproof way to get your mind to work in new, creative ways. Trying to think the way someone else does by putting yourself in their environment for a day exercises your brain and refreshes your perspective.
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Remember when you were in school and you had to take a communications class? Maybe you had to give a persuasive speech, or research a business plan. In my classes, we always had to interview people–from my organizational communication classes where we learned about how to interview and hire people, to my feature writing classes where we learned about interviewing people for news stories. Those were my favorite classes (and hey, I was a communication major, so there you go) because I loved the emphasis on relationships. In journalism, I loved sitting down with regular people and learning about how magical their lives are, as each interesting fact revealed itself through the course of our conversation. Writing about their stories was an honor, putting their wisdom and experiences on paper to share with anyone who would read it.
Put yourself back in school and think of someone you have always wanted as a mentor, someone who you feel you could learn a lot from. Someone who can help you expand your set of skills and experiences, or just inspire you to do more with your talent. Think of fifteen questions to ask that person, and then ask them if they have time in the next few weeks to sit down for coffee with you.
Last week, I job shadowed for a day at Artifact Bag Company, owned by Chris Hughes. When I first met Chris in September, I fell in love with his company. I love how he uses old-school techniques and materials to make bags out of leather and waxed canvas that will absolutely last for generations, and in the business of heirloom-making myself, I wanted to skip down to his studio, bond over our love of making it pretty, and try my hand at a few of his techniques.
Chris’s studio was full of vintage industrial sewing machines that he uses to sew each bag, big work tables sourced from old factories, and rolls upon rolls of beautiful waxed canvas and hides in every shade of sand, coffee, and black. I learned how to use a strap cutter on leather, how he reinforces his stitches, and I cut out hundreds of washers from leather scraps that help strengthen the rivets on each bag. I don’t plan to break into leatherwork or start a line of bags, but watching Chris’s process taught me a lot about how I can improve my work, and spending the day with another handmade artisan was just great for my soul.
No matter where you are in your life or career–whether you’re a 17-year-old high school senior trying to decide what comes next, or a 55-year-old executive who feels settled and comfortable in a fulfilling career, finding mentors is a foolproof way to get your mind to work in new, creative ways. Trying to think the way someone else does by putting yourself in their environment for a day exercises your brain and refreshes your perspective.
Being a mentor is an amazing experience and a really fulfilling challenge too, with an enthusiastic mentee. I have mentored mainly students, as a public speaking coach for a high school speech team and as a mentor through TeamMates, a youth outreach program started by Nebraska Husker coach Tom Osborne. I also speak often at local high schools and colleges about marketing, entrepreneurship, and design. I’m back in school all the time and it really keeps me
Jane Round, an emerging Omaha fashion designer and high school senior reached out to me recently to answer a few questions for her Fashion Merchandising class. I wanted to share some of her questions to me and my responses. Maybe a few of Jane’s questions will be a great way jumping off point for you to open a conversation with a mentor of your own!
J: How did you start your business?
M: I started Princess Lasertron in 2005 when I was 19 and in college. After a few months, I realized that it was worth taking the chance to dive in and really invest time in developing my skills and knowledge to create a viable business. To take the first steps and start everything off the “right” way, I contacted a lawyer who helped me file all the paperwork to start Princess Lasertron as a sole proprietorship and gave me a quick primer on how to file tax documents! The first few quarters of filing withholding, returns, sales tax, quarterly tax estimates…each time I had to mail something to the government it took days of productivity out of my work week and killed so much enthusiasm and morale I had for pursing this business as a passion. After several years of trying to just make myself like it, I met my business advisor who has made a career out of her own passion of helping small businessowners like me pursue their goals. She took the paperwork and stress off of my plate and now I’m better able to focus on strategy, design, and production rather than government compliance. That’s a huge part of business that can’t be underplayed in the decision to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.
J: Why did you start Princess Lasertron?
M: I started a business because I wanted to have more control over my future and take advantage of my potential.
J: What is your most consistent source of inspiration?
