We had the good fortune of connecting with Elise DeSalvo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elise, do you have a budget?
Budget- ehhh not my strong suit but I try to purchase supplies when I have a lot of orders rolling in versus when I have lulls. Luckily since I built a studio for my workspace it’s mostly paid off (other than our last addition the deck!) so my overhead is a lot lower than it used to be which makes it easier to budget for business expenses!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m Elise- a fashion designer and owner of Elise Marie DeSigns. I’ve always been a creative soul and post graduating college with a fashion, merchandising and design degree in 2012 I relocated from Rhode Island to Portland, Maine and officially started my small business. It took a few years of odd job-ing while growing my business to go full time! I specialize in Crystal and gemstone jewelry and home decor as well as tie dye loungewear. I am most proud of not giving up on my dreams even though it has been far from easy. I’ve sacrificed a lot of time, social events, sleep, and money to continue to grow my business. I think how I pushed through hard times was knowing I wasn’t made for a normal 9-5 and that I wanted to be more in control of my life and schedule. Lessons along the way – don’t give up! I would want the world to know that I am very invested in slow fashion and supporting local!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Windham, ME right inbetween Portland, ME and Sebago Lake in Casco!

Places to see in the Casco area: Sebago Lake State Park, Tassle Top Beach and grab food from Good Life Market and Binga’s Windham. Walk the Mountain Division Trail and float on the Presompscot River.

Places to see in/close to Portland, ME: Walk the Back Bay blvd, hang at the Eastern Promenade and grab food truck food. Check out Mackworth Island for a walk. Grab drinks at North Point. Eat at Crispy Gai. Dessert at Gross Confection Bar. Shop on Commercial Street/Exchange Street.

Day trip or overnight to Chebeague Island!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to give a shoutout to my husband, Curtis! We have been together almost 10 years now- and I’m pretty sure if my memory serves me correct on of our first times getting out of Maine on a trip together was him helping me set-up and do a trade show with me! He has built literally every single on of my wooden displays and has made every booth and store setup that I can dream up. On top of building amazing things, he has been utterly supportive- some partners might not be on board with the whole artist, rollercoaster dream…but