Susie Gainor
SmiLeStyles
Clutches & Totes
I started creating five years ago when
I was inspired to take scissors to
adorable outfits that my growing girls
were outgrowing way too quickly!
I would create little purses for them.
From there I taught myself to sew
and decided to open a shop on Etsy and offer my
creativity to other moms. It was a slow start, asking strangers to entrust
precious memories with a stranger wasn’t going to work so I started
experimenting with other creative ideas including simple style hobo bags.
“My love for purses, which turned into creating purses, has left
me with an unlimited supply of purses! I have mounds of them
to choose from on a daily basis.”
What made you start your small business?
About three and a half years ago I was approached by a
business out of New York who was in need of 100 hobo
bags for an event but they asked for a slightly different
style than I was currently offering. With some hesitation,
I started designing and so was born my now original and
very popular style hobo bags.
What are your favorite design/product trends?
I love working with all kinds of fabrics and have no fear trying out a new pattern or feel,
I go with what seems to be trending and popular among my customers. The chevron
trend is what truly got me to where I am.
What is the biggest challenge you face during your
daily schedule?
I would say the hardest part is time control. Some days
I find it impossible to walk away from work and feel like
I have worked for fifteen hours straight! Over the years I
have learned that there is time for work and time for play.
SmiLeStyles.etsy.com
8 | Vol. 7 | GBK’s Golden Globes Celebrity Gift Lounge