Last week, I was scrolling down Facebook and saw this really cool post. One of my friends started customizing canvas shoes with her personal designs. They were so dope, I instantly fell in LOVE! My first thought was I had to feature her on my blog! Not only is she a college student, she's turning something she has a passion for into a small business! You know I love to recognize students doing their own thing and doing something about this "broke college student" lifestyle. Check out this feature on Ashley Hooper:
My name is Ashley Hooper. I am 23 years old, an indecisive college student, and trying to find my place in life. I love art, having fun, and making things my own. I am an independent person and want to be my own boss some day. Hopefully with my new-found business "Fancy Struck", I can make that happen sooner than later.
1. Love your designs! What made you want to start customizing canvases for other people?
I have always had a love for art and being unique. I have a pretty eclectic style and I don’t follow trends very often. With that being said, my whole motive in customizing canvas shoes was to satisfy my own personal want. I was, and still am, tired of going into a store and not finding something that struck my fancy. I would look at a pair of shoes, a shirt, a jacket, or a pair of pants and think something is missing. For the past year I have customized canvases as birthday presents and such, never really thinking about doing it as a job or taking orders from customers. Recently I decided I would do some research and see if there were any other people out there customizing these canvas shoes…let me tell you there are plenty. All of the customized shoes that I have seen are WAY overpriced. When I saw the prices that is when I decided to post a few pictures on Facebook and share customizations with the public. My main reason for customizing canvases is to share my love for art, and help others make their shoes, or whatever it may be, more personal at a more affordable price.
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2. How has the response been? Do you get a lot of orders?
Well, this is the first time I have really put my work out there for others to see. Just from posting the few pictures on my personal Facebook page I have gotten 4 orders for customizations and they are from a few close friends. Hopefully after doing this interview with you, I will have a lot more to do. :)
My contact information is:
Email: fancystruckonline@gmail.com
Facebook: Fancy Struck
My prices are $25 for all customizations plus shipping. I have silver and gold studs available for use on shoes. Like my page on Facebook to get updates and special offers!
3. I love to feature young entrepreneurs on my blog. Would you consider yourself an entrepreneur?
I would consider myself a being entrepreneur. With hard work and motivation, I will hopefully become a successful entrepreneur. What is better than doing what you love to do, and making money while doing it? A wise man once told me “If you wake up every day and get to do what you truly love doing, you will never work a day in your life”, and I whole-heartedly believe that. I have had many jobs as a college student and none have satisfied that feeling inside of me. Hopefully I will find that feeling by customizing these canvases for others.
4. Broke2Dope.com offers tips and advice to broke college students, do you have any advice you'd like to share?
I think the definition of a college student should include the word “broke” in it. HaHa!! The advice I would like to share is to spend your money wisely, and figure out what is most important to you. Since we are talking fashion here, I think college students focus on name brand items and expensive trends to look the part. You don’t have to pay a lot of money to look good. For example, what is the need in going out and buying a pricy oversized shirt with some embellishments when you could go to a thrift store and find a gently used shirt for a dollar or two, then bedazzle the shit out of it. You can create the same look for $5-$10. While you are in college you should focus on broadening your knowledge and skills to help create a successful future for yourself. Worry less about how much the girl sitting beside you spent on her shirt, and the fact that you may not be cool enough because you might not have spent the same on yours. Save money where you can, that way when you are in a bind and need help you won’t regret spending 50 or more dollars on that cute little tank top from that expensive boutique. That is why I am here to customize canvases, so people don’t have to worry about spending tons of money on a pair of shoes that they are not in love with because it is missing that “something”. If my customers are anything like me, they know what they want and will not settle for anything less than spectacular. Save, save, save, save, and did I mention save?
5. How can readers get their canvases personalized by you?
There are a couple of ways that readers can get their canvases customized by me. Since all of this is so new to me, I am in the process of creating a Facebook page and a website of my own. So there is one place they can go. I also have an email address set up just for customers, so they can email me there. The best way is going to be contacting me through Facebook, and email for now. I will be doing specials and offer more than shoes eventually so readers will have to stay tuned for the wonderful things to come.
