Name: Andrea Briscoe
Current Job Position Title: Owner / CEO
Company Name: Felise Creations
Contact Information: felisecreations@gmail.com
Special skills: Crafting/handmade products
Describe your job story:
Honestly I never even knew I had it in me. One day I was at home flipping through the channels and came across the HSN network and I seen this machine that does all these wonderful things like cut out shapes. I fell in love and wanted to see what if anything I could do with it. So I bought it and from there it was non-stop. I discovered this creativity I never knew I had, I started putting colors and things together that most wouldn't think to do.
I didn't want to stop there...I wanted to see just how far I could take this new found passion of mine. One day I decided I wouldn't rely so much on that machine to make my cards, gift bags, invitations, etc. unique...I wanted to do it all by hand... Felise Creations was born. I began to fall in love with my creations and wanted to share my creativity with others, which led to the creation of my blog. I have been crafting and creating for about 3 yrs. now but it wasn't until recently that I decided I needed to take it yet another level because there is no limit to what you can do when you put your mind to it. I love seeing my creativity and imagination come to life (which happens to be my blogslogan). Please visit the blog at felisecreations.wordpress.com. The website is my next step and I'm so excited about the next phase of the journey.
What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?
When I was a child I wanted to be a lawyer. As I grew older I decided I wanted to be a scientist.
Are doing your dream job?
At the moment I am not in my dream job but I am working on it. Creating Felise Creations is the first step in a world of opportunities that I plan to explore.
What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?
What I like most is the fact that I have creative control. I see a vision and I am able to bring it to life. I love mixing colors that wouldn't normally be together, I love how I get into a zone when I am creating that leads to the end result I seen in my mind.
What I like least about what I do is the fact that in the past I've limited myself because I wanted things to be so perfect. Not saying there's anything wrong with striving for perfection but in some cases it can be crippling and add more pressure then needed. I found that when I wanted perfection it took away from the creativity. Now I embrace the quirky crafting - that's where things don't always have to be so straight. I embrace some of the mistakes because sometimes you have someone who actually likes to have a little "funkiness" in the product.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see Felise Creations taking me places that I can say I've always dreamed about. I see myself coming out with my own product line...like crafting supplies that people in my world use all the time. I see myself traveling to different places hosting classes, being a guest blogger / speaker, doing collaborations...WHEW! I see myself successful and blessed!
Are you happy with where you are in life?
I am happier then I've been in life. I've made mistakes (who hasn't) but as I look back I can see some lessons that I may have missed while in the thick of the storm. I am proof that you can go through things but come out stronger with the dream becoming bigger. I see only good, positive things happening for me because I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS!!
What more do you want to do with your life?
I want to become successful so that I help others out in my family. My siblings and I have lost both of our parents and we are all we have. I want to be in a position to help them achieve their dreams as well.
What drives/motivates you?
Being my own boss drives and motivates me. I have been in the corporate world for pretty much my adult life. There are things that I like but a lot more that I do not like. I go above and beyond...not for the recognition but because that's the person I am. But when all you get back in return is negativity that's a lot for a person to handle. When you're best is never good enough it can break you down and make you think twice about yourself. I don't want to be that person. I was created to be something
and it took me until now to realize that. But I will say this...now that I know and believe that I deserve and am worth so much more I want to do more.
What else do you do?
In my current role I am an Executive Assistant and an HR Coordinator. So I have organizational skills and I am a people person as well. While I am over the corporate world I appreciate each and every experience I've had...because they all prepared me for the next phase in my life. Running you own business requires organizational skills as well as being a people person. The corporate world has taught me all of that and more.
What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?
I would say to them to not give up hope. I know that its easier said then done but you have to hold on. When I first moved from NJ (where I'm from) to GA (where I currently live) I couldn't find a job for the life of me. Everything in me wanted to give up and run back home. I mean my 22 yrs. old son had to take care of me while I looked for work. That was blow to me as a mother...the stress he was under having to go to a job that he couldn't stand and had him upset every single day. But he did it because he loves his mom and he knew I was trying. To take that load from him, I took the 1st thing that came up and it was a disaster. I had the boss from hell but I soon began to train myself and my mind to know that it was all temporary - it wasn't going to last long. I now believe that you have to go through the bad, gain the lessons and experience before you get to that place of peace - where you're supposed to be. Don't give up...the end result will be worth all the hard work (and frustrations).
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