M: My inspiration is the thought of becoming the woman I always wanted to be. Every second that I am doing work that satisfies and fulfills me, I am embodying the best version of myself. I’m also deeply inspired by my friends and colleagues here in Omaha who find similar joy and satisfaction in what they do–whether it’s in work or just life in general. I think in the future the line between “work” and “life” will continue to be blurred as people are empowered to pursue work that is more personally satisfying. That is my wish for everyone–that they are able to actualize the best, happiest version of themselves.
J: Where did you work before CAMP?
M: Before I started CAMP, Omaha’s first coworking space (where our studio is also located), I worked out of my basement, out of my home office, out of coffee shops, out of my friends’ living room couches…essentially, I was mobile. With CAMP, of course, I still have the freedom to take my work anywhere for a change of scenery, but I now have a permanent studio space to share with employees and interns, and an office space to share with other students, entrepreneurs, and motivated workers in our community.
J: What Princess Lasertron products sell the best?
M: Our kits and bouquets are our bread and butter.
J: How would you like to continue expanding?
M: I’d like to do more speaking and teaching around the world–right now we have taught sessions at creative conferences and spoken at numerous events about everything from entrepreneurship, coworking, marketing, and design to being a business-owning mom and instilling creativity in my child. I’d like to hire a team of sewers who do more of the handwork involved in our products. I’d like to do more consulting with other small businesses. I’d like to release a mainstream line of fabrics, and design a bag with Artifact Bag Company. I’m writing a book right now. I’d love to do a tv show. I don’t really limit myself as far as these fantasies go!!
J: Where do most of your sales come from?
M: We work with about 300 brides each year and we reach them online through our website, or they find us through some of our media features on blogs or in magazines. Our international customers make up 46% of our sales, so we have quite an international following which I think is only possible by focusing our marketing efforts online. My very first sale in 2005 was to an Italian bride.
J: Who is you target market? Tell me about the Princess Lasertron girl.
M: The Princess Lasertron girl is a confident, happy woman. She has a whimsical signature style and a graceful demeanor. Sophisticated, but not forgetful of the playful girl she was as a child. I draw great inspiration from my own childhood, and great comfort from the fact that I am still that person. She’s still here with me. Our target market is young women aged 18-30 who are just on the precipice of breakthroughs in life. About to graduate. About to get married. About to move into her own apartment. About to go in for that big interview. About to open the first big thick envelope from her first-choice university. My goal with Princess Lasertron is to inspire women to realize they deserve the rewards of these things. They should feel no shame in recognizing these accomplishments–these milestones–and feeling worthy of them. And if they need a great dress–well hey, we have that too.
J: What kinds of promotion do you use?
M: I do all of my marketing online by buying ads on relevant blogs and maintaining a presence on several industry message boards and communities. I use Twitter and Facebook pretty constructively and I also do some freelance writing for other blogs and magazines. I also think it’s just as important to be aware of marketing yourself when you turn off the computer, leave the office, and think you’re “off the clock.” I do this by making my best effort to dress well, speak well, and by making an effort to play a role in the arts in my community and connecting with other people who dream big dreams. I try to be my best every day because if I ever turn a corner on a street and see Andy Cohen staring me in the face, if I ever answer the phone and hear “This is Martha Stewart calling for Princess Lasertron,” I will be ready to react. This is what I meant earlier when I talked about blurring the lines between work and life–never going off the clock. It doesn’t mean you have no life. It means you love your life.
J: How have your promotional techniques evolved since beginning Princess Lasertron?
M: When I began, it actually all started with a well-placed ad on a well-trafficked wedding website. I couldn’t afford it at the time and I was absolutely wringing my hands with anxiety about whether or not I’d have to eat the cost as a huge loss. Within the hour I had gotten enough inquiries via e-mail to justify what I spent, and still today I get contacted by brides who say they first found me through that initial advertisement I bought six years ago. So much of promotion involves intuition and luck.
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Are you writing your own radvent responses in your journal or blog? Feel free to share the link–they are awesome sources of inspiration for everyone!
xo
meg
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Questions from you no. 29: Mr. Lasertron Edition
Posted on 06. Jul, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.
My husband, Dave, has been receiving questions via Formspring, e-mail, and Twitter, and we decided to condense them all into one post.
