Heather Nolte is an inspiration for any designer seeking to make it big. She originally started her business as just a fun and trendy way to have clothes for her new son back in 2003. People started to notice her new designs and wanted to know more and the where about of where to find them, and this is what started it all.
Since this first encounter back in 2003 her business has sky rocketed. Many people around the world can be found wearing her creative studded designs. Her designs have grabbed the attention of many people including myself.
Heather has taken out some time in her busy day of taken care of three children as well as her business to answer a few questions.
Christina: When you first started your business were you hesitant and if so why?
Heather: I had started Glamajama back in 2003 simply to make clothes for my son and hopefully get some spending money in the process. I didn’t have much of a business plan and really no concept of how much the company would grow. I looked at the business as more of a hobby, so I wasn’t really hesitant about getting started. Looking back, I was incredibly naïve. I wish I would have taken it more seriously and spent the time putting together a more structured business plan. Over the years, I‘ve learned that to make the company a success I need to treat it more as a business and not just a creative endeavor.
Christina: How does your family feel towards your business?
Heather: Everyone has been incredibly supportive since the beginning. Especially my husband, he has spent many sleepless nights with me getting orders out, creating and updating our website, and traveling with me to trade shows. It is incredibly hard getting a business started and a constant battle to keep it successful. It truly feels like a rollercoaster with all the emotions you go through and I doubt I could have made it this far without their love and support.
Christina: Did you ever think your designs would become this popular?
Heather: No, it’s really been an incredible journey and hard to believe. I remember flipping through the channels and seeing Tia Carrere on Oprah with her new baby girl dressed in Glamajama. They were just sitting there talking and I could hardly believe my eyes. I just kept thinking, somebody pinch me- I’m dreaming!
Christina: How do you feel knowing that there are tons of children out around the world wearing your clothes?
Heather: It’s a tremendous feeling and I just hope they love their Glamajama as much as I love making them!
Christina: Are there any other inspirational influences in your designs other than your children?
Heather: My children are my main influence, but there are always other inspirations. The designs are usually a melting pot of several different thoughts, people, places, and memories. Each one builds on top the next to create a new and unique vision. Once I have sketches of possible new designs in hand, I edit them by deciding which ones showcase the kids best and which ones are true to the Glamajama brand.
Christina: Do you plan your designs according to the seasons or are they just thought up then created?
Heather: Most of our pieces are basics that can be worn year-round. Each Spring and Fall we launch new styles and designs to keep the line updated. As the line evolves, we will become more seasonal with special pieces created only once for each season.
Christina: Do you ever see yourself changing the style of the clothing to where it wasn't studded?
Heather: Absolutely! We’re launching several new pieces at http://www.glamajama.com/ for Spring 2008 that will be a new direction for us. We’ll have some vintage inspired party dresses and a style update to our best-selling couture onesies. I’m extremely excited to be expanding the line and can’t wait to offer more of our items in the toddler sizes as well. As with anything, you have to switch it up every once in awhile to keep it interesting!
Christina: Is it hard sometimes to think of new creative ideas for your designs?
Heather: Sometimes, but I’ve learned not to force ideas. If you let yourself get desperate and settle for an idea that doesn’t really excite you, you’re only setting yourself up for failure. You need to believe in your idea 100% and know with all your heart that it will be a success. If you don’t have that confidence in your design, no one else will.
Christina: What was one of your hardest moments while designing for Glamajama?
Heather: Just getting started was the hardest part. I had graduated from UT Austin with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and spent the last couple years working at an investment firm. I had no clue about how the fashion industry worked or where to go to get help. It was a lot of trial and error and I spent a tremendous amount of time just trying to research the industry. You get knocked down sometimes and I made some stupid mistakes, but eventually my persistence paid off.
Christina: Do you think as your three children get older you will branch out and do teenager clothes and stop making infant/toddler clothes?
Heather: Who knows! I like to keep an open mind and look forward to trying new things and moving in different directions. I enjoy and embrace the challenges of creating something new season after season. I don’t see that changing any time soon!
Heather has more information provided about her and the creation of Glamajama that can be found at her website, Glamajama.com under “About Us”. Also there is a section dedicated to news and press so you can find out other articles written about Nolte as well as celebrities wearing her designs.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
SEU Girls Soccer Season Review
Woman’s Hilltoppers soccer comes to end November 11. However, their year was one to brag about for years to come.
The season began for the girls on August 4th with pre-season. They were getting ready with two a days and it was hot. During preseason was when the girls came up with their goals they wanted to accomplish during the season. They wanted to win conference make it to regional conference and have fun.
