Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicola Scuderi.
Hi Nicola, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Last year, at the height of the pandemic, I saw an urgent need for mask chains as school was around the corner and I was concerned with how my kids (who lose everything) were going to return to the classroom without losing their mask. I wanted to “make masking fun” for kids and adults. I made a few styles for my kids and their friends, they LOVED them and wanted more. My friends encouraged me to start selling them and word quickly spread; within a few days we had over 30 orders. During this time, my husband and I were planning to make a donation to the Winnie Palmer NICU, a place very close to our families heart. My daughter, Mila, was born a healthy full-term baby, but within 24 hours, she was in critical condition which prompted an emergency double volume exchange transfusion and we were prepped for various outcomes and a long haul stay. She surprised doctors and nurses with her recovery and graduated seven days later.
Today she’s 2.5 years old, full of life and a lot of spunk. During the height of the pandemic, I couldn’t shake the thought of the families having the stress of a newborn in the NICU, in addition to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic to add to their heightened emotions. I wanted to find a way to help and say thank you to her incredible NICU team who show up everyday for babies who need critical care and so Buddy Beads was born. At the time, we only made mask chains, with 100% of the profits from the month of August to be donated to WP NICU. We set a goal of and exceeded it by 3x. As the holidays neared the line quickly grew and we added bracelets, necklaces, earrings and bead kits.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’m a mom of three busy kids ages 2, 5 & 7 so the struggle of balancing a small business and keeping up with their everyday lives often creates its challenges. What I have found helps me is to set small realistic goals for my business. For example, creating a new line every month, doing at least one pop-up a month, and completing my website by the end of October to enable my clients to easily shop for the perfect gifts while having the ability to create custom and personalized pieces.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I was born and raised in New York and have been obsessed with accessories my entire life.
Before moving to Orlando, I worked for 15 years in the fashion industry, specializing in handbags and traveling the world to bring to market lines for Levi’s, Jennifer Lopez, Macy’s, Target among others…
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
What sets me apart is my ability to see beyond today’s trends and lead brands and design toward what’s next. It’s been a quality that has provided me with remarkable opportunity, as the most successful brands want people working for them who are disruptive with innovation understanding the importance of leading industry as opposed to following it.
Pricing:
- $18-$40 Mask Chains
- $10-$25 Kids Bracelets/Necklaces
- $15-$65 Bracelets
- $48-$200 Necklaces
Contact Info:
- Email: infor@buddybeadsboutique.com
- Website: buddybeadsboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddybeadsboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buddybeadsboutique