Photo by Daniel Muller for Esoteric Velvet
1. My husband says he supports my desire to start a business, but he’s so reluctant to volunteer help with the housework and kids because he says they’re “women’s work”! How did you and Megan figure out what balance works for you? Did you have to change any perceptions of “men’s” and “women’s” roles to get where you are now? Any advice for talking with my husband about this? (From A Desperate Momma)
Me and Megan both agreed on this one, but for us we felt there really are no jobs that are for “women” or “men”. We both grew up questioning many of the values that our culture, for one reason or another, has always espoused. For us, it really didn’t make sense to play along with traditional gender roles with Megan’s busy schedule. She has to invest so much time into her business(es) that it wouldn’t be practical for me to expect her to do many of the things that have been traditionally defined as “women’s work”. If I want laundry done I do it. If Megan wants the kitchen cleans she cleans it. If I want my daughter to grow up healthy and strong I cook and feed her when she’s hungry. Traditional gender roles just aren’t practical for our family.
I don’t really have any advice for how to deal with this with your husband, as everyone’s family is different. This might just be something that he has to come to for himself, but maybe you could ask him exactly what makes it woman’s work? If he has trouble explaining then maybe you should try to explain to him that for your business to be successful traditional gender roles are going to have to take a back seat.
2. My question for Mr. Lasertron is the same one you asked in your post about your recent date night. What made him change his mind and go out to breakfast with you that night? (From Sarah)
In all honesty I’m not really sure why I changed my mind. Megan and I had argued with each other online, on a local message board, before meeting in person and as I was walking home I thought to myself “Maybe hanging out with these guys would be fun?” and the rest is history.
3. How tall are you and your wife? (From Meredith)
I’m 1.98m and Megan is about 1.5m I think. In english units that’s 6’6″ for me and about 5’0″ for Megan. I think.
4. In your opinion, what are the top five baby essentials that I should get for my friend who is a new dad? (From Nicole)
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Puj Tub at pujbaby.com. This is perfect for bathing your kid hands-free in the sink until they can sit up in the big tub.
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OXO candela rechargeable lights. These are great for stumbling around in the dark every night.
xbox 360 with a netflix subscription to watch stuff while your newborn sleeps in your lap and if you move your kid will wake up and start crying. For me that was pretty much the first 8 months. I watched EVERYTHING on netflix, most of it terrible.LOTS of plain white washrags. We use about 5-10 daily because kids don’t know how to properly eat.
I will say that he doesn’t really need a diaper bag because you can put diaper stuff in anything. A messenger bag, a backpack, even a reusable nylon grocery sack. We have a Shinzi Katoh tote.
5. My husband needs some style help–how can I get my man to dress a little better? Where do you like to shop? What is your favorite outfit? (From Jackie)
My favorite place to shop is probably Macy’s when we’re on vacation in Chicago. Macy’s is on the pricey side of things but in my experience they have always been stocked with more than enough sale racks to allow me to get TONS of really nice and classy stuff on the cheap. If you’re not sure where to start get some real nice jeans, like Diesel or Seven for All Mankind. Yes they are more expensive than jeans you can get at target, but they fit so much better, look nicer, and last about 10 times longer. I have several pairs of jeans from around 2002 that I still wear today because they last so long. Because of that, you really end up saving money in the long run so there’s really no reason not to get nice high-quality jeans that fit well and look nice. I love Ben Sherman, Kenneth Cole, Perry Ellis, D&G, and I get most of my lazy clothes from Express.
6. Has it been hard supporting your wife in her business over the last five years? I imagine you have had to sacrifice somethings? (From Calliez)
Yes it has absolutely been hard. We’ve both sacrificed so much, mostly our free time. Giving up free time was hard for me because I was a HUGE slacker before I met megan and before we got married.
7. How has your relationship changed in the past year adding Alice to your family? From Katie L)
I suspect our relationship changes have probably been pretty typical of all married couples with newborns. We have a lot less husband/wife time now with alice, which turns out is pretty important. We have usually a single date night every week that we have to force ourselves to use for actual dates despite our reluctance to do so. Sometimes Megan will be so busy or I will be so exhausted that we want to spend our date nights just doing extra work, or taking naps. It has also changed for the better in some ways as well. I appreciate Megan much more now that she helps raise my beautiful daughter. Going through 60 hours of labor together, accomplishing something so great together, changed our relationship forever. We didn’t know we had that strength in us.