These goals seemed to look plausible when they started their season on august 24th. They beat both teams Truman and Ouachita. These games also represented a huge cause for the Hilltopper girls. These games were dedicated to Kim Yeatts mother of player Kelsey who had battled cancer. The teams wore breast cancer uniforms and were fully supporting the Susan G Koman foundation.
Their next game was against Steven F Austin on August 31, their first D1 school to play this season. This provided a great new experience for the girls. They had to up their playing level because this wasn’t a walk in the park they ended up losing the game in overtime but didn’t lose hope.
The next weekend was fun for the girls they traveled east to Florida to play in their tournament. They won against Barry easily then had their grudge match against Tampa. Last season Tampa lost against our Lady Hilltoppers here at our turf so when Tampa had a chance to beat our girls at their turf they took it, Tampa 3 Toppers 2.
The conference officially started the following weekend, September 16. The girls had a great start they battled many teams but none where prepared for what St. Edwards had to bring until October 14th when the girls faced Incarnate Word.
This was their first challenging game. Incarnate Word came out to beat the winning streak St. Edwards had. The game was tied at half time of one to one and no one seemed to be giving in. The girls battled it out through one over time. Then in the second over time with 20 seconds remaining Incarnate Word scored making the new score Incarnate Word 2 and St. Edwards 1. This taught the girls a very valuable lesson. It “taught them that they have to battle each game and they can’t show up, you have to work”, Kristen Gascoyne.
After this loss the girls reflected and kept on playing their hearts out. It was towards this time they added a new goal to their list. They wanted to be in the final four. The girls went on playing and winning every game up into where it counted most.
November 2nd and 4th were big games for the girls. They had to win both of these games in order to win conference. November 2nd was their rival game. They were challenging Incarnate Word yet again in their season. They needed this win more than ever and prevailed with the victory with St. Edwards 3 and Incarnate Word 1.
St. Edwards was ecstatic and beat the next team, aTm intl., to gain the title Co-Conference Champs and first in the region. This was the first time ever for St. Edward’s girl’s soccer to be titled first in the region and to receive the tournament for playoffs to be held at St. Eds.
The girls were strong and ready for their first match up. The fans were as ready as the players. There were clumps of people all around the hill. Parents were all talking about the past games and games to come, everyone was ready to see what SEU girls had to bring.
The game against Central Oklahoma began. Cheers and claps could be heard from the stands. People cheered for great plays and booed for bad calls. Fouls were given left and right for both teams leading to say this was going to be a fighting match till the end. Half way through the first half St. Edwards scores the first goal.
SEU fans were excited the half ended and everyone prepared for what the second half was going to bring. Twenty-five minutes into the second half Oklahoma scored making it a tied game. Everyone got nervous as the second half ended with a tie and over time was about to begin.
Over time began and again the constant battle for victory kept pursuing. The final two minutes were approaching and Oklahoma finally received the break they had been looking for the whole game they got a break away and scored the winning goal. SEU fans were silent.
As the players left the field fans cheered them off with the chant “ST. EDS! ST. EDS!” Even though the season ended the fans and players will live on through memories of this years 2007 Lady Hilltopper Soccer team!
The season began for the girls on August 4th with pre-season. They were getting ready with two a days and it was hot. During preseason was when the girls came up with their goals they wanted to accomplish during the season. They wanted to win conference make it to regional conference and have fun.
These goals seemed to look plausible when they started their season on august 24th. They beat both teams Truman and Ouachita. These games also represented a huge cause for the Hilltopper girls. These games were dedicated to Kim Yeatts mother of player Kelsey who had battled cancer. The teams wore breast cancer uniforms and were fully supporting the Susan G Koman foundation.
Their next game was against Steven F Austin on August 31, their first D1 school to play this season. This provided a great new experience for the girls. They had to up their playing level because this wasn’t a walk in the park they ended up losing the game in overtime but didn’t lose hope.
The next weekend was fun for the girls they traveled east to Florida to play in their tournament. They won against Barry easily then had their grudge match against Tampa. Last season Tampa lost against our Lady Hilltoppers here at our turf so when Tampa had a chance to beat our girls at their turf they took it, Tampa 3 Toppers 2.
The conference officially started the following weekend, September 16. The girls had a great start they battled many teams but none where prepared for what St. Edwards had to bring until October 14th when the girls faced Incarnate Word.
