Featured VentureMom Stephanie Lilley – The Lilley Line
What started as a gift is now a business that gives back started by Stephanie Lilley. “Many years ago, my dear friend Guadalupe Lopez gave me a present from her home-country of El Salvador. She wanted to share a piece of her culture that celebrates life with color and joy. Initially I was struck by the basket’s vibrancy and design, but it was not until a month later when I realized that it was a bag for everything.”
Stephanie used her bag for shopping, meetings, potlucks, school projects and sporting events. “The flat and sturdy bottom kept my casserole dishes from leaking and my produce protected.” She says she wasn’t the only one to notice the special qualities of this bag. Everywhere she went, from the grocery checkout to the hockey rink or dinner parties, everyone commented on her bag and wanted to know where she got it.
“These baskets seemed to have both an aesthetic and a purposeful appeal.” Stephanie had an idea. “We could support many women and their communities in El Salvador by introducing this useful and attractive product to North Americans.” Stephanie talked with Guadalupe who thought she was crazy, and she had to beg for years for Guadalupe to send the baskets so Stephanie could test the market in the states.
Once she was sure the bags would be a hit, Stephanie began by scooping up baskets in markets all over El Salvador, which brought a lot of joy to weavers, and she started to curate the best local artisans. “I realized how these bags truly represented the splendor of Central America and the warmth of the people. I made new friends and created new business relationships that set a foundation for The Lilley Line.” She has small groups of weavers in tiny mountain villages in El Salvador proudly weave the beautiful bags for her new line.
The Lilley Line, named after its founder, is known for its commitment to ethical sourcing and empowering the women who craft the bags in El Salvador. “This was a way for me to support the women weavers. We set out to create a product for the modern woman – a product that weaves chic style with ethical and global sustainability.” What started in Stephanie’s home state of Louisiana can now be found in retail shops all over the US. All these years later, Stephanie still has that first basket from Guadalupe, “It still hasn’t lost its strength or luster, and remains part of my everyday life.” When asked if she knew what she was doing when she launched the business, Stephnie said, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
VentureMom Tip
Don’t overthink the plan, just take action, even if you don’t have all the answers.
