Laurie Tester, Lulu and Daisy

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Name:  Laurie Mendenhall Tester

Hometown:  High Point, NC

Current Residence (City, State):  same

Education: East Carolina University (Interior Design); UNCG (Art History)

Professional Background (brief, please):

What you wanted to be when you grew up:  A teacher

What you are:  An artist

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Prior to discovering my artistic ability, I spent 10 years in the furniture business as an interior designer in sales.  It was nice work if you could get it.  As more and more companies left the states for cheap Chinese labor, North Carolina was no longer the “furniture capital” of the world.  It was time for a change….and a real chance to see what I could do in the world on my own.My husband, Chris, is also very creative.  I was just developing my artistic creations when we met. While I was still working in the furniture industry, he helped me develop Lulu and Daisy from design to production.  He has helped develop our lap desks as well as many of our finishing processes.  Our lap desks are each hand made by him.  I only supply the painted design to these wonderful items.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of my wonderful husband. I am very driven, though more like an artist-kind of driven.  I work hard….but at my own pace.  I also come from a long line of piddlers.  If I am not focused on my task at hand, I find myself working on something that has no importance what-so-ever.  Doodling and the like.  I love to doodle out my next BIG idea, though. Lulu and Daisy is what finally emerged from every pencil sketch and crayon drawing that I have tucked away in a drawer or file folder.  They are everywhere, I promise.

Company Website?  www.luluanddaisy.com

What inspired you?  My desire to work for myself and to work in a creative field.

How long have you been in business?  Officially:  2004; unofficially: 2000

How did you fund it?  Self startup.  Any money made went right back into it because I had another job to pay the bills.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Monica Smith of The Pink Monogram

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups?  Junior League of High Point

Current Business Challenge?  Organization

What are you doing about it?  I have hired someone to help me organize.

Favorite motivational quote: Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.  Cecil B. DeMille

Family?  Husband, Chris; dogs:  Daisy and Gracie

If so, how do you balance family and business?  Make sure that I keep business hours.  I have a tendency to keep working through dinner.  Set aside time for each other!

Favorite book?  The Great Gatsby

What do you do to relax?  Go to the beach when I can.  I like to watch tv to zone out.

What do you want to change most about your world?
My organization

What are you most proud of?
My wine stoppers in Rachael Ray’s magazine

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?
There is enough for everyone and be creative!

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?
Other women entreprenuers

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?
Emeralds, aqua marine and blue topaz—colors of the sea.

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur?
Of course.  I think the best resource we have is each other!

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Getting out there, attending wholesale markets, etc.

Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party”?  Sure

Would you be willing to be a facilitator of such an event?  If I have time

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