Two best friends from the Peninsula step up
to the challenge of starting a small business
Billi Blues is an exciting new shoe brand that
takes previously cherished vintage boots and
transforms them into beautifully reworked
pieces. Officially launched late last year, Billi
Blues is the creative partnership of two best
friends from the Mornington Peninsula, Lulu
Harris and Jaye Wearne.
The tale of Billi Blues is not one of overnight success, with
humble beginnings as a pop up stall, Lulu and Jaye initially
sold their hand crafted boots from the back of a van along
the Mornington Peninsula. When trying to take their business
to the next level, the girls experienced several issues from
their suppliers as well retailers.
“It was difficult to find a supplier who had our best interests at
heart, as well as their own” says co-founder Lulu Harris. After
much trial and error with suppliers, they eventually managed
to source a reliable supplier in the USA, with whom they
have developed a longstanding relationship. They have since
set up other international partnerships to ensure growing
demands are met.
Billi Blues is now selling nationwide and internationally,
including the USA, Malaysia and Thailand. “It’s been a real
learning experience for us” states co founder Jaye, “The
moment we get up in the morning to the moment we go to
sleep, we are constantly working towards making the Billi Blues
experience the best it can be for our customers. For us it’s a
personal venture, we love to watch our boots mature from the
initial design stage right through to seeing the life they live once
purchased. Nothing is more satisfying than receiving photos and
emails from our beautiful customers and finding out where each
pair has ended up.”
Social media has also proven to be a facilitator for the
success of Billi Blues, helping them generate initial buzz.
“Using Facebook and Instagram, we’ve managed to foster a
vibrant community with people all around the world. It’s been
such a resourceful tool, i