Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Cox
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a professional sewing specialist for the last 19 years, working primarily in live entertainment costuming (theme parks and cruise lines). As a child, I wanted to be a cinematic costume designer, but after doing three indy films in my early 20s, I realized I enjoyed sewing the costumes more than anything, and didn’t care to continue in the film industry as a designer. There are many local opportunities for costuming, but I also have a love for weddings/brides, and have made /altered gowns on the side out of my home.
I got pregnant with my first child in 2018, and my husband suggested I move from time-consuming gown-making to something simpler that I could sell online so I wouldn’t feel pressured with in-home client scheduling. I opened an Etsy shop and started selling custom veils.
By 2020, I was a costuming manager at a major entertainment company, and was also having great success selling online. After covid lockdowns stole my corporate opportunities, I chose to pursue Etsy full time and left that company in June 2021. My online business immediately exploded (figuratively speaking), and I’ve been growing it ever since.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggle for me has been marketing my services online. When making gowns, all my clients came to me by word-of-mouth, and there was always someone at my church getting married, so the workflow was effortless on my part. It’s very different with e-commerce and I’m still learning how to put my services out there without appearing desparate for buyers. I’ve had to build my portfolio all over again and rely on the reviews of strangers to bring in more work. It’s a struggle to just be seen online, let alone be the one chosen by the buyer. The market always feels highly saturated with similar products/services and the competition in fierce. Being consistent and trusting the process is what makes me the most anxious.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider speed to be my greatest strength when it comes to sewing (anything). At all my professional jobs, I was always known for completing the work quickly and was often the person chosen for last minute emergencies. In live entertainment costuming, there were two types of costumes: character and atmosphere. Both were made in multiples, as there would be many of the same show or parade performed each day of the week. For example, I would receive 10 of the exact same garment to sew on Monday, and another 10 of the exact same garment in a different size a few days later.
There is a type of “production line” sewing that I followed that allows all the garments to be completed quickly, and at the same time. I “grew up” in the industry sewing in this production style, which I was able to also use when making individual gowns and veils. I believe that’s the reason why my turn times on Etsy are shorter than my competition, and why my business was able to grow so quickly. People are so used to getting their Prime orders in 2 days and I wanted to deliver similar results. It was only until recently that my turn times were extened, because now I have two children at home 😉
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I’ve never wanted to be known for my money, but I do want to be remembered for my heart: being kind, being generous, being inclusive. If that is how I’m remembered, and why people buy from me, than I have succeeded. I want to put good into the world in the form of skilled workmanship, professional attitude, and personal attention.
I also believe that money divides many relationships, and so I put great emphasis on working within the brides’ budget, rather than setting a firm price tag. Granted, I am also honest with the cost of doing business and will let the client know if their budget is not workable, but I never suggest anything that their budget can not afford.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lavoilerose.etsy.com
- Instagram: @lavoilerose
- Other: Lavoileroseinfo@aol.com
