Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Ellzey.
Courtney, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was going through a divorce with a ten-month-old little girl and a 16-year-old son. I told myself that it was precisely the time to put every ounce of my creative being into building something that was larger than myself. It was time to set an example for my children that out of tragedy, something magnificent and positive can come from it.
In the beginning stages of VANNER, I was importing from Ecuador… until my manufacturer stole my money and did not deliver hats.
I had always planned to begin the process of having my hats made in the US, so this just forced my hand a little sooner than expected.
Best thing that could have ever happened to me. Little by little I maintained consistency in my strategy for building VANNER because my children come first, I have really only been able to work three days a week because the other days my daughter is with me, and it is all about her.
The interpersonal relationships that I have built with my vendors, customers and people on social media are of the utmost importance to me. From the beginning I made it abundantly clear that VANNER does not just stand for its product… it is about giving back in any way it can. The hats are simply a conduit to making others feel significant and alive and sharing their stories.
The collaborations that I have been blessed to share in have EVERYthing to do with the success of VANNER.
To me, coming together with like-minded individuals to create and share in something only raises the vibration for myself and the world, as a whole.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
hahaha If someone would have told me all of the things that would happen when embarking upon entrepreneurial endeavors, I would have prepared myself a little bit more.
The truth is, I am bent to embark upon running toward risk and the unknown.
I thrive in this sort of chaos.
Look it straight in the eye and troubleshoot.
Certainly, don’t even think about telling me I CAN’T accomplish something.
That is merely an invitation to prove you wrong.
SMOOTH is not a word I would ever use to describe the journey of entrepreneurship.
Start-up capital.
Customer and vendor service.
Ego.
Uncertainty of others’ actions.
Unknown expenses.
These are just a few of a myriad of issues that arise along the way to building a strong business.
But probably the most challenging for me is that of a balance of life.
Making sure that my children do not feel secondary to my work, and then self care for whatever free time that I may have.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I design and manufacture hats.
I design and manufacture other products such as surfboards and aprons.
And do plan for VANNER to a lifestyle company.
I am a stylist, art director, designer, artist and photographer.
First and foremost, a humanitarian.
I am most proud of the relationships that I develop with others .. across the board.
I love that people have FELT the love that I want them to feel regarding all things VANNER.
What sets me apart? My desire to root for everyone. Whether it be for individuals in life.
Of for other milliners to excel in their own company.
I believe that people know this to be my truth.
I root for others.
There is room enough in this world for all to succeed and give back to the world in their own special way.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood.
Growing up in the Panhandle of Texas in a town of 7000 in the 70s and 80s, there was a simplicity to life, which allowed so much room for imagination, dreaming and creativity.
You are forced to appreciate the simplest of things, and almost anything and everything that you get to experience from that point on in life is like one big adventure.
It allows for that sense of wonder to never leave.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vannerhats.com
- Phone: 619-370-0940
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vannerhats/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vannerhats/?modal=composer&eid=ARDa2qTU2iCNxmeMRbMwRJBJAjIYvic1ARAganziUtplwKk2dyk_UTsi3Dm78py6Q-jx16FITrVG7F5_&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=100000241737154&fref=tag
Image Credit:
All images by me, courtney ellzey, except for the image of me, in a white gown, standing next to the horse .. her name is Jacqueline Tierney (jacquelyntierney.com) INSTA @jacquelyntierney
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