We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen Kice and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always wanted to own my own business but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do yet. Sewing started as a hobby 6 years ago that evolved into my full time business today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
All of my pieces are custom made by hand, I design each piece specially for my customer. I absolutely love bringing visions to life. It can be so hard when you have a vision in your head and can’t find it anywhere, some clients bring pictures of three different dresses and I’m able to put them together into one dress to fulfill their fantasy of the perfect dress! I also love to freestyle, some clients give me total creative control. That can be very exciting and also very overwhelming because the options are endless!! In those situations I tend to ask the customer for examples of styles they like, favorite colors etc and that narrows it down. Of course it wasn’t easy starting the business and to keep it going you have to push yourself constantly. People think it gets easier but when your business grows you have to grow with it and be prepared for all the hard work ahead of you. It’s definitely been a journey!! I think the most difficult thing for me has been balancing the business and family life. You want to make time for both but have to be ready to sacrifice either. It’s all about choices and a lot of times you don’t know if it’s the right or wrong choice, but you have to make one and keep moving forward.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
If it wasn’t for COVID-19 a friend of mine from Iceland would’ve been here in Atlanta visiting me for the first time and I would’ve taken her to the malls (Lenox mall & Mall of Georgia) we would go to some clubs like Suite Lounge, Josephines etc restaurants like, Pappadeaux, Red Lobster, Cheesecake Factory. And Of Course I’d create some outfits for her us to wear for each event!!! I would also take her to some theme parks like Six Flags and White Waters.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely my husband, if he didn’t believe in me as much as he does I don’t think I’d be as successful. Every time I doubt myself (I still do sometimes!!) he is right there to encourage me and let me know how great I am and tells me to follow my instincts etc.

Website: www.kicecollection.com
Instagram: @KICEcollection
Twitter: @KICEcollection
Facebook: @KICEcollection
Youtube: @KICEcollection

Image Credits
Londynn B @londynnbofficial_ O @Oshotme

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