Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizi Ham.
Lizi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A couple years ago, I decided to hop on the denim jacket trend, but I wanted my jacket to go beyond keeping me warm by also saying something about my personality. All of the jackets I found were either too expensive or had designs that I had already seen before. I have always been driven by the unique so I figured I would simply paint myself my own jacket. That way, I would have complete artistic control and mine would be the only one of its kind. So, I found a design I liked on the internet, bought some paints, and unintentionally created my first Lizi Phoenix jacket. Every time I wore it, both friends and people on the street would express that they loved it and that they wished they could have their own version.
From there, the cogs started turning and I began working with people to paint jackets for them with personal designs that spoke to their personalities and interests. I deeply enjoyed the process of working one-on-one with different people to create something they could use, love, and be themselves in. With everyone wearing one of my jackets getting stopped and complimented, word spread and I soon had almost more orders than I could handle. I studied Studio Art at Tufts SMFA and Entrepreneurship at Northeastern, so I, fortunately, had the skills I needed to start a business and that I did. As the business grew so did peoples’ faith in what I would create for them. My favorite orders are the ones where people give me the blind trust to paint something of my own conception which encapsulates their personality. I now work with individuals and with other businesses. My jackets are now sold both in some wonderful stores in California and online with a global range of clients from the UK to Ghana and beyond.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In my opinion, building this business has been a smooth road because I refuse to let it be a rough one. Once I realized I was onto something potentially very successfully I locked my attitude into one of positivity. Initially, it took some time but I came to simply learn from hiccups along the way rather than stress over them, it’s a much happier way to exist.
That said, unfortunately, the most reoccurring struggle I have faced is heavy judgment with abundant sides of sexism and power play. It is disheartening to see the expression on some peoples’ faces when I tell them I run my own business and they think I am joking because I don’t look the part. I’ve encountered many people who assume I am not smart because I didn’t get a ‘real’ job after college, and I’ve had big clients try to cheat me on contracts and finances because they thought I wouldn’t be able to notice. I’ve even had my own professor look at my business plan and tell me that I should get married as a solution to the financial questions I asked him.
At the end of the day, I have found an answer to combining something that makes me look forward to every day, making people happy, and empowering myself. I think that’s pretty smart.
Please tell us about Lizi Phoenix.
While there are many artists out there who create denim jackets, I am known for the fact that each one is laboriously hand-painted over 20-35 hours and that each piece is one-of-a-kind. The designs are painted with a customer in mind so there is an intimacy between the jacket and the individual who wears it. My style of painting is a combination of realistic and highly stylized. My artwork has always incorporated bold colors, line, and personal connection. The biggest compliment I receive is when someone recognizes my work and knows it’s mine because I am proud of the style where I have landed.
I am most proud of my consistency to remain true to myself. People will frequently advise me to do something a certain way because it’s what other businesses have done. I usually go in the opposite direction. I am not trying to be like any other brand as those already exist. All of the choices I have made from design to marketing to production were made because I believe they are the most reflective of myself.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
It’s important not to be swayed by competition. Remember that if someone prefers a competitor’s product they weren’t your ideal client anyway. The people who love your product will love it regardless of whatever else is out there so have trust in those people. It is much more effective to focus on what you do well than to worry about what you could be doing better. Be the best at your strengths and feel comfortable letting a competitor conquer the next category. Don’t move on until you’ve achieved everything you wanted to in your category. By spreading yourself too thin, you’ll use up the energy that can take you to the top. It’s all about tunnel vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: liziphoenix.com
- Phone: 609-751-3880
- Email: lizi@liziphoenix.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liziphoenix/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liziphoenix/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lizi_Phoenix
Image Credit:
Lizi Ham
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