She went from banking to the beach. Lisa Degen was an international banker who traveled the world. She left that career to stay at home with her kids and a few years ago stumbled into business with her cousin.  Lisa’s artistic cousin created maps of coastal locations and he needed a business partner to help build a successful venture.

“I fell in love with the maps the minute I saw them.” As a lover of the beach, the maps evoke for Lisa memories of growing up on the Jersey shore, vacationing in Florida and the tropics and living in Rye, New York on Long Island Sound with her husband and three sons.

The business partnership with her cousin broke up,  not un-common occurrence when partnering with family.  But Lisa wasn’t ready to give up on the maps so she founded her own business, Beach Maps Plus as a venue for distributing this beautiful wall art.

Lisa explains the concept of the maps. “You pick your location, color and size.  Clients can choose from over 200 locations in New England, New York, New Jersey, the Delmarva Peninsula, the South, and Florida.”  They also offer the tropics, cities, clubs and camps.

In the beginning reaching her target audience was key.  Lisa figured the best place to reach biggest group was at the Atlanta gift show. She rented a booth and made it stand out with large signage and the bright colors of the maps.  “I was there for five days and the maps were picked up by tons of stores.” This was validation of a great product.

Beach Maps Plus was now a reality for Lisa. To expand the line, maps were offered around events like weddings, birthdays and celebrations. “I got so many requests to create a special map around an event that took place at a particular location. We can add names and things that are relevant to the event to make a really unique gift or keepsake item. Monograms and dates are great additions to wedding and event maps.”

Lisa now travels the East coast and beyond attending boutiques, fairs and trunk shows, showcasing her beautiful maps. They come in large or small and are famed in white.  She’s also added lacquer trays and coasters to her collection. “They make great hostess or new home gifts.” A proof is sent out for each custom map for approval. “The feedback is so great. I’m created keepsake items that remind people of really special places and momentous events in their lives.”

Lisa’s three boys are now ages 16, 19 and 22. They sometimes help mom with the distribution and shows but it’s mostly her venture to manage.  Lisa’s own map collection includes her hometown, her club, the boys’ camp and where she honeymooned. She says she loves having her own business, “I never liked sales and always stayed away from it until I started selling the beach maps. If you love something it’s easier to sell.”

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