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Every business has a story to tell.
LOCAL STORIES
March 5, 2024 at 10:17:06 PM
Mosaic Magic
Unveiling the Artistic Journey of Allison Eden
Published on:
March 5, 2024 at 10:17:06 PM
Ignite Business Insider shares the stories of businesses that are making an impact in their local markets. We highlight their stories in order to inspire entrepreneurial growth and to let readers learn more about businesses across the world that are growing and scaling.
Thank you for taking the time to sit with us and share your story. Can you share a little bit about you and your company?
Hi! I’m Allison Eden. I am a glass mosaicist. I started my business in 1993 in NYC, which began as a hobby. I fell in love with the medium, bought some glass without knowing what I could do with it, and created mosaic tile.
A question so many people are interested in, is how you got started. Can you share a little bit about what you were doing before this, and what that moment was like for you when you decided to start this new journey?
I was a student in college at The Fashion Institute of Design in NYC, studying as a fashion design student. I had been interning with Nautica until I found my passion for mosaics and took my life in an entrepreneurial direction, starting my own company while still in college.
Let's take a little bit of a detour, and rewind the clock a little bit. What did you want to be as a kid? And how did that influence the person you are today?
I always wanted to be an artist and have a gallery in NYC - that was always my dream!!
Have you fully let go of that childhood dream? And where do you see yourself going in the next ten years?
I’m living my dream 💖 Hmmm… In 10 years, I’ll still be doing the same thing, but hopefully by a pool on the beach.
Now, I have found that with successful people, there is always someone pivotal as either a mentor, parent, teacher, or someone that you look to for advise, that helped set you on this path. Could you share who that person was? And what impact that had on the person you are today?
I did not have a mentor in business per se... Can you imagine telling your parents that after paying for 7 years of fashion design school, I was going to now be a mosaicist? That didn’t go over well initially, but my parents always said they believed in me and would support my decisions, and that gave me the confidence to just not think and start a business. I winged the whole thing!! I needed to pay my rent, and rents are high in NYC, so I had to be serious and was hungry to succeed and be my own boss. To pay my rent, I just winged the rest and am self-taught, which I think is the best way to be knowledgeable in your field.
What was one take away that you learned from that person? And how did it translate into your business today?
My parents always believed in me; they were supportive. My Dad used to say about me that I was crazy but as good as gold!! My husband is also my biggest cheerleader. Without Gary, there would be no business; he handles everything that I can’t do, which is all the business stuff.
When we work with businesses, we focus a lot on their "Why?". What is your "Why"? What is the driver behind your company, and why you and your team wake up each day and give it your all?
I believe in my product. I believe that tile is art, and any canvas I can use to display artwork is a score for me!! I also love interiors, so being able to work with such creative interior designers and architects really takes my excitement to another level. Knowing I am getting epic canvases for all to see, especially on the large projects.
Let's dive deeper into your products and services. You already gave an overview, but how do your products or services help your customers? And what makes them different from your competitors?
My products are all custom and handmade, and made in the USA. If you can dream it, I can make it. I love that my glass is so durable and comes in the most fabulous colors. I offer one-on-one design creations that will last many lifetimes.
Let's unpack that even further. Let's pick one aspect of your business. What makes it so unique? And how does it change you or your customer's experience?
Customer service is one of my most important attributes. I believe in being involved and giving your client exactly what they want, when they want, and exactly how they want it.
Let's dive into your customer's journey a little bit. Can you share with us, how do your customers discover you and your brand? What are their next steps? And what is the experience you would like to see your customers go on, when working with you and your brand?
We are sold through exclusive showrooms throughout the country. When a client walks in, you want the salesperson to bring them straight to your tile.
Let's rave about your customers for a minute. Can you share a story about one of your clients or customers, that either touched your heart, or made an impact with you and your team?
Okay, so I mosaiced Samuel Simmonds Medical Center in Barrow, Alaska. During installation, I got a call from the GC saying the tile contractor got almost eaten to death by a polar bear. Mind you, the hospital is built in the glaciers on the top of the world, and there are bears everywhere. It's dark for six months too. Since the project was so large, the architect asked if I could go there to ensure the installation was okay. I was so excited and hopped on five flights, with the last one being a cargo plane to the top of the world. When I landed in the glaciers, I was met by the mayor of Barrow who presented me with native gifts and told me I was hired for the project. Barrow has the highest suicide rate, and my work brought so much fun, color, happiness, and durability. The hospital wanted my mosaics everywhere to help keep the suicide rate down, as color affects emotion. Being dark half the year puts most people in terrible depressions, but the shock of fun mosaics everywhere brought happiness to every corner. It was a meaningful project for me, as I believe my work explodes with sunshine and can withstand the harsh elements. I have since worked in their hotel and community centers and have made lifelong friends with the Inupiat people. I was so grateful to create rays of sunshine in such a dark place and learn about a culture I knew nothing about. Mosaics are the oldest form of art known to man, and I was grateful to add my signature twist in mosaics in hopes to bring fun and beauty to the top of the world 🌎.
Everyone likes an inside scoop. What detail or secret about either you, or your company, is something most people might not know?
I do it for the love of art instead of financial motivation.
Final thoughts. What feeling or benefits would you like your customers or clients to take away when working with you and your team?
I love what I do. I love creating art and leaving my mark on the world wherever I go.
Last question. How can people find out more about you and your company?
Yes. You can find us on various platforms! Check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AllisonEdenStudios/, follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/aesmosaic, or explore our creative side on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonedenstudios/. If you're into visual inspiration, we've got a Pinterest board too: https://www.pinterest.com/allisonedenstudios/.
And, of course, feel free to reach out through our website or give us a call. Want to see our work in person? Ask about us at a local showroom near you!
Thank you so much for sitting with us and sharing your story.
😘😘😘
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Ignite Business Insider is on a mission to share the stories of entrepreneurs across the globe. We truly believe that business owners and entrepreneurs are driving the world's economy and making this world a better place to live and work. We would like to share your story.
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