Brand of the month: Vanilla Mayonnaise

Meet Carmen-Lee, the visionary founder behind Vanilla Mayonnaise. Originally from Hong Kong, Carmen-Lee's journey has taken her across continents. As a theater artist, her creativity knows no bounds. Now residing in the Netherlands, Carmen-Lee is dedicated to crafting stunning earrings that reflect light in extraordinary ways.

 

1. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and how you started your brand?

I am Carmen-Lee, and I come from Hong Kong. I have lived in the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Canada. I am a theater artist, and I perform all around the world with my husband. My creative mind is always active. In one of the markets I used to visit, I saw someone using materials that I use for setting up my performances to make earrings. For three years, I had this idea of doing the same, but it wasn't until I moved to the Netherlands—where I couldn't work for two years because of my visa restrictions—that I started designing my earrings. I love acrylic as a material because light can pass through it, and I love the shade and reflection it produces.

2. Could you share a bit about the journey and challenges you've faced as a small business owner?

We are always multitasking, doing different things like pet sitting, planning our performances, and more. In the Netherlands, there's not much support, and markets can be quite expensive. Managing photos, social media, and everything else can be overwhelming.

3. Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?

Sometimes I go with intuition. I also do a lot of research from paintings, architecture, and other artistic sources. I draw my ideas, try different colors, and incorporate elements I love, like dogs.

4. Can you tell us about a memorable moment or achievement in your business journey? What makes you feel you are on the right path?

Every time someone shows that they like my work, it means the world to me. When a customer buys my work, or shows appreciation for my pieces, that makes me feel very grateful.

5. Why did you decide to join the Closet platform, and what do you hope to achieve by being part of it?

I like the idea of supporting local products. Additionally, I hope the exposure from the platform will help me lower the stress of constantly promoting my earrings.

6. What are your goals for your brand in the next few years?

I want to challenge myself to design more out-of-the-box ideas for earrings. I aim to sell my products in different stores and collaborate with other brands in cross-branding initiatives.

7. What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone looking to start their own small business?

Don't overthink it; just start and see how it goes. If people like what you create, they will come to you. You might always feel unprepared, so having the courage to take the leap is crucial. 

Also, It's super important to have friends who are going through similar experiences; supporting and encouraging each other is definitely helpful.

 

Thank you for sharing your journey with us!