Thanks to Layla Grayce we were introduced to the lovely, Kathy Denness of Clairebella. Kathy brings us "beautiful products for stylish living" and we just can't get enough of the collection of goodies. And, well - she is just the sweetest!
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| {Kathy of Clairebella} |
Our favorite? We absolutely adore their super-stylish trays. Just in time for the entertaining season, they are beyond perfect to serve your guest or to keep on display. We love it on our desk too! It is the perfect place for papers.
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| {Super-Stylish Melamine Personalized Zebra Tray, $43} |
We are thrilled to let you get to know her just a little bit more. Check out our chat with Kathy below and enter to win $100 to get your shop on!
{1} Tell us about Clairebella and what inspired you to begin the biz.
Initially, Clairebella started as a baby products business. I was a stay-at-home mom and always had an entrepreneurial bug. I was living in Australia and started with hand-painted kid's furniture. When I moved back to the US, I saw an opportunity to launch Clairebella. The company is named after my daughter, Claire. In 2009, we moved from moses baskets and soft goods to the personalized line we have now. We really found our niche and the line took over- to the point that it didn't make sense to try to continue with both. We now have a juvenile products license with David Textiles, who produces Clairebella fabric by the yard, burp cloth sets and blankets.
{2} What is your all time favorite item?
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| {the cutest personalized cell phone cases from Clairebella on Layla Grayce, $52} |
I would have to say our new product, the cell phone cases.
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| {Clairebella Cutting Boards - you may notice the one above from the April issue of Southern Living} |
{3} What is your best seller?
Also the cell phone cases. Our glass cutting boards are close behind.
{4} When you aren't working on the latest and greatest things for Clairebella, what can we find you doing?
A morning run on a nice day is heaven to me.
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| {We LOVE this Place Setting for our Littles} |
{5} What has been the biggest challenge having your own business?
Prioritizing your life can be a challenge. It is definitely a balancing act and when you are wearing so many hats, you have to be organized with your time. I am an artist, so organization is not my strongest point. I couldn't live without my iPhone calendar alerts!
{6} What tips do you have for other starting their biz?
Seek out someone in your industry, if possible, who can be a mentor. Always be open to learning new things. Just when you think you have all of the answers, something changes. Being open and flexible versus rigid in your business plan will help you to adjust quickly.
{7} What is up next for Clairebella?
We will have some exciting new product additions later this year, but that is hush-hush for now :). Suffice it to say, we would love to expand into broader product categories and see our patterns all over the house!
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| {Who doesn't love writing notes in style? Personalized Clipboards make perfect gifts too!} |
Enter the Clairebella giveaway below! You can use the $100 Clairebella gift certificate on Layla Grayce!
{THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND ANNOUNCED VIA TWITTER.}
Note: Please make sure you leave your email address after each comment so we can contact you if you win!
Giveaway: $100 Clairebella Gift Certificate! Head over to Layla Grayce and Clairebella and tell us what is on your shopping list! This comment is mandatory. You also MUST be a follower of cupcakeMAG and cupcakeMAG for Littles.
1. Follow cupcakeMAG on Twitter.
2. Follow Clairebella on Twitter.
3. Make sure you "Like" us on our Facebook page.
4. Make sure you "Like" Clairebella on Facebook.
5. Subscribe to our updates (top right corner above) - just sign up with your email!
6. Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag -- you must tweet, not just follow.
7. Tweet about this giveaway and include @clairebellainc -- you must tweet, not just follow.
8. Write a blog post about this giveaway on your blog and send us the link.
We will select a winner via random.org on Monday, May 2nd at 11pm! Please make sure you enter the mandatory comment first before doing the extra entries.
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