Cute Laces — Local Undercover

Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:

Who am I and What do I do? I'm a nomadic planet earth dweller with a creative mind. I'm originally from London, England. I've lived in Northern France, Paris, New York, Turkey, Los Angeles and now I call Las Vegas "Home". During these varied experiences I have observed life and been inspired along the way. I run a few businesses: three active businesses including Cute Laces and three new businesses in the pre-launch stage.

Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?

Cute Laces as a business name was a lucky find! When I was brainstorming names for the shoelaces I made from fabric, I checked to see if cutelaces was available as a domain and it was! As well as all the social media.

What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?

Cute Laces is all about individual style and self expression, I listen to my customers on what they like or what they are looking for. The most popular style/s are leopard print, tie dye and the red bandana.

What makes your business unique to the industry?

Cute Laces are shoelaces made from funky fabric with fun prints, that's pretty unique :-)

What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?

My biggest roadblock in business happened in a previous endeavor. I once owned a fabric store, just outside London. Nine months after I opened the store, one night, the ceiling collapsed due to a flood in the upstairs apartment. Hot water and debris destroyed everything in the store. Two days earlier my Dad had been rushed to hospital. He was very ill. He was given 5% chance of survival! So when the flood happened, a few days later I genuinely was able to put things in perspective. What I lost at the store in the flood was just insured stuff. The closure enabled me to spend time with my Dad during his recuperation. I repaired the shop and reopened three months later. This experience constantly reminds me of what is actually important in life. My Dad passed away shortly after that, I was so fortunate to have had that extra time to spend with him.

How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?

In 2020, like many other creatives we pivoted and made facemasks.

What is your favorite part of what you do?

I love how varied each day is. From photography to choosing fabrics for a new collection. From sending out orders to working with suppliers! When we are at Jackalope, I love meeting the lovely people who support our small businesses. Seeing kids sit on the grass to swap out their shoelaces as soon as they can makes my day!

**What is your must do local activity?**

We "temporarily" moved to Las Vegas in October 2018 - we're still here, and we LOVE it! Las Vegas has a fantastic arts district and downtown area, full of independent restaurants, pop up shops, street art and so much more.

Where to find Cute Laces

Website: www.cutelaces.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cutelaces
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutelaces/