CEO of Shree Moni (in blue)Shari Gray & Models

You know I luv my shoes!I’m a huge BetseyJohnson fan but I see that a new shoe designer is giving my girl a run for her money! I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Ms. Shari Gray a few weeks back and she talked to me about her new shoe line, “Shree Moni”! Im so proud to see all these fab business women doing it! My daughter told me that she wanted to design shoes as well. She is always prancing around in my shoes lol.

Spring Summer Collection for Shree Moni

This Diva in stilletos, told me this collection was called,” Spring in Paris” I love Paris and want to visit real soon! Shari’s spring/summer collection is all the craze now and she had an unveiling in NY as well, that was a huge hit! You go girl! Her Shree Moni viewing was held at the beautiful and swanky W Hotel in the Whiskey Blue Lounge in Atlanta. Im excited to see what else is in store for her! Perhaps purses,belts?

To view or order these divvafied shoes visit: www.shereemoni.com  Thanks to Nicole Garner at the www.thegarnercircle for the media invite! Pics provided by Catherine Tolbert

TalkingWithTami: Hello what a cute idea! isABelt is a hit I see, tell us about your product?

isABelt was founded in May of 2007 by three 40+ sisters who are moms of 15 kids collectively. They started their business by consigning the isABelt locally and are now in more than 400 retailers across the US, Canada, Caribbean and Europe. 

The isABelt is a clear and virtually invisible fashion fix-it accessory product. The isABelt is made of a strong and durable elasticized TPU that virtually disappears when the wearer puts it on.  Because of the patent pending design and adjustment of the isABelt it lies discreetly under your clothes or even under a fashion belt to let you know that all is secure. The isABelt is perfectly flat all the way around. isABelt available in Sm. Med. Lrg. and Plus.

TalkingWithTami:Would you consider yourself inventors now? Do you plan on making any other cool products?

We are three sister/partners.  Leslie Wilkins-Gaudio, came up with the idea while shopping for some new low-rise jeans. As cute as the pants were, they would not stay up and the thong would not stay in. She found herself having to wear a belt even when she didn’t want to, or even when her outfit didn’t call for a belt. Leslie saw that her friends and women all over had the same problem: belt bulge or peep show. Leslie saw it as her responsibility to create a solution to this problem.  We are coming out with three expansions to our product line in March and another in May… Stay tuned….  

TalkingWithTami:When you decided to market your product, what target audience were you looking for?

We decided to market our product as soon as our stores that were carrying it started to reorder.  Our target audience is for all women no matter what age or size as this is a problem we all experience across the board. 

TalkingwithTami:Should have, could have hmmm? Tell us some things you wish you would have known in the beginning stages of isABelt?

We have experienced such success with the isABelt.  We wish we had a little more wholesale business experience but learning as you go is fun and makes you become more savvy with each passing month. 

TalkingWithTami.com: If your married with kids, tell us how your balancing a business, travel & family life? If your single, how do you find balance when trying to run your business and socializing?

We ( the three sisters Lori, Elise and Leslie have 15 kids between us ranging in age from 9-25.  It has been a huge challenge to have the work life balance but our priority is to get our product and company branded and build a legacy for our children. 

For further info please visit: www.isabelt.com

TalkingWithTami.com: Tell us about Samantha Grace Designs! I have been President of a contract packaging company for the past 15 years.  I have truly enjoyed this career and have learned an insurmountable amount of valuable information.  The only thing that has been lacking is the creativity factor.  For some time I have pursued that end on my own outside of work but finally felt that it was time to make it much more of an everyday part.  I have left my career and have taken the scary plunge into pursuing my hobby full time.  My product is my creative side and I felt I needed to give it the time it deserved. I am not completely at a place where I want to be with my line but I am certainly getting a step closer each day. 

TalkingWithTami.com: Where do you see Samantha Grace Designs going in the next year or so? 

I hope to continue to add more stores to our clientele list.  I am excited with each one that comes on board and especially thrilled that new customers keep re- order ing often.  We know we have a viable product and business because just getting it into a store is half the battle – having the end consumer purchasing is the real test of your product. 

TalkingWithTami.com: What makes Samantha Grace Designs Unique? We put a lot of effort into our goods and it is always nice to hear when people appreciate the time and energy that goes into creating our unique products.

TalkingWithTami.com: If you didnt have the Samantha Grace Designs business what is another passion of yours? 

Well I love my two children and husband beyond words so spending time with them is a definite passion.  Other than that I am always interested in finding out about other places – I absolutely love to travel and would visit as many places in the country and the world as I possibly can.  My son is taking a trip to Europe next summer with People to People and I can’t wait for him to experience what I have always loved doing – finding out how other people live. 

TalkingWithTami.com: Please give my readers some good tips for Launching a new business? 

Persistence and Patience!  Without them you will either not make it at all or give up too early. 

Well Tami, I hope I have given you the information you need for your blog – please let me know when you plan to put it on there and send me a copy of it for me files.  I am in the process of re-doing my website and I would love to be able to put your blog entry on my press page.

www.samanthagracedesigns.com