Ansley Pridgen, 23-year-old entrepreneur, wanted to use her creativity, her flair for painting, and her boundless energy to build her own business. She laid the groundwork at Southern Methodist University with a degree in accounting. After that, it was merely a matter of deciding what product would best fit her skills… and her heart.
She went to New York to try the fashion industry on for size. After taking a month- long class at Parsons School of Design, she worked in production and operations for a year, immersing herself in the business end of fashion and design. She learned a lot, but the biggest lesson was that she already had her medium in the palm of her hand…her painting, graphic, and calligraphic skills. Allie & Elle was born.
She came home to Highlands and set about building a line of graphic designs for greeting cards with an eye on expanding her collection to include calendars, planners, stationery, gift wrap,
and more.
What makes her product a cut above? She says, “All of my designs are based on my original paintings and calligraphy. I hand-glitter many of my images. When I create something, it is a little part of me. My customers respond to that personal expression. And those to whom they send cards connect with it also. It is a joy to know that heart-felt emotion is being shared exponentially with others.”
After launching her business in 2015, vending at a wholesale trade show in Atlanta, and establishing a strong web presence with her website, Pinterest, and Instagram, she is well on her way to claiming her own unique corner of the greeting card industry.
To view Ansley’s delightful line of cards, go online to allieandelle.com or visit Pinterest.com/allieandelle or Instagram@allieandelle. She can also be reached at ansley@allieandelle.com.
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