Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa Moreno.
Hi Luisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sure! It all started when I wanted a pair of triangle hoops and I could not find them anywhere so I looked on YouTube, which is my Google, figured out how to make them and a friend suggested Etsy to sell them. I created a store in 2016 but never opened it because I was scared, I had never been in sales and much less with my own product, so there were a lot of fears; that people wouldn’t like it, that I would not be able to fulfill my orders, and such.
After a New Year’s resolution in 2017, I opened my store and, of course, most of my first customers were friends and family but after a couple of days I got my first “unknown” sale and got a great review. I could not believe it, that kind of affirmation made things a lot easier.
In the beginning, I created Lulupo as a creative outlet and a hobby, but as time goes by and I have developed my craft, understood a little more about Etsy, brand development, social media content, and such, I decided to start turning my hobby into a small business. Lulupo has been an amazing opportunity to develop myself and the business and still have the ability to be home with the kids.
It has required a lot, A LOT, of time and learning. I am a HUGE fan of platforms like Domestika, CreativeLive, and Skillshare where you buy courses from people in whatever field you choose. There are many different hats that a small owner wears at the beginning. I have been a designer, maker, photographer, marketing specialist, social media strategist, accountant, CEO, and so on. All this growth and development have made me even more determined to grow Lulupo.
I am now doing markets and events which I absolutely LOVE doing. Seeing in person how people react to something you have made is absolutely amazing. I have had people come to my booth and tell me they purchased something a long time ago; they loved it, and wanted to come back for more pieces. It honestly makes me want to do this forever, and really markets are my favorite part of Lulupo, my least favorite is finances, lol
I am also getting into the wholesale aspect of the business and selling to boutiques in my area. Another one of those amazing moments is when you see something that started out as a passing idea in your mind the it is materialized and sitting on a shelf in an actual store, and when the feedback is, “they have been selling great, and people love it,” again, AMAZING!
If you would have asked me 5 years ago whether I would be a small business owner selling my products on websites, markets and that I would have products in stores I would have laughed so hard, but here we are. It has been a crazy ride with a lot of instruction in different fields, a lot of learning about yourself and how to work better and more efficiently. Right now, my youngest child is about to start kindergarten, this will leave a lot more time for me to dedicate to Lulupo and I am extremely excited about that. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For me, I feel like it has been “smooth” in the sense that, to me, Lulupo started as a hobby so there was not a lot of pressure at the beginning. After a while and I wanted it to be more of a long-term business endeavor, it was a matter of all the tasks that need to be done in order to grow and maintain it. There were a lot of things I had no idea about, and platforms like YouTube, Domestika and CreativeLive instantly became my go-to’s. I have taken over 50 courses on topics from Social Media Strategy, Photography, Jewelry Design, Time Management, and Productivity, Copywriting, Business Finances, Branding Identity and Strategy, and many more.
At some point, there is more to do in the back end of the business that takes up your time than the actual creative process aspect. And for a creative, this can be a hard thing to get used to. But then, as your business grows, you earn enough capital )ie. money to delegate some of these tasks that are not as appealing so you can spend more time doing those tasks you enjoy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create jewelry pieces for women who enjoy a minimalist modern design. My pieces are classic pieces with a modern twist, for example, geometric hoops and freshwater pearl accents. My most popular pieces and the ones that started Lulupo are my wire earrings which have a very modern minimalist design, are lightweight, and great for people with sensitive skin. All things that have been a huge identifier for my brand.
I am extremely proud of myself for being able to slowly but surely grow a hobby that was housed in a plastic container, to now a growing small business based in my home studio and with a community of people who genuinely like, appreciate, and support what I do.
Something unique about Lulupo is that it is still a personal, small brand that is highly connected to each one of the people who purchase. Each piece has been designed, created, and packaged by me. Something that I appreciate in other businesses that I personally shop from, and something that I strive to continue with Lulupo.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I was a very calm child who did not take a lot of risks, was a rule follower, and was always creative. I loved playing with my hair and nails making all kinds of crazy creations which my mom enjoyed a lot.
Contact Info:
- Email: lulupodesigns@gmail.com
- Website: lulupodesigns.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lulupodesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lulupodesigns
- Other: https://www.pinterest.ca/lulupodesigns