8. What do you do when Megan is at work? (From Peter)
If I’m watching Alice I’ll usually take her on a walk, watch TV with her, or play with her with her toys or books. Today we went to the elementary school down the street and played some basketball. If I’m not watching Alice and Megan is at work I’m either at work, napping, making food for myself/Alice (Megan doesn’t eat what I cook usually), or playing xbox.
9. Have you always been stylish?
Absolutely not. Once I grew up in my late 20s I finally got some sense of fashion and ditched the skater shoes and spiky punkrock hair.
10. Where does Mr. Lasertron get inspiration from?
I’m not really one that receives inspiration. My brain is mostly analytical, but when I do get that creative bug it usually comes from any sort of video game, scifi/fantasy movie/book, or roleplaying game I’ve done in the past. Most of that nerd energy gets channeled into some sort of obscure joke on twitter that pretty much nobody thinks is funny except me.
11. If Mr. Lasertron ruled a country he would… (From Emma)
I would probably dump an insane amount of money into fancy alternative energy sources that provide both excellent energy for my citizens and also help to fixate atmospheric carbon.
12. If you could choose an outfit for Princess Lasertron and Babytron, what would you choose?
Megan and Alice would both have to wear an outfit that’s kind of an old tymee swimsuit from the 30s with a parasol. They would be the awesomest mother/daughter combo ever.
13. What is your favorite dinner to cook?
Chana Masala is the best food on the planet.
14. What is your favorite 80′s movie?
Probably Aliens. Robocop is also amazingly good.
15. Lemonade or Iced Tea?
I like iced tea. I’m not really into sugary drinks like lemonade.
16. I would love to see one of Dave’s recipes that he likes to share with Alice. I think Vegan cooking is so interesting. Is it hard to be vegan? (From Amanda)
- 1/4th cup red lentils
- 1/4th cup cleaned quinoa
- 1 tbspn olive oil (more for flavor than for actual cooking)
- 1/2 cup some kind of mushy vegetables
- 1/4th tspn curry powder (no salt. babies don’t really need salty stuff)
- 1/4th tspn cumin seed, ground or whole
- 1/4th tspn ground coriander seed.
- Lots of water (start with a cup, but more will probably be added throughout the cooking)
Throw the lentils, quinoa and water into a small saucepan and set for low or medium low heat. Add a little bit of salt just to make the water boil at a higher temperature but not really enough to taste. Bring to boil then set for low head and cover and let simmer. Add vegetables and spices. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on how much water has boiled off. The trick is to keep checking the consistency vs the amount of water left. You want it to turn into mush obviously so the kid can eat it. You typically have to simmer for about 40 minutes. If you’re running low on water but the concoction isn’t mush yet then simply add some more water. Once it’s mush continue to boil until you get a slightly watery applesauce consistency. Let cool and let the kid eat away. This stuff also stays good in the fridge for about a week. I like eating it too so I usually make a lot.
xo
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Questions from you no. 28: Formspring edition
Posted on 23. Jun, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.
All questions via Formspring.
Q: What’s the best and worst business advice you’ve received? (From Kari)
Best: Planning is just guessing. Worst: Avoid controversy.
Q: I’m a young Mum of one and I’m currently a stay at home Mum. My question is this. How do you do it?? I feel like I’m constantly cleaning, tidying, doing laundry, entertaining my son, feeding him, changing him, buying groceries and the list goes on and on. I never quite get on top of everything. How do you manage to be such a super Mum, keep on top of laundry, have a lovely house, always dress cute and on top of that run a business and write blogs etc??? Where do you get the energy and how do you stay motivated? I need to know your secret.
