This week’s celeb is not only a full time student at Appalachian, but also the owner of ASU Like It Monorgramming and Sorority Wear, providing custom monogramming and Greek lettering on a variety of products. Read all about how this talented collegiette balances school and work “seam-lessly”!
Name: Lanie Crawford
Major: Apparel Design and Merchandising
Minor: Marketing and Economics
Year: Junior
Hometown: Vanceboro, NC
Q: What inspired you to undertake this business?A: It honestly just happened. I was monogramming for a few friends who told their friends, who told their friends, and before I knew it I needed a site to manage orders.
Q: How can people purchase?A: We take orders by email and on our website, www.asulikeitmonogramming.com.
Q: What’s the price range?A: $10-$40.
Q: How can people find you online/on social media?A: We have Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, all of which are ASU Like It Monogramming. We also have a website, www.asulikeitmonogramming.com.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?A: I love working for myself. I set my own hours and don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.
Q: What is the worst/most challenging part or thing about starting a business?A: Time management! Sometimes you have to pass up going out to stay home and work on spreadsheets or orders.
Q: How has it been balancing a job with school work?A: Stressful but worth it. It’s a nice break from school but there are times I just want to sleep after a long night at the library and have to force myself to monogram.
Q: Tell me how your business has grown from day 1:A: We started with just a Facebook and took orders from there. When we outgrew that we got a website and we now have Instagram and twitter. Our products have expanded a lot from the original tee shirts also. It’s been fun to watch it expand.
Q: What are some of your long term and short term goals?A: Short term, I hope to keep ASU Like It going throughout my college career. I hope to expand into jewelry and possible clothing. My long term dream is to own my own boutique, so this is a great jumping off point.
Q: What has the response to your business been like?A: Great! Appalachian has lots of people that love monograms and letters so they have definitely been receptive.
Q: What advice would you give other students interested in starting up a business?A: Know your market and be prepared for sleepless nights and hard work. It doesn’t happen overnight.
Q: What are your goals after graduation?A: After graduation I want to move to a larger city and open my own high-end women’s boutique.