Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Ellis Porter. Ellis’ name is just one of those that has branding potential along with her products. Just as a sophomore she has developed a jewelry line that can be spotted all over campus alongside other big-name brands.
Name: Ellis Porter
Age: 20
Year: Sophomore
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Relationship Status: Taken
Photo By: Annie Grafe
Her Campus (HC): How would you describe your style?
Ellis Porter (EP): I would describe it as very casual, but I like to be on trend. Very simple. I like to be comfy, but still cute, so typically I wear a casual look with a necklace or some fun jewelry.
HC: How did you start making jewelry?
EP: So, when I went through recruitment I was really excited! I had all my outfits picked out, and my sister helped me. I just didn’t have any jewelry to go with it. I was really into the wire wrapped bracelets, but I couldn’t afford enough to go with all the outfits. My dad took a look at them and said, “This is so simple;” he showed me with wire from our garage. I still have the first one we made together. It’s awful, but I kept practicing and trying new things, and they kept getting better and better!
HC: So you started with the bracelets, but your necklaces are really popular as well. How’d you start doing those?
EP: Well, I started in Spring 2014. My mom told me how New York has great connections with garments and beads. We go twice a year and stay in the middle of the garment district. I go to every bead store. When I was more comfortable with beads, I just started trying to make necklaces!
HC: Where do you get your inspiration?
EP: I order beads without knowing what I’m going to do with them, but I also try to make things that are on trend; like chokers are very in right now, so I did my own take on them.
Ellis pointed out some of her beads that had been taking up space, but now were used in a beautiful collection of necklaces.
HC: Where do you see your jewelry line going?
EP: I definitely have been seeing people in different sororities in my necklaces, so my brand is getting out there. I’m hoping that next year I’ll be doing more trunk shows for different houses. I also want to do more charities, like Dance Marathon and Relay for life. I’d love to give back and expand from just sororities. Maybe even boutiques one day.
HC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
EP: Some people think that I should continue to design. My friends made me change the name to Ellis Porter Designs because they think I have a name like Tory Burch- I disagree. I don’t think this came from what I really want to do. I do like being creative though. I would love to do Marketing or some type of brand management for a big company. I like to create things that are eye-catching.
HC: Has your major and interest in Marketing helped you with your business?
EP: Definitely! From the classes I’ve taken, I’m learning how to catch people’s eye, especially with social media. I had no idea what I was doing. I also read things online like, “How to Build Your Business 101”, which gave me the idea for packaging my crochet necklaces.
HC: What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur?
EP: I would say, “Don’t ever stop believing in yourself.” Sometimes I’ve gotten discouraged when people say things like, “I don’t like that”, but my family has always been really supportive, as well as my sisters and the Panhellenic community. I honestly wouldn’t be here without them. I’ve done a few Market Wednesdays, but it’s really encouraging when my sisters support me. I love getting tagged on Instagram! Its getting bigger and bigger. I’m nervous, but I’m really excited.
HC: So as soon as we’re done here, I have to get one of your necklaces. How can other people buy your pieces?
EP: Mostly people slide into my Facebook and Instagram DMs. I can do custom pieces too. The biggest custom things I’ve done are the coin wire bracelets. Sometimes people bring them back from their study abroad trips. I can drill holes in them and turn them into cool souvenirs!
Photo By: Annie Grafe
Follow Ellis on Instagram @EllisPorterDesigns to see her newest jewelry and find her next trunk show.