Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellyse Espinoza.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am the owner of State Line Designs, a local apparel company and founder of the HTX Boss Babes, a community that hosts festivals and supports female entrepreneurs and creatives around town. I had a background in Graphic Design and started State Line Designs, my first company at 26 in order to create cute, and comfy sports inspired tees for the city I love. I used social media to grow my Instagram following and now is one of the most recognized apparel lines in Houston.
After only eight months, Ellyse was able to leave her job in education and be a stay at home mom and entrepreneur full time. State Line is going on year five and is just getting started. When she’s not working, Ellyse enjoys traveling with her son Arian Lukas and spending time with friends away from the city.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all, I went to school for graphic design and never would have imagined I would someday have my own storefront, mobile boutique and company. I took a few business classes in school however really would advise anyone wanting to start a business to really pay attention and soak up as much information as possible. I have had to teach myself about branding, marketing and creating organic followers on social media. I started State Line when Instagram was just up and coming and the world was still mainly on Facebook, I had to teach myself what Instagram was and how to use it as a tool to drive sales. It was a lot harder when I started and now luckily I have made some mistakes and can now use those mistakes as lessons to teach the younger generation what to do and what not to do.
State Line Designs and HTX Boss Babes – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
State Line is a Texas-based apparel brand. I am known for the typography I use in my designs. I absolutely love Texas and really am inspired by all things Texas, however, my roots are in Houston and Hometown sports. I am truly inspired by our home teams and created my tees and tanks for the entire family and for people to have comfy tees for the tailgates and game days. I think I am most proud when I see people traveling the world in my tees. I will get tagged in family vacations in different parts of the world and it is the best feeling in the world. What sets me apart from everyone else, I think is that I really don’t take days off? Most businesses are Monday – Friday or just weekend side hustles, and State Line is my life, along with my son of course. It is rare that I take days off, this is not an average business, I get calls on the weekend that people need tees and items for their trips, it’s a crazy life I live but I love it. People always ask me how I do it, and there isn’t really an answer, I just do, I keep moving and working on my next moves and people see my hustle and that makes the world of a difference.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Wow, I love this question. I really define success with how happy one is. Money is great and always useful when it comes to running a company, however more importantly success is doing what you love and being happy. I love what I do; I love that people love what I do. I get so many Instagram messages from strangers cheering me on and that’s the best feeling. This has not at all been an easy road and I’ve missed out on a lot of birthday parties and special events but my true friends see my brand growing and are happy for my success. When I see someone opening a company or they ask me for advice on what they should do, I always ask them if they can see them doing this for the rest of their life? If the answer is YES! Then its a go! If it’s an “I don’t really know,” then I say, get a new idea. You have to love that you do, that’s going to be your motivation to keep you going. So I feel if you do what you love and are making some sort of incoming while doing it, then that’s success.
Pricing:
- Tanks are $28
- Tees are $30
- Baseball Tees / Flannels are $35
Contact Info:
- Address: 1201 Fannin St. Suite 137
Houston, Texas 77002 - Website: shopstateline.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @statelinedesigns
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston 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.
