Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzi Moran.
Hi Suzi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m a tried and true “Disnerd,” meaning that I’m an adult who is completely addicted to all things Disney. Combine my Disnerdiness with my life-long love of the Buffalo Bills, and you have the beginning of the Mousterpiece Ears story. Back in November of last year, when it looked as though the Bills might actually be headed to the Superbowl and I was heading to Walt Disney World, I decided to make myself a pair of Mickey ears dedicated to the Bills. I go to Disneyworld a lot. Like 10 times a year. And when I go, I always wear my Bills jersey at least once, so making a pair of Buffalo Bill’s ears seemed like a natural progression to amping up my Disney wardrobe. So, I made my ears, and they were awesome… so awesome, in fact, that I decided to post a picture of them on a BIlls fan page I belong to on Facebook. Within 15 minutes of posting the picture, I had numerous people messaging me, asking where I got them. When I told them I had made them, every one of them asked if I would sell them….and so I did. Within two weeks, I had made and shipped out over 5o pairs of Bills ears to points all over the country. My little tribute to the Bills turned out to be more successful than Buffalo’s bid for the Superbowl. Soon, I had requests for other custom ears, and I made them. And then I had more requests, and I made those, too, and before I knew it, I was running a full-fledged small business. Here’s the thing…over the years, the quality of genuine Disney mouse ears has declined (in my opinion), and the price has increased significantly from the first pair I bought years ago (almost triple!). I decided that the ears I made had to be masterpieces of craftsmanship. They had to combine outstanding materials with attention to detail… masterpieces. And with that thought in mind, I suddenly had a name for my company: Mousterpiece Ears. To date, I’ve made hundreds of ears…all custom, all one-of-a-kind, and each unique to the request of the customer. I use custom mixed glitter and genuine Swarovski crystals, and I hand weave the headbands using imported French ribbons and woven grosgrain and satin ribbons that are made in the USA. I take great pride in the products I create, and I truly love what I do. Now, whenever I go to Disney (did I mention that I go a lot?), I post hints on my Instagram page so people can track me down, and the first person to find me receives a free pair of ears in exchange for a product review on my social media. I’m working on a website, but like my mouse ears, it has to be perfect. For now, my online presence is limited to Facebook and Instagram. Since I’m a one-woman operation, I’ve opted not to use Etsy; I don’t want to sacrifice quality for quantity, and so I choose to stick to what I do best: create Mousterpieces.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Taking a hobby and turning it into a business overnight is risky at best (and a little nuts, too). As a one-person operation and a people-pleaser, I find it difficult to say “no” to incoming custom orders; hence, I’m often overwhelmed with work. Making ears the way I make them is quite labor intensive, and I make each pair of ears myself, one pair at a time. I have no help (nor do I want any) because I’m just enough of a control freak to render me unable to relinquish any part of the production to anyone else. Michelangelo didn’t ask for help, and neither will I. And so, I’ve made the road to my small success bumpy because I’ve chosen that road, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For 27 years, I worked in ophthalmology (specifically a retina practice) and loved every minute of it… until I didn’t. Being entrusted with someone’s visual outcome is a huge responsibility, and as rewarding and humbling as it is, it’s also incredibly intense. I worked for a surgeon who taught me the importance of patience and empathy and he helped me to become a better human through his example. I’m proud of the work I did and the people I was able to offer assistance to, but today, I’m equally proud of the niche I’ve carved out for myself that is truly the polar opposite of my “big girl” job.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Kindness goes a long way, and it’s free.
Pricing:
- Ears start at $40 per pair. The addition of Swarovski crystals increases the price.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Mousterpieceears
- Facebook: Mousterpiece Ears
