Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Page.
Alison, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was a D-1 collegiate athlete in college. Shortly after graduation, I got married and right after we found out we had a baby on the way. Like most collegiate athletes I had to figure out what I was going to do with my life once sports were over. Some love to stay in their sport and coach/mentor. Me? I wanted to see what else I was good at. I decided I wanted to stay home with my new baby and see what I could do from home. I started refinishing furniture for people. This business grew, and as I added to my family, I started to get “bored” of just painting. I was pregnant with my third baby when I decided to hang up painting. Turns out, I was actually pregnant with babies three AND four, and I was exhausted. Unfortunately, like so many mamas, I lost one of my twins. She was so loved already but were still being blessed with one baby, so we stayed positive for her. I decided to rebrand my business to being interior decorating, and so Lilly Design Co. was born. This way – she was always remembered and honored.
My third baby was born, and my design company took off. We custom build huge clocks, and I do anything from home staging to full remodels! Around this same time, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer for the 4th time. As he faced ANOTHER battle, I wanted to do something that would help give back to other families that are going through the same struggle. I created Birdie & Pete, an online athleisure wear line geared towards the everyday mom. We have beautiful prints and designs that I create. The best part, is every year, at the end of the year, we donate to a family (this year we are donating to TWO) who are actively battling this horrible disease. It’s a way to give back to families, and the money they get is used however they choose!
I am constantly growing my brands and businesses, so I started my personal Instagram to grow those businesses. After a while, people were asking to send ME things to try out. I was starting my 3rd business as a social media influencer. It has been such a fun and wild ride, and I am looking forward to what the future holds for me. I am so honored when companies choose me to represent their brand. I know how hard it is to get your name out there and I love helping others.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been a good amount of challenges along the way. As with anyone with three young children, figuring out the balancing act between, husband, kids, housework, social media, websites, updating everything, adding new inventory, seeing clients, doing designs for clients, building items that a client needs – it can be very overwhelming. Not to mention, as a small business owner it’s very hard to get your name out there. People know the big brands and famous faces – but starting a company from scratch is difficult. There has been a lot of money dumped into all the businesses and a lot of late nights working after the kids are in bed. You get judged on your social media posts, and people make negative comments. But I always think, no press is bad press. If you are doing something and people are talking – you are doing your job. It’s when they stop talking you have to worry.
My advice to anyone starting their own company it would be stay with it. If you are doing something you are truly passionate about you will eventually succeed. It’s hard. It’s exhausting. It’s not for everyone. I gave up a 40 hour work week to work 96 hours a week. However, it is what I absolutely love to do. So don’t stop because it’s hard, the hard is what makes it worth it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Birdie and Pete, Lilly Design Co. story. Tell us more about the business.
I love what I do. Everything I do has become a passion. With Lilly Design Co. I have fallen in love with helping clients achieve their dream home. Helping with designs, paint colors, color schemes and everything in between while staying in their budget is so fun! As for Birdie and Pete, designing clothing that (mostly) women will love. Something they will feel good in and look good in. I try to make sure that everybody type is included when I think of designs. Right now, I’m really into the floral and stripe patterns. They are fun and feminine. Who says when your lifting tons of weight you can’t look beautiful? I have designs for everyone, and they are super flattering on. I think the thing I am most proud of, in my businesses, is the giving back aspect. It Is one of the most rewarding things to give back to families that going through a stressful time in their life. Cancer doesn’t just affect the patient. It affects every single person who knows that patient. I love that Birdie and Pete is known for giving back and helping others. Every time someone orders ANY article of clothing – we donate proceeds to the families. Last year, we through a huge fundraiser type party in November as a big “push” to make more for the family we had chosen. It is a fun way to get your friends together, have some drinks, win some free prizes and also give back to someone who may need it!
I think what sets us apart from others is the aspect of us giving back. It is hard to find a big company that is willing to give back with every single purchase. There are so many people that are facing cancer – there are plenty to help. Our customer service is amazing as well. I know things happen from time to time with our clothing (as with all clothing), but the company we work with is extremely fast about fixing an issue if there ever is one. We love our customers and love to randomly give away free items too!
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
The women that have inspired me in my life are the everyday woman. The moms working full time and then coming home to make dinner for her kids. The single moms who literally do it all and never miss a beat or complain. The working women, who have climbed the corporate ladder and have made a name for their selves all on their own. The women in the military who are literally superwomen saving the world. The women that have paved the way for people like me, to be whoever I want to be, say what I want to say, and feel how I want to feel. The women that every single day, wake up, and work their butts off to make a better tomorrow for their kids, my kids and everyone around them. Those are the women that I admire. Every single woman you meet has an amazing story to tell, and you can learn something from all of them.
Pricing:
- $100 per hour for design work
- Leggings start at $60
- Clocks start at: $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.birdieandpete.com, www.lillydesignco.com, www.thealisonpage.com
- Email: Alison@thealisonpage.com
- Instagram: @thealisonpage, @lillydesignco, @birdieandpete
Image Credit:
Andrew Page – five multimedia
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