|
Crafty Divas and Entrepreneurial Empresses
November 2004's Diva
Michelle Hodges of
of MaddyBags.com
I am Michelle Hodges, the founder of MaddyBags. We are located in Overland Park, KS. (a suburb of Kansas City) We make custom designed handbags, unique to each individual because they choose their fabrics, trims, handles etc. MaddyBags has a studio where all individuals can come in and pick out their own handbags, they can choose to have their own MaddyBag get together or we have many consultants throughout the Kansas City area that will hold MaddyBags parties at the hostess's home if that is more convenient. People just love to get together and design and "build-a-bag" and let their personalities shine through! It's exciting to watch someone get enthusiastic over their fabric choice! Something about me and my personality, well, let's just say I really excelled in my fashion classes and not so hot in any "core" classes. I'd say to wrap it up , I love fabric, all fabric! "Give me fabric and make it Pink!!!!"
**********************************************************
The Gallery
**********************************************************
**********************************************************
The Interview
**********************************************************
The Basic Lowdown:
I've been doing this for about 2 years.
The moment this became a business vs. a hobby was when I noticed I was calling my husbands office "the sewing room" I knew then I was going down a totally different road and I had better stop and make some adjustments.
My previous business experience was trying to count what was my money vs. what was my tip money when I waitressed for 7 years. (I waitressed with both pregnancies even through my twins!) But seriously the business part of MaddyBags was definitly new to me however my husband has a Masters in Business so I can get some help there.
The resources I like and find helpful are Entrepreneur Magazine, and of course seeking out other women who have ventured out on their own. Talking to as many women as I can is a huge help, every little piece of advice is a treasure to be tucked in my little brain. They are all little gems that one day will help when I need it.
My biggest obstacle in selling what I create? My biggest obstacle has been money, money, money. Without financial backing we've had to start out watching every penny. With a small business I've found that can really make you or break you. Without the proper amout of money, we lack a lot of technology that our competition has that would help us expand. We could use more capitol to hire more people to get our bags out at 4 weeks instead of 6 which again is where our competition is at. Money is the name of the game sometimes. But I have to think we are doing something right for not having taken out a loan and being where we are after 2 years, I know we've been blessed.
The internet has made such a huge impact on our business! For one, I wouldn't have found you! Just this alone will reach many people and if the worst case scenerio happens and only 1 person is interested, that's 1 more than we had and we still get to add you to our "press" page! Actually, you guys will be the beginning of our press page! But also the internet has given us the opportunity to reach people from Hawaii, to California to Texas to be consultants! Talk about crazy!! Awesome!!
Choosing the fabrics and trims for the bags, well that's the fun part. I love fabric, always have always will. I can remember when I was a little girl my mom would take my sister and I furniture shopping. I hated it, took forever!! My sister loved it and of course she is an interior decorator. But then would come the time that we would get to pick out the fabric for our couches or chairs, AHHH! Heaven. Loved it!! Now, I am constantly watching people everywhere I go. I constantly tear out pic's of magazines, cataloges, newspapers, store ads. Anything that has anything to do with clothing or fashion I hoard it. Everything influences everything!
Because I have this disease with fabric, I've collected over 250 fabrics. We have over 40 different trims and over 20 different style handles. I knew that when I wanted a purse and my husband wouldn't let me buy one (it was a Kate Spade with flowers) I decided to make myself one. I picked out everything to make myself the most perfect purse. I took it to bible study and that was that! I started to listen to what people were saying and was hearing that they wanted this and that and that's how it took off. I just thought why should I be the only one who gets the purse I want. Shouldn't everyone have access to having a purse that shows who they are? We do it through our clothing, our make up and our hair, it's about time we do it through our handbags.
My business in 6 months, I can see just busting out the seams of where we are now. We are getting a little cramped as it is. We've been blessed incredibly and the blessings keep coming. It's almost scary to think about 6months down the road let alone 5 years. My original vision for MaddyBags was to have build-a-bags stores. Where the fabric, trim, handles, etc. were set out and friendly diva girls would be able to help women put together purses, diaper bags, wallets, checkbook covers, etc. I'd love to see in 5 years opening a few MaddyBag studios, my next studio would be in North Carolina in Charlotte.
What keeps me going on a bad day? The knowledge that this is exactly where God wants me to be and if I just follow His plan he will keep blessing me and the business that He's put me in.
Favorite place to shop of all time, even as a little girl, Bloomingdale's!! My mom and dad would send my sister and I out to Long Island to visit our grandparents and my wonderful grandfather would always take us to Bloomie's to shop. Major tender memories! Now I just shop for my daughter, I love Limited Too, does that count?
The best piece of advice I've been given? A minute on the lips, a year around the hips!! (hindsight, always 20/20)
What piece of advice to a future Crafty Diva? If you feel it in your heart that this is right, then do it!
~November 2004
**********************************************************
Your Chance to Win!
**********************************************************
This month Michelle from MaddyBags.com is giving you a chance to Build-A-Bag of your very own! Check out all of the fabulous fabrics she has to offer, choose your favorite, and be entered to win a MaddyBag of your very own design! Visit our Contests area for details and to enter. Good luck!
****************************
Are you a Crafty Diva and Entrepreneurial Empress? Or do you know one that should be featured in a future Girlposse.com issue? If so, visit our Crafty Diva Info Page for the details.
****************************
send this review to a friend
current misc. reviews past misc. reviews
2003 Crafty Divas Hall of Fame
2004 Crafty Divas Hall of Fame
|
|
Looking for a book?
Use this convenient Search Box from Amazon.com
|
|
Printer Friendly Version