Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayna Ellis.
Shayna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Virtual Visions was a name my mom came up with. It was actually a business she had in her head where she always wanted both me and her to start a home decorating/remodeling business. It officially started in 2011-2012 as a hobby. After my first year of being an educator, I was laid off due to the school districts cutting back on the number of teachers needed in schools. I was so used to working and unemployment wasn’t cutting all the bills I had to pay. I always had a passion for interior design and doing stuff with my hands, so I started decorating small events for friends and making birthday cakes. The more I was doing favors, the more people would refer me to others. I didn’t know people actually liked my work like that as it was just something for me to do. Pretty soon, I decided to make it into a small business. I explained to my mom what people were wanting to pay me for just for styling an event. She gave me her blessing with taking Virtual Visions and putting a twist on her own vision for the company and decided “Virtual” should be well rounded and the “Vision” was me having an eye for details and designing. It just so happened a year after I started doing Virtual Visions, I went back to teaching high school full-time and still putting all my hours into my business, even till this day. With my skills and past experiences; Virtual Visions started off as just cake and event decorating to now specializing in mobile bartending, and over the top candy buffets. So my services are literally Virtual! Virtual Visions has blessed me with so many opportunities such as making cakes for well-known people in the entertainment industry, reaching my goals as a small business owner, and even brought out my fun personality for everyone to see!
My story encouraged me to start a new organization in Houston for female small business owners. This organization is called H.E.R., which stands for Houston Entrepreneurs Revealed. My mission with this business is to design, inspire, and encourage female entrepreneurs and aspiring female entrepreneurs. Within the H.E.R. organization, I implement various events and workshops filled with other female entrepreneurs across various industries. These events will allow current and aspiring entrepreneurs to make meaningful connections while networking with other small business owners.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course, everything doesn’t come easy. The struggles I’ve encountered include not having help with resources. Because I was just starting out, it seems like everything was a secret with finding the best websites to get inventory at a wholesale price, or the best ways to get your business out there for people to give you a chance. In my head I was getting so frustrated; I’m like this city is too big to not help each other out as business owners. You can read all you want; however, it’s always better with a hands-on approach with having mentors to help guide you every step of the way. I had to figure everything… literally… everything out on my own. Watching you-tube on creating floral centerpieces, cake show competitions, etc. The next most challenging struggle for me was finances. I was always dipping in my own personal paychecks just to build inventory, pay for small advertisements, going to networking events like bridal show conventions just so I can see who’s who in Houston. Mind you, I wasn’t always getting booked, but they say it takes your own money to make money, so I dedicated each check to put towards Virtual Visions. It wasn’t until I had to sit down and get financial advice from my mom to see what I was doing wrong. My last major struggle was confidence. I was always looking at other business women who were successful in a short time period and was doubting myself. Always asking why this, why that? How is she always getting booked and my work is just as great, etc. I had to come to the realization that timing was everything, and it just wasn’t my time for me to handle everything being thrown at me all at once in such a short time period. I practice on my craft every day, and I motivate myself on so much success I’ve already encountered. Every failure is a learning experience, which makes me that much stronger as a businesswoman.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Virtual Visions story. Tell us more about the business.
Virtual Visions is a full package special event company. I specialize in cake decorating, event designer which I also call an event stylist, mobile bartending (I use to bartend at various clubs), and over the top candy stations. What sets me apart from others is that right now, I do not have a team of people, so I do everything myself. I can design and decorate your entire event and still be there bartending for your guests. This is now my norm on weekends lol. You see most small business owners either just having a mobile bartending business, and then the client hires someone else to do the table settings and centerpieces, and someone else to do the cake. Virtual Visions gives you everything! That way, the client can just deal with one business instead of 3-4 other businesses.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I really don’t believe in having luck like that. Just the right timing for opportunities to come into your life. In addition to experiences; both good and bad. All experiences are still a learning process, the good and the bad.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.virtualvisions.squarespace.com/ www.herhouston.com
- Phone: 832.465.5878
- Email: virtualvisions.wedesign@gmail.com/ info.herhouston@gmail.com
- Instagram: @virtualvisions/ @herhouston
- Facebook: Virtual Visions Designs by Shayna Ellis/ HER Houston
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