spotlight Archives - CustomizedGirl Blog

Storefront Spotlight – Fighter Alias

May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 CustomizedGirl Leave a comment

In this installment of our Storefront Spotlight series, we wanted to highlight a storefront that’s been selling with us for a number of years now. Fighter Alias opened its storefront in 2015 and has been successfully selling original and creative designs every year since then.

On top of selling awesome merchandise, Fighter Alias also sponsors a number of athletes including MMA fighters, pro wrestlers, hockey teams, and boxers. Check out their website here: Fighter Alias

We asked the storefront’s owner, Ian Pimper, a few questions about his success and what he appreciates most about selling with Customized Girl.

CG: Why did you choose Customized Girl for opening your storefront?
Ian: We chose Customized Girl for opening our storefront because of their willingness to help our business grow and reach its potential. They had such an amazing selection of products to help showcase the brand and designs of Fighter Alias.

Fighter Alias knows how to flip that switch!

CG: What has been the most fun part of running your storefront?
Ian: The most fun part of running my storefront is reaching people all over the world with Fighter Alias

CG: Tell us more about Fighter Alias and what your group does.
Ian: Fighter Alias is a brand that embodies one’s identity and our abilities to flip a switch and transform into our alter egos when faced with challenges. We sponsor male and female MMA, Pro Wrestling, Hockey, and Fitness athletes all over the world, helping and contributing to their journeys.

Unlock your potential with Fighter Alias!

CG: What does it mean to ‘flip your switch and transform into your alter ego?
Ian: Flipping a switch and transforming into your alter ego means that when faced with challenges and adversity, we reach deep within ourselves and bring out our intense and driven personas to accomplish our goals.

CG: Where do you get your ideas for designs?
Ian: We get our ideas for our designs through different concepts that shout identity and bringing our alter egos to the surface. We also ask our Fighter Alias athletes what ideas they have and would like to see.

CG: What tips can you give to aspiring storefront owners to make their stores a success?
Ian: Always have fun and be passionate about what you are doing. Keep an open mind and embrace the journey.

Guest Blogger Spotlight – VivaKolor

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 CustomizedGirl Leave a comment

A note from CustomizedGirl: In reverence of Black History Month, we wanted to use our platform to help amplify black voices in the blogging community. So this year we’re featuring a post from a guest blogger. Her name is Alecia Grant and her blog is called VivaKolor. We encourage you to check out her blog where she writes about fashion and lifestyle topics from her home in New York. You can also read this featured article on her site here. For our guest spotlight, Alecia wanted to share her feelings on ‘How To Celebrate Black History Month On Social Media’. Check it out below!

How To Celebrate Black History Month On Social Media – by Alecia Grant via VivaKolor

During Black History Month, we celebrate the accomplishments, history and influence of the black community. I was compelled to write this post because now that we are home more and it’s a new year, it’s imperative for brands and creators to go further than a MLK quote. (not saying that there is anything wrong with that) And not to mention, 2020’s socioeconomic climate was an incredibly moving moment in the U.S. I feel that right now is the perfect chance to amplify voices while educating your audience, encouraging black creators to want to create more, focus on businesses advancing, and advocate for change.

So lets talk about how we can accomplish this:

1) Celebrate Black History All Year: Black History is more than a moment. To avoid being labeled as opportunistic, brands should prioritize black culture in everything that they do. Campaigns that are geared towards the celebration of the black community should provide value while being authentic, and empathetic.

2) Spotlight Creators and Q&As: By showcasing black creators, black-owned businesses and black-owned brands in your industry this can be a great way to introduce your audience to people and businesses that they can support.

There are so many ways to do so. A great idea is to host a virtual (of course) Q&A event either on IG live, facebook, Zoom…. with a Black creator in your industry.

For example, Adobe is giving black creators a chance to share their stories.

**Also, please value creators time and expertise by offering to work with a budget. Free products can’t pay the bills. This is important.

3) Use Your Platform To Amplify People or Organizations: Most brands’ social media channels have lots of followers, which makes this an excellent opportunity for brands to use their channels to highlight organizations, individuals, and others who fit within their value system. For example, YouTube has committed to amplifying black creators and highlighting injustice with lots of initiatives. According to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, YouTube has over 2 billion users, and has created a multiyear $100 million dollar fund dedicated to “amplifying and developing the voices of black creators and artists and their stories”. This includes a series of roundtables, conversations and more that highlight black creators while raising money. Way to go YouTube!

4) Share History Facts of Black Inventors/Innovators/Designers: This is fun as you can choose people who are not that popular to the mainstream. This can be done on any social media platform as well as your website Also, this is an introspective way to get your audience to stick around and want to see more creativity from you. For example, if you’re a fashion brand—how about highlighting Ann Lowe who was a fashion designer and best known for designing Jackie Kennedy’s wedding gown.

Or highlight an impeccable author/poet like Alexandra Elle who uses her poetry to show compassion while inspiring.

This list can go on for a while, but I will stop here. So please continue to create content to celebrate black history all year on social media. I hope these strategies help and I am looking forward to seeing more value when creating content in the future.

Storefront Spotlight – Dead Cute

October 1, 2020September 28, 2020 CustomizedGirl Leave a comment

It’s officially the first day of the spooky month! To celebrate all things spooky, we’re featuring an extra special storefront on Customized Girl. This time we’re highlighting an incredibly unique type of storefront whos owner works in a morgue! While most of us may be too scared to even go near one of those places, Taylor S. has turned her profession into her creative passion!

The death care profession is one that largely goes undiscussed in everyday life due to its inherent associations to death. But we wanted to go straight to the source, so we asked Taylor about her storefront and experience as a mortician. Check out what she had to say about her storefront Dead Cute!

CG: What made you start a storefront with Customized Girl?
Taylor: I started my storefront because I have ordered from Customized Girl for years and am always impressed with the quality of their products. The customer service is also AMAZING and I always have my questions answered ASAP.

Who knew there were so many stages of decomposition?

CG: We heard that you use the earnings from your storefront for a good cause. Can you tell us more about that?
Taylor:

I started making designs and my friends and colleges wanted to purchase my designs. I had no idea I could open my own storefront and how easy it was. My dad was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and unfortunately still had to work through his entire cancer treatment. It was extremely difficult on him so I decided to open the storefront to assist in his chemo medications and overall bills. I work at a funeral home and my
Dad has been my biggest supporter and rock as this industry is emotionally and physically draining. During COVID 19, people often forget death care workers are essential and I have been blown away by the love and support I have received from other death care workers.

CG: What’s it like working in a morgue?
Taylor: Working in a mortuary has been a very rewarding career and I can’t imagine working anywhere else. I always see shirts about other essential workers and I thought “hey, I should design things for the death care industry to show they are not forgotten about.”

Show pride in your profession, no matter what you do!

CG: What is your favorite part of Halloween?
Taylor: Every day is Halloween working in a mortuary and we always look forward to Halloween baking, crafts, and decorating. We usually have all the decorations we need at work so decorating is pretty cheap! Haha

The human skull is what keeps our vital nervous system (the brain) safe!

CG: What tips can you give to aspiring storefront owners to make their stores a success?
Taylor: One tip I will always suggest to new storefront creators is to find your niche and contact everyone you can who would be interested. Whether It’s fitness, food, or career, look at other stores and see what hasn’t been done.

Our totes make great gifts! Bodybags, not so much.

CG: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
Taylor: Check out my Instagram, DeadCuteDesigns, and don’t forget to use your hashtags! Good luck with your Customized Girl Journey. Stick with it, don’t get discouraged and you will do great!