My secret is the sweet and marvelous Mr. David Homan, my forever-boyfriend of six years and the man who made me a mama. We have a somewhat nontraditional dynamic that was born out of our respect for each other and the necessity created with our very different jobs. Dave has a 8-5 job at the local university. There is a great company culture there and he has the flexibility to leave early or arrive late or take time off as needed, which is great for me having a more unpredictable schedule. Alice and I wake up between 11am and noon, and I hang out at home, make our breakfasts and lunches, tidy up, finish chores, run a few errands, and take Alice into work with me. Around 5 or 6 after Dave gets off work, we spend a few hours together, he takes over with Alice, and I go back to work until 4 or 5am.
How do I keep on top of the laundry, have a lovely house, entertain my daughter, and take care of all of our errands? The answer is simple. I don’t. Dave does more than half the share of the homekeeping. He leaves his work at the office every day, but I live my job every second of every day as an entrepreneur, and his reliable schedule makes it a fit for our family for him to contribute more to the domestic duties than the average husband. He enjoys cooking, he keeps our laundry fresh and folded, and makes sure our refrigerator is stocked with soy milk and plenty of snacks while I make my contributions to the family by working. Each couple has to do what works for them, but whatever roles you choose to fulfill have to be informed by an understanding of teamwork and mutual support. What can you do to support your spouse? What can he/she do to help you?
Q: My mom doesn’t support me in my proposed career-choice. She makes me feel so useless and as if I will be wasting time. She keeps saying I don’t have enough real-world experience and that I should listen to her cause she’s wiser. What should I do?
You should prove her wrong. If you want to make it work, put in the time and work and find some mentors in your industry and focus on your commitment to your dream. However, get real with yourself. If you are only trying to pursue this career to spite your mother, you will burn out. So reflect, and ask yourself: What would I do if no one was around to make me feel bad about myself?
Q: What’s the best thing that has happened to you in business? (From Chris)
The best thing hasn’t come yet.
The day after I bought my first online advertorial on a popular blog was good because I was inundated with orders and the advertisement–which I couldn’t afford when I bought it– paid for itself instantly. It also confirmed to me that I had a product people really wanted.
The day I opened CAMP was a good day because it represented my personal goal of bringing support to Omaha’s entrepreneurs.
The day CAMP became profitable was a good day because it showed me my services were valuable to the community.
The days I hired my employees was good because then I was able to break through the ceiling that had been keeping me from earning more money.
More best things to come.
Q: Where would you like to spend your retirement?
Living on the 4th floor of Hotel Bogota on Kurfurstendamm in Berlin. Wearing eccentric glasses and directing artsy photoshoots.
Q: Is there anything that you haven’t done or learned that you’d like to try? (From Karli)
I am really eager to learn more about letterpress, bookbinding, and screen printing.
Q: Tell us: “Two things I really like to do are …” (From Paige)
Two things I really like to do are shop for new clothes online and sketch while my daughter and husband sleep near me.
Q: Did your education help you with your business? (From Jess)
I have degrees in Intercultural Communication and German with a media studies emphasis from (the now-defunct) Dana College in Blair, NE. I have only ever wanted to be an artist but in college I decided to study German and Communication because I loved the classes. I tried doing the art program but I found it much too rigid. I think I took getting graded on my artistic vision a little too personally. I chalk up my education to fun and experience. I had a great time in college and all of the experiences and opportunities I gained enriched my life.
Q: What was your wedding reception like? Did you give guests a wedding favor? What kind of food and drink was served? Did you have music or other entertainment? What motivated you at first to have a DIY wedding?
We had our wedding at The Slowdown in North Downtown Omaha in 2008. No favors. I really hate wedding favors. I think they’re tacky. Sorry, I’m a jerk! We cut the cake on stage immediately after we were pronounced husband and wife. Then as it was distributed to guests, we did toasts. Our first dance was to Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue. Vegan food, lots of booze, pizza delivered at midnight. No live band or dj—we just made a playlist of our favorite songs and brought a computer to hook up to the sound system.
Everything else was DIY, but I was never like “OH I WANT IT TO BE DIY.” I’m really not a “do-it-yourself person.” I would have loved to pay someone to do all of the work. I just didn’t see anyone doing what I wanted, so I did it myself. We saved money by staying low-maintenance.
Q: Are you planning to have any more children?
Yes! It’s so hard to know when to take the plunge with number two.
