Today we’d like to introduce you to Hollis Stair.
Hollis, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My artistic journey began as a kid. I always loved creating and dreamed of being creative in some way for my career. However, when I graduated college in 2009 with a degree in advertising and marketing, the economy was in a recession and entry level jobs were hard to come by, let alone anything in design. Even still, I didn’t have adequate training in design at the time to be considered for graphic design jobs in the first place. (They don’t teach much design in business school!)
I was stuck in the worst, crappy, dead-end jobs imaginable. Customer service, telemarketing, and sales were pretty much the only options my degree gave me. My time in the corporate world was brief and disappointing. I ended up losing my last job while pregnant in 2012 and my husband and I made the decision for me to stay home with our daughter. I did the stay-at-home-mom thing. Had another kid, a boy.
Then grew restless. Mommin’ ain’t easy – let that be known. But I just needed more. I needed to create again. I needed to find my art and I needed it to be all mine. But could I really start my own business? Suddenly having a creative career seemed plausible though terrifying.
In June 2016 I launched Hands of Hollis, a custom paper goods studio, on a shoestring budget. My computer was a hodgepodge of parts we already had, I was using free software, and most of my experience in design was relegated to the 3 semesters of working for my college newspaper. My business focused on smaller events and handmade stationery sets. I just went for it! Then my business grew and grew as I learned more and implemented newer and better strategies. I made so many lasting professional connections. (Arguably my fave part!)
It felt amazing to have all these goals again. It felt even more amazing to be creating again. It felt especially good to finally be using my education for the first time in my entire career.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Starting a business with two kids at home was no joke. At the time my kids were 1 and 4 so not exactly super independent ages (like at all!) Time management will probably always be a struggle for the working mom, especially when that work is done at home. Finding that balance was definitely hard at first.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hands of Hollis – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business pivoted to weddings in mid-2017. I am known for high end, custom wedding invitation suites. Attention to detail, luxury quality and sophisticated design is what each and every one of my clients expects from me. I am proud that these brides would choose my small business out of a seemingly endless list of options but also know that my work is what sets me apart. Many of the techniques I use were created by myself and can only be found with HoH. The invitations I create are for the bride who’s looking to really impress her guests with gorgeous, meticulously crafted paper goods.
I am also honored to have been chosen as #1 for 2017 Best Wedding Invitations by Dallas A-List! This contest is voted on by clients as well as other professionals I’ve worked with.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Dallas because of how varied our population is! We are such a neat melting pot of people, languages, culture, religions, careers, personalities – you name it! I love meeting and getting to know people who are so different than me.
Love least? That’s easy – the traffic.
Pricing:
- Fully custom wedding invitations usually start around $800.
- My average client spends $1,200-$1,500 on their paper goods.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dallas, Texas
- Website: www.handsofhollis.com
- Phone: 9728221601
- Email: hello@handsofhollis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handsofhollis/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handsofhollis/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Image Credit:
Kristina Avila Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
