Today we’d like to introduce you to Desanka Fasiska.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Desanka. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a fashion designer for about 13 years and about halfway through I started to get burned out. I took up ceramics as a hobby because it was a creative outlet that was about as opposite as you could get from fashion – and I loved it!
As I was transitioning out of the fashion world, I could not figure out what I was going to do with myself. Everyone kept telling me that I needed to start a ceramics business but I DID NOT want to be a manufacturer again and have to deal with the game of sales reps and trade shows and selling to stores that dick you around and quality control and all of the craziness that made me end up hating the fashion career I had once loved.
So even though I really love ceramics and knew the things I was making would sell, I avoided it for years while I endeavored to create a new business that would keep me creative. I pivoted a few times all the while continuing to keep ceramics as a little side hustle until the demand for the ceramics just kept growing and I realized I had to accept that I was going to have to be a “manufacturer” again. Fortunately, the home decor world is very different from fashion and there is so much less pressure.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been bumpy for sure! First of all, I didn’t study ceramics in school so there has been a huge learning curve in the techniques I have wanted to use and the manufacturing processes. I have made so many mistakes along the way and have felt like a total fraud half the time! Also, just trying to navigate this new world of business.
Realizing that the wholesale model was not what I wanted to pursue and having to educate myself on the B2C model, marketing and everything that goes into running a self-funded one-woman show had been nuts. Not to mention I got pregnant (SURPRISE!) 3 months into starting this business. It’s almost comical how challenging it’s been. But somehow it just keeps growing!
Lux Eros – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I make slab hand-built ceramic home decor and dinnerware. It’s funny because even though I wanted to get away from fashion my ceramics are inspired by fashion. The colors, motifs and merchandising of my line is all based on trending colors fashion styling. I use pyramid studs, lock and bits inspired by Hermes.
My signature “Kiss” Collection featuring a hand-carved lip motif just comes from a doodle I have always done but It’s such an iconic motif used in fashion, art and music. What sets my ceramics apart from others is that they still have that utilitarian, approachable and handmade feel but are elevated and stylish – and kind of fun and irreverent.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Honestly, I wish I could just be satisfied with a sweet little home-based ceramics business but I’m way too ambitious and obsessed with business and marketing. I want to take my little self-made business all the way to the top… and I’m working at it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lux-eros.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @lux_eros
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LUXEROS
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/LUXEROS/
Image Credit:
Ryan Mosse
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