Q: How do you get Alice to giggle/laugh so sweetly when you take her photos (especially the ones wear she’s on the rug). Is she just a naturally giggly baby?
She LOVES to have her picture taken. I usually do something before taking her picture to make her laugh too–giving her a little tickle, making a funny face, or singing a song.
Q: Would you ever consider writing a book about your experience with Alice thus far? I love your approach to pregnancy, birthing, postpartum body and fashion, working mom, and your general overview of parenting.
I would love to write a book about being Alice’s mom. I’ve never been a “mommy blog” fan so I try not to turn this into one, but if people would read a book about my experience I would write it if the opportunity presented itself!
Q: Finish this sentence: If I knew then, what I know now:
If I knew then what I know now, I would sleep better at night knowing it all turns out okay.
Next edition: Questions for Mr. Lasertron. Fire away–I can use a few more for him to answer.
xo
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my real life: ten things I’m really into
Posted on 20. Apr, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.
Great question sent to me by a reader recently:
Dear Princess Lasertron:
I have been reading your blog for a few years and I love the look into your life that you share with your readers. I know that you love party planning, needlework, your community, stuff like that–but outside of work and your daughter, what are you into?
-Rochelle
1. Amateur Radio
It’s a little-known fact that radio was my obsession before I started my business. I started in journalism in high school (and won state twice with my staff, and once as a feature writer!) and then worked for my local newspaper, and then that interest evolved into news radio where I found a real passion. I did radio in college and worked for a popular local news radio station, and I wanted to become a producer before my business took off.
Though it takes the back seat now to my work–today’s passion–my hobby is still radio and I am steadily studying for my technician license. I fantasize about setting up a shack in my house and building an antenna, and someday I would like to have a career in radio still.
2. …and Art Bell
My two biggest inspirations in radio have been the late-night shows Nightcaps and Coast to Coast AM. I am not the tattooing type, but if I ever had to get ink it would be Art’s call-in lines for Coast from the 1990s. I got in trouble when I was little for listening to Coast late into the night–sometimes until 3 or 4am–but I think it was an amazing influence on my imagination and curiosity. I’ve been listening now for 17 years. (I can’t believe that.)
3. Sunglasses
I’m not a purse person or a shoe person. I have dozens of sunglasses though–they are my weakness. They always look good and are such an easy way to set the mood of an outfit. Glamorous? Retro-inspired? Youthful?
4. Trolling Forums
My husband and I sort of fell in love over forum trolling and I spent many entertaining hours in high school changing the facts on Wikipedia pages. I don’t make time anymore to develop stories or characters or invest in really derailing topics, but I still get a rise out of saying something lulzy or untrue on Facebook or in message boards and seeing who will rise to take the bait. If you don’t fall for the joke, you get to be in on it.
5. Going out to eat with friends
I don’t cook anything well and I like to work through meals, so nothing makes me happier than going out to one of my favorite restaurants with a friend in tow. My coworking space started by going out to eat to work constantly with friends. My employees and I go out all the time to talk about our ideas and progress. And when Alice comes along? Well, she just loves being seen.
6. Reality TV
If someone is getting voted off, thrown under the bus, or having their wig yanked off, it is on my DVR.
7. Collecting dishes
When I got married I took the opportunity to register for all of the dishes I loved most. Almost all of my dishes are by Rosanna Bowles, who I got to meet a few years ago at Country Living’s Women Entrepreneurship conference. I tried to be cool but I was totally freaking out.
8. Industrial Dance music
My husband introduced me to gothic/industrial dance music, much of which originates in Germany. I started listening to translate the lyrics for him and got kind of hooked. I am a secret goth.
9. Libertarianism and Austrian Economics
I don’t talk a lot about politics online because I think it is too divisive and internet arguments never change anyone’s mind. But a big aspect of my “real life” is advocating Libertarian viewpoints and the problems with centrally planned economies.
10. Traveling
I used to go to a handful of places each year, but most of my non-business-related travel is on hold right now through Alice’s babyhood. I have a travel savings account that I am loading up for when she is four or five years old and old enough to appreciate–and remember–our trips together. I love to be continually reminded that I am a citizen of the world, and it’s important to us that Alice learn to respect other cultures and experience life through the lens of others who share this earth with us. …And I always say that’s why I love Omaha so much–because it is a great place to come home to.