This was their first challenging game. Incarnate Word came out to beat the winning streak St. Edwards had. The game was tied at half time of one to one and no one seemed to be giving in. The girls battled it out through one over time. Then in the second over time with 20 seconds remaining Incarnate Word scored making the new score Incarnate Word 2 and St. Edwards 1. This taught the girls a very valuable lesson. It “taught them that they have to battle each game and they can’t show up, you have to work”, Kristen Gascoyne.
After this loss the girls reflected and kept on playing their hearts out. It was towards this time they added a new goal to their list. They wanted to be in the final four. The girls went on playing and winning every game up into where it counted most.
November 2nd and 4th were big games for the girls. They had to win both of these games in order to win conference. November 2nd was their rival game. They were challenging Incarnate Word yet again in their season. They needed this win more than ever and prevailed with the victory with St. Edwards 3 and Incarnate Word 1.
St. Edwards was ecstatic and beat the next team, aTm intl., to gain the title Co-Conference Champs and first in the region. This was the first time ever for St. Edward’s girl’s soccer to be titled first in the region and to receive the tournament for playoffs to be held at St. Eds.
The girls were strong and ready for their first match up. The fans were as ready as the players. There were clumps of people all around the hill. Parents were all talking about the past games and games to come, everyone was ready to see what SEU girls had to bring.
The game against Central Oklahoma began. Cheers and claps could be heard from the stands. People cheered for great plays and booed for bad calls. Fouls were given left and right for both teams leading to say this was going to be a fighting match till the end. Half way through the first half St. Edwards scores the first goal.
SEU fans were excited the half ended and everyone prepared for what the second half was going to bring. Twenty-five minutes into the second half Oklahoma scored making it a tied game. Everyone got nervous as the second half ended with a tie and over time was about to begin.
Over time began and again the constant battle for victory kept pursuing. The final two minutes were approaching and Oklahoma finally received the break they had been looking for the whole game they got a break away and scored the winning goal. SEU fans were silent.
As the players left the field fans cheered them off with the chant “ST. EDS! ST. EDS!” Even though the season ended the fans and players will live on through memories of this years 2007 Lady Hilltopper Soccer team!
3D makes all the difference
IMAX in Houston is playing the new movie Beowulf. This movie blew me away.
It started out first by being played in the IMAX. Which means awesomely huge screens to see every detail on! Then it proceeded with the fantastic 3D glasses to amplify the scenes and events.
And finally the movie was actually done all in cartoons which surprisingly looked almost exactly to some of the characters.
I was shocked to get to see this movie in such a large screen. By having it in a large screen the audience was ale to see everything that sometimes could be blocked by sitting in a small crowded theatre. Also, by being in an IMAX the sounds were boomed through the speakers as every creature and fight was going on.
By having the 3D glasses it gave the movie a physical experience. We could actually feel like we were there in the scene and could actually touch the people around us. It made us feel as though we were part of the audience.
Finally by having the cartoon characters added to the appreciation of the film. The artists took their time to make each character look as life like as possible. There were many moments through out the film where I forgot the people weren't really people at all.
All in all this movie amazes me and if you plan on seeing it try to go see it at the IMAX. It is well worth the extra money for all the features!
It started out first by being played in the IMAX. Which means awesomely huge screens to see every detail on! Then it proceeded with the fantastic 3D glasses to amplify the scenes and events.
And finally the movie was actually done all in cartoons which surprisingly looked almost exactly to some of the characters.
I was shocked to get to see this movie in such a large screen. By having it in a large screen the audience was ale to see everything that sometimes could be blocked by sitting in a small crowded theatre. Also, by being in an IMAX the sounds were boomed through the speakers as every creature and fight was going on.
By having the 3D glasses it gave the movie a physical experience. We could actually feel like we were there in the scene and could actually touch the people around us. It made us feel as though we were part of the audience.
Finally by having the cartoon characters added to the appreciation of the film. The artists took their time to make each character look as life like as possible. There were many moments through out the film where I forgot the people weren't really people at all.
All in all this movie amazes me and if you plan on seeing it try to go see it at the IMAX. It is well worth the extra money for all the features!
Holiday Spirit
I happened upon holiday spirit Nov. 9 as I was walking around the preschool where I work. I noticed that outside every door were little colored pendants to represent Diwali, Hindu New Year. I walked into a classroom so that I could learn more about this holiday. The homes during this celebration are cleaned and windows are opened so that Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, can enter. It is said that she can’t enter a house which is not lit up, so every household burns special Diwali clay lamp to light a way for the goddess, nicknaming the holiday Festival of Lights. It amazes me how light embraces many different holidays this time of year reminding us of hope, purification, and religion.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
What some jobs do on their free day
What do NFL trainers do on a bye week? This question pondered me because the players aren't going to be their and so who would they be training if no one was there.
