Featured Handmade Shop: Mila Rose Designs

Our featured Shop is Mila Rose Designs.  Melissa is the owner/designer of these pretty and fabulous hair ornaments. She also blogs here. Please read my interview with Melis to find out how she started business, the challenges she faced, plus a few personal messages for fellow entrepreneurs, customers, and friends.  (This interview first appeared here)

What’s the inspiration behind your shop’s name?

When thinking of a shop name I wanted to make sure it that it sounded pretty and also wasn’t something completely random. Mila is the first initials of myself and my siblings (Melissa, Ian, Laura, Austin), and then I picked rose because a lot of my designs are inspired by flowers…plus it sounded lovely together:)

How old is your shop?

The shop opened in Dec ’09, so a little over a year now.

What inspired you to start your own home business?

I think I’ve always known that I wanted my own business, but I just wasn’t sure what I wanted it to be. Before I started on etsy I was a buyer for shoe/accessory boutique. I would always see accessories at the trade shows I would go to, but never saw any hair accessories that really caught my eye. Then I ended up making a headband for myself to wear for a friends wedding.

All the headbands I liked were $200 and I thought why don’t I try and make something myself. Everyone loved it and I started making bands for friends and to give as gifts. The feedback I would get from people was great, so I started selling my bands at the shoe boutique. Everyone kept telling me to sell on etsy, and I kept putting it off until the boutique ended up closing. That gave me the little push I needed to start getting more serious about the possibility that this could be something more. Now my little hobby is turning into a real business, and I think that’s amazing.

Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in your craft?

Well I pretty much live surrounded by fabrics, ribbons, and sparkly things:) Lately I’ve been creating in steps…one day I’ll cut all the shapes I need to make flowers, the next day I’ll singed the edges and put together the flowers, and then the next attach to the bands and finish. Then there are times where I visualize what I think I want to make and it ends up a totally different way by mistake. Those are usually the times that I get the best results…which I love!

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far?

I think pricing has been the trickiest challenge so far. When you purchase something that is homemade it’s totally different that buying something that is mass produced. Everything that I make I put all of my love and energy into.

I not only want my products to look amazing, but be an amazing quality as well and sometimes that can cause prices to be a little higher than if you were to buy an accessory from somewhere else. I’m always afraid that my prices may either be too high or sometimes not high enough so I tend to always second guess myself.

How did you get over it?

This is something that I think will be a constant learning process. I think the best thing I’ve done for pricing right now is to just have a good price range. If you only have a small budget or have the freedom to purchase whatever your heart desires, you’ll be able to find a mila rose that’s right for you:)

Please Name:
the things you do when you’re not busy in your shop. . .
I love to bake (especially cupcakes), color hair, watch bravo (I’m kinda addicted), shop for shoes, and spend time with my boyfriend and my family.

stuff inside your bag you can’t leave home without. . .
A headband (of course), lipgloss, my phone, a little notepad (you never know when a great idea might pop in your head), my camera, and something sweet (I love sugar lol)

your favorite shops. . .
My fave etsy shops right now are:
The Caramel Jar …the most amazing caramels ever…again, I really love sugar;)
Nice …lots of fun vintage pieces as well as handmade goodies
La Marquise des Anges …sooo cute french chic fun

your top 3 favorite picks from your shop. . .

the dita …. give me over-the-top any day! I love how this is a total statement piece, yet is still classic with it’s black and white pattern print.

the harper …I’m a big fan of mustard yellow lately and I love that you can wear this hat all year round. Also the flower is detachable so you can keep it on the hat, or pin to a scarf or bag.

 the caden…… textured leather flower is so pretty and is a perfect neutral color so it will go with everything.

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you?

Don’t be afraid to take chances and make mistakes. I think sometimes when you’re starting something new it’s so easy to hold yourself back because you’re afraid of the unknown. If you really love what you’re doing and are passionate about it then you should share it with the world. I think if you believe in yourself and stay true to who you are then everything will fall into place.

Any message to your customers and the people who support you?

I love you!!! My friends, family, and fans are the best people in the world. I am constantly amazed at how lucky I am to have such positive people coming into my life. Thank you sooooo very much for your love and support and for spreading the pretty;)

~*~*~*~

Thanks so much Melissa!