Feel free to ask me anything on Formspring, or my e-mail is always open!
xo
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questions from you no. 27
Posted on 30. Jan, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.
A quickfire! Here are some of the quickies I’ve had sitting in my Formspring inbox.
Q: What breed is Turbo?
A: He’s a formerly homeless alley cat–he looks like he might have some Maine Coon in him though. I don’t like breeding.
Q: Have you ever closed the door on an opportunity or a relationship in order to open another door, only to realize you made the wrong choice?
A: I always end up happy, so I think my choices have been okay. You never know what could have been–that is the price you pay to live.
Q: Speaking as someone who had a very complicated wedding day (the bodice of my dress collapsed on the altar) how do you look back at your wedding day now? Anything you’d change?
A: That sounds like a real nightmare–and I don’t get driven to wedding-related sympathy easily! I remember my wedding fondly but I wish I had gotten a chance to eat. The venue was super crowded and I never got a chance to make my way to the vegan buffet! Generally it was a great day and very representative of our “normal.” It isn’t normal for us to get a limo or have a spa day or create a seating chart or have equal numbers of male and female friends. I just wanted to have a party, not “do a wedding.”
Q: Is your plan to be a big fashion icon in Omaha? Or do you goal to move to a bigger fashion capital when you can?
A: I don’t consider myself a fashion icon in Omaha and it’s not in my plans. My ultimate goal is to use my gifts–entrepreneurship, creativity, communication, persistence, diligence–to bring ideas and resources to help the people in my city. I love to travel, I would go crazy if I couldn’t experience other amazing cultures around the world, but I love Omaha. My heart belongs to Omaha.
Q: When did you guys get Turbo?
A: We got Turbo in 2007! I can’t believe it’s been that long already. He still feels like our new pet.
Q: What kinda things do you like to snack on?
A: Potato chips, apple slices, crackers with cheese, hummus and pita, grapes. I honestly don’t snack much because I am too busy. I like meals. However, my mom always is baking and when I visit my parents (a few times each week), I can’t help but graze on whatever goodies are sitting on the counter!
Q: I’ve had bad hosting experiences. how can I get over them? once someone scratched my leather sofa (by accident). another time chips and chocolate got all over the carpet. People kept stepping on it and it took forever for me to clean it up.
A: I admit that I have a mental list of acquaintances who I am not likely to invite to a party in my house unless I’m moving furniture out of the way and expecting a mess. Only invite people in who respect your home. If they can’t do that, party outside.
Q: Hi, what program do you use to make graphic designs? Did you design the layout for your Princess Lasertron site?
A: No! I am not a graphic designer. All of my graphics and layouts are done by my bff Eric Downs, owner of Downs Design.
Q: How did you chose Alice’s first and middle name?
A: Alice Elfie. It came to me suddenly in the car on the way to a Labor Day party. When I was little I went through a phase when I only wanted to be called Alice and I told everyone my name was Alice. Elfie is a nickname for “Elfriede,” a common German name I first heard when I was in Berlin for school. It was equally important to me to have a name that sounded good and looked good on paper, and Alice Elfie works for me.
Q: How on earth do you go about organizing all your paperwork and important stuff like that?
A: I have a drawer for receipts that I organize after it gets full, a drawer for legal paperwork and contracts, a file with spaces for each months’ weddings and a file with spaces for invoice receipts from the orders that go out each month. Invitations are immediately put into my planner (I only use a pen-and-paper one). My assistant Shannon is the one who really makes most of it “work.” I have to keep it organized though because the thought of accidentally forgetting a customer haunts me.
xo
meg
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Featured In
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- questions from you no. 21
- photos from janni and dennis's wedding
- Amy and Dave's Magical Telluride Wedding
- alice elfie's birth story (part 2)
- amber and ryan's flowers
- marketing your personality in the design industry: things employers want that can't be found on your resume
- photos from this week
- emma and pie's british treehouse wedding: flowers and photos
- cristina's flowers
- today's outfit and what I'm working on
