This month I had to pleasure of talking with Edina Racz of White Lotus Design. Edina has managed to do what many people out there only dream about – she’s turned something she’s very passionate about (in this case, jewelry) and turned that passion into a succesful business.
PE: Tell us a little about White Lotus Design
Edina: WhiteLotus Design was launched 3 years ago. I design and fabricate Contemporary Wire -woven gemstone necklaces and cuffs and I wholesale my creations to Specialty Boutiques and galleries all over Canada.
PE: What got you started making jewelry?
Edina: After graduating with a Bachelor of Design I immediately landed a job in a corporate in-house studio. At times I felt restricted in my creativity and the long hours and stress were beginning to take their toll so I needed a creative outlet that would allow me to tune out the daily grind. I needed to create beautiful pieces that were conceptually interesting to me and jewelry was the perfect medium because it is where art and fashion connect. One thing led to another and I launched my jewelry business and quit my day job…I have been creating ever since.
PE: What made you decide that you wanted to go out on your own and create your own business?
Edina: I feel that I was born to be an entrepreneur. I’m a strong believer that if you really want to do something you love, you figure out a way to do it and you learn along the way. After being in that corporate environment for 6 years, I realized that I never ever wanted to have a boss, and that I wanted to be my own boss! By seeing what I did not want to do, I figured out what I did want to do, if that makes sense. I love that I get to express my creativity and share it with others. I love that every day is different and at the end of the day I feel that I accomplished something and made a difference.
PE: What’s the hardest part about running your own business?
Edina: Running a business is hard and unfortunately being creative and business savvy do not always go hand in hand. Work is never over. Plus my office is in my home so work never really leaves. It is a constant balancing act to juggle everything in my life yet still get the results I want.
PE: If you could give one piece of advice to other would be entrepreneurs out there, what would it be?
Edina: Learn as much as you can from other successful people who are doing what you want to do. Trust your instincts and stand by what you believe in. Treat your customers with respect and always make them your #1 priority.
(Oh and the cliché) -don’t sweat the small stuff.
PE: I think that all entrepreneur have a “Eureka” moment, a moment in time when all their ideas just come together. Could you tell us about your Eureka moment?
Edina: I experienced many Eureka moments as my ideas developed overtime as opposed to happening all at once. I had faith in where I wanted to be and the right opportunities presented themselves thereby enforcing my dreams!
PE: How important is networking to your business?
Edina: I love talking to other designers and creative minded people (my tribe), making connections and developing our circle –it is priceless! I also love meeting customers face to face at shows but I find that the pieces from my collection really speak for me by “word of mouth” when I am not around.
PE: If you could change one thing about the way in which you started your business what would it be?
Edina: I would be more organized with my administrative chores.
PE: When you’re not busy running White Lotus Design, what do you like to do with your time?
Edina: Spending time with my furry kids, boyfriend, travelling, painting and watching great indie flicks.
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