Then the answer came...XBOX 360! That week that some of the NFL teams had a bye one of the Texas teams trainers were in their offices playing Halo three, Madden, and other fun 360 games.
Who would have thought that on a day off grown men in their late 30's and older would be sitting around a t.v. competing in a video game.
Then the answer came...XBOX 360! That week that some of the NFL teams had a bye one of the Texas teams trainers were in their offices playing Halo three, Madden, and other fun 360 games.
Who would have thought that on a day off grown men in their late 30's and older would be sitting around a t.v. competing in a video game.
Monday, November 12, 2007
HOP with out the I
House Of Pies a restaurant found in the outskirts of Houston isn't as appealing as it seems.
HOP was originally an old IHOP restaurant and it got turned into the Pie place instead of pancake. The food is similar to food you could find in your every day Denny's, or IHOP. But the reason people come to this restaurant is for the Pies.
They have a vast selection of pies going from cream, fruit, specialty, and meringue. They have other types of deserts but people wouldn't go to HOP for anything other than pies.
The service here isn't one to brag about. They were slow to come to your table but quick to bring out the pies. The environment isn't one to dress to impress to. It is your classical down to earth in a sense run down restaurant.
The pies also weren't as amazing as hoped. They came out cold but that might be since we didn't order the hot pies. But one would think that if you ordered a fruit pie it would be warm so that the ice cream would melt right on top. The chocolate cream pie tasted as though it was Jello pudding with a whip.
All in all HOP isn't as it seems. If you want a down to earth grungy pie house then HOP is the place for you, and if you are wanting high class Pie's then I am fresh out of ideas.
HOP was originally an old IHOP restaurant and it got turned into the Pie place instead of pancake. The food is similar to food you could find in your every day Denny's, or IHOP. But the reason people come to this restaurant is for the Pies.
They have a vast selection of pies going from cream, fruit, specialty, and meringue. They have other types of deserts but people wouldn't go to HOP for anything other than pies.
The service here isn't one to brag about. They were slow to come to your table but quick to bring out the pies. The environment isn't one to dress to impress to. It is your classical down to earth in a sense run down restaurant.
The pies also weren't as amazing as hoped. They came out cold but that might be since we didn't order the hot pies. But one would think that if you ordered a fruit pie it would be warm so that the ice cream would melt right on top. The chocolate cream pie tasted as though it was Jello pudding with a whip.
All in all HOP isn't as it seems. If you want a down to earth grungy pie house then HOP is the place for you, and if you are wanting high class Pie's then I am fresh out of ideas.
It's all about Bee's
Dreamworks keeps on trucking with their newest children's flick Bee Movie.
The movie starts with the traditional Dreamworks boy sitting on the moon and instead of him just sitting their a bee comes up and stings him off. Which leads to the movie progressing with bee's.
The movie progresses and the Bee, Barry, becomes your typical teenage boy. He wants to explore and not be tied down to one thing. He gets the chance to explore the outside world with the "pollen jocks". and while outside he meets a human and this is where the drama begins.
Barry goes through many challenges and triumphs through out this movie and keeps the typical Dreamworks cartoon comedy. While watching this movie it brought me back to when Shrek first came out the theaters.
I feel that Dreamworks has a great idea going on with their cartoon creatures and innu windows sprinkled in through out the film. Shrek I, II ,and III were all hits as well as Shark Tale. I think as long as they keep up the random creatures with great classic music these movies will keep attracting children as well as adults to their movies.
The movie starts with the traditional Dreamworks boy sitting on the moon and instead of him just sitting their a bee comes up and stings him off. Which leads to the movie progressing with bee's.
The movie progresses and the Bee, Barry, becomes your typical teenage boy. He wants to explore and not be tied down to one thing. He gets the chance to explore the outside world with the "pollen jocks". and while outside he meets a human and this is where the drama begins.
Barry goes through many challenges and triumphs through out this movie and keeps the typical Dreamworks cartoon comedy. While watching this movie it brought me back to when Shrek first came out the theaters.
I feel that Dreamworks has a great idea going on with their cartoon creatures and innu windows sprinkled in through out the film. Shrek I, II ,and III were all hits as well as Shark Tale. I think as long as they keep up the random creatures with great classic music these movies will keep attracting children as well as adults to their movies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)