Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Hazen.
Hi Denise, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
When my son, Nicholas, was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. At that time, the Doctor told me all the things he would never do. The one thing that he said that I couldn’t accept was that Nicholas would never be a contributing member of society. From that point on I knew that I had to find something that Nicholas could excel at and be productive. When Nicholas was 13 years old, we were introduced to an amazing leather craftsman named Peter Main. He graciously began teaching Nick the fine art of leatherworking. Peter was amazed at Nick’s fine eye for detail! We had finally found something that Nick could be a star! We started making hand-stamped leather bracelets, and little by little, they became popular. The turning point for us was when The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo asked if Nick could hand stamp the Howdy logo onto leather bracelets. All of a sudden, this went from a mother-and-son endeavor into a real business. We needed production help, so we hired his classmates to help us with pre-production, production, and postproduction, and thus Aspire Accessories was born! Nick and his classmates diligently worked to fulfill the orders, and I noticed that they had a new sense of purpose and importance. One of the biggest problems families with loved ones with disabilities face is what many call the “service cliff.” After graduation, the opportunities for those with Intellectual and Developments Disabilities are few and far between. Knowing that Nick had very few options and seeing the enthusiasm of his classmates when they worked on the bracelets, I decided that Aspire Accessories could be that place where they could not only have purpose but also have a community.
Today, we have 24 incredible artisans who work at Aspire Accessories. The artisans come between 2 to 5 days a week and are paid for the incredible work they create. We have a vast line of products that range from home goods, customized gifts, hand-embroidered items, and hand-poured candles. We sell through our website and craft sales as well as selling wholesale to stores across the country and working with several corporations for their gift-giving needs. We are proud to say that through the years, we have sold over a million dollars in product and that all the money goes back into the program to pay our artisans, staff, rent, and various overhead. We are a program of The HUB Houston that makes sure those with IDD are Heard, Understood, and Believed in.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We have faced many challenges along the way as a small nonprofit. Running a program like Aspire requires a smaller artisan and teacher ratio so our artisans can be successful and reach their full potential. The sale of our products only covers some of the costs we incur, so we are always looking for donations and grant opportunities to help us continue our journey. Covid was particularly difficult for us because we rely on outside sales for sustainability, and all our shows were canceled. Our artisans returned to work in May 2020 and were ready to work, now all we needed was orders. Luckily, we were approached by one of the local HCA hospitals and asked if we could help them with hospital week gifts. Suddenly, we were back in business!
One of our biggest challenges is competing with the internet on pricing for certain items. We are always looking for partners who understand that their purchases from Aspire are having a huge impact in the community because they are putting these amazing young people to work. We are always looking for partners who understand the importance of making purchases that also provide purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have always had a creative mind and have been making things with my hands since I was a child. Before my children were born, I was an elementary art teacher. When we discovered Nick’s talent for perfectionism, it was the perfect marriage. I would design items, and he would implement them beautifully.
Aspire started specializing in hand-embroidered items such as tea towels, cocktail napkins, and baby gifts. The craftsmanship is perfection! They also have an incredible line of customized oyster shells that they make into ornaments, napkin rings, and ring dishes.
What I am most proud of is that Aspire is a thriving workshop with amazing artisans who create beautiful items. Without Aspire, their talents would not be showcased. Here at Aspire, they are happy and productive and have a safe, loving community that celebrates them for who they are.
How do you define success?
I define success by the smiles I am greeted with each time I walk through the doors of Aspire Accessories. Knowing that my son, Nick, is productive, a contributing member of society, and a part of a loving community is all I need!
Pricing:
- $15-$200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aspireaccessories.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspireaccessories/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspireaccessorieshub/
