Layla Grayce {$200 Gift Certificate} and {Exclusive Interview With Wendy}

As you all may know by now, Layla Grayce is my favorite online shop {oh, and I love their blog, too}.

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I believe that they offer a brilliant sense of style, and offer one of the most beautiful, relaxing shopping experiences. On top of that, they are absolutely incredible to work with--genuine and warm.

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 I am *beyond thrilled* to have been given the extraordinary opportunity of interviewing the amazing Wendy Estes of Layla Grayce.

{photo by Trish Reda Photography}

And if that isn't great enough, you have the chance to win a $200 gift certificate to Layla Grayce!

                                             

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It is with great pleasure that I share with you a spectacular interview with Wendy Estes, yes, THE WENDY of Layla Grayce, offering you insight, advice and a great read!

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{Question} Tell us a brief background of how you started Layla Grayce, how it has grown to where it is now, and your inspiration for opening shop!


{Answer} We were inspired to start Layla Grayce in 2004 when children’s and home furnishings were somewhat limited online outside of the traditional large-scale retailers who were also growing their online presence.

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 We knew there was a niche to be filled for well-designed products online focused on home and children’s decor.

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We’re shoppers too and with business and design backgrounds, the ultimate store we wanted to shop didn’t exist so we got to work!

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We feel blessed with the best customers and incredible vendors whom we get to work with daily.

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We’ve grown Layla Grayce through years of hard work and complete commitment, also in being persistent & consistent.

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We’re totally aware there are more talented people who have more resources and perhaps more knowledge than us and the only difference may be our commitment to diving in and getting things done.

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We have a strong return customer base we attribute to our customer service/ design department. Our employees, marketing and making connections with customers in a relatable way through social media has grown Layla Grayce over the past 1-2 years. 

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We say to our team, put yourself in the mind of the consumer. What do they want, how would you feel, where do you like to shop online and why?

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This keeps customer service issues & our customer’s experience shopping at our store in perspective.

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{Question} You offer such a spectacular array of what appears to be very carefully selected products and brands for Layla Grayce...what is important to you when choosing the products that you offer in your online store?

{Answer} An antique finish, nubby texture or a product that tells a story is what will initially draw us in, but our number one rule is that it must blend with the products we currently offer.

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With so many products on the market, we don’t allow ourselves to get caught up in something ultra trendy. Our customers look to us to provide timeless items that in some cases will become heirlooms and it is no secret that many of the products we offer are not inexpensive.

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We look for products made in the US or Europe and they cost more to us and hence the customer, but we feel better about selling them and we think our customers feel better about buying them too.

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{Question} As you know Layla Grayce is my personal favorite online store. I find the brand to be refined, sophisticated, classic, yet comfortable, chic and incredibly stylish. What are your goals in terms of the experiences and impressions your customers have of shopping with Layla Grayce?

{Answer} Your work itself is an inspiration. We’re honored to be considered one of your favorite sites, thank you Kate.   Each item we sell, and every customer we work with, we treat like our best friend that we are sharing our favorite finds with.

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Layla Grayce is about a lifestyle that we are all searching for; to create a place where we all “love our life, and express our style.” Our tag line isn’t just words, we live it and share it through our practices and multi channel outreach with our customers, through our blog on our website and in social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

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{Question} How have you personally balanced running a successful business and having a family? What advice might you be able to offer from your personal experience?

{Answer}  Advice would be to keep things efficient by allowing others to help, don’t be afraid to let go by hiring people to handle the smaller tasks. Do what you do best. Stay focused on your creative side and allow others to do the busy work that anyone can really manage.

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Recently we ate lunch w/ the ladies from Petunia Pickle Bottom who have been in business a few years ahead of Layla Grayce. We asked them how they were able to let go in order to achieve more of a work/life balance? They said realizing that almost anything that goes wrong in the hands of employees can be fixed, well almost anything. Good point!

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{Question}  Hard question, but do you have any personal favorite products of the day (as I am sure it changes constantly and you love all you offer) in your shop right now?

1. Pine Cone Hill sheeting. It’s crisp yet soft, washes well and these in particular add texture when folded over the top of your duvet/ quilt.

2. This Petite Hanna Chair from Oly Studio is a classic style scaled down for kids. Well-suited for a sophisticated nursery or in a smaller space that serves as a living room/family room where a purple Dora the Explorer chair just won’t do.

3. These earrings have a chameleon-like characteristic. I wear these with brown, grey, olive greens and black and they seem to work with almost any color I thrown on. Love!

{Question}  Would love to get to know you a little better!

                                   {photo by Trish Reda Photography}

 What is your favorite vacation destination?

 I’ll say Newport Beach, California. I’m a southern California girl at heart, switching coasts moving to Georgia just over 4 years ago (and love). Along with my parents, brothers and their kids we gather in the Newport Beach area each summer so it’s a place I look forward to visiting.

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Must-read blogs and websites

Picky-Palate

Projectnursery

LonnyMag.com

Hostess with The Mostess

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Favorite Holiday

4th of July for the barbeque, warm summer evening, fireworks, friends, family, independence, freedom.

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{Question} How important has social media been to Layla Grayce? Any advice for women considering joining twitter, facebook or other outlets to promote their brand or product?

{Answer} Social Media has been instrumental in our growth over the past 1-2 years. Every business should have an presence in Facebook and Twitter sharing relevant content with an authentic voice, “socializing” with your customers/ fans/ followers. Having real conversations with them in an informal way makes you relatable, therefore connecting them to your brand.

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{Question}  What products have been popular tried and true hostess gifts from Layla Grayce? Do you have a go-to item that you use for all the parties you will be attending this year?

1. I do try to gift personalized items as it tells your recipient you took the time to consider them. Another Clairebella item we love as a go-to hostess gift item is the cutting board.

2. I recently gave several of these to a friend who is eco-conscious, taking re-usable shopping bags to the grocery store or local farmer’s market. Petunia Pickle Bottom has created a shopper tote that is affordable & designed in snappy, colorful prints. Best part is they fold up almost in to like a clutch style and close so they are extremely compact.

3. I keep a stash of aprons stacked in my gift closet, always a solid hostess gift.

Wow! I am just beyond honored to have been blessed with the opportunity to share this exclusive interview with Wendy of Layla Grayce with you! 

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A HUGE thank you to Wendy for taking the time to share with us so much wonderful insight and a glimpse into your life and the world of Layla Grayce!

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It brings me enormous pleasure to announce that the fabulous Tiffany and Wendy are offering one very, very lucky winner a $200US gift certificate to Layla Grayce!

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment on this post telling us how you would use the gift certificate if you won.

For SIX ADDITIONAL ENTRIES....

1. Become a fan of Layla Grayce, and leave us a second comment here letting us know! (be sure to tell us what your facebook name is). You will automatically be awarded THREE additional entries for this!

2. Become a fan of Kate Landers Events, LLC, and leave us a third comment here letting us know! (be sure to tell us what your facebook name is). You will automatically be awarded THREE additional entries for this!

Giveaway open to US Residents 18 years of age and older. All entries must be received by 12:00 Noon PST on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010.

GOOD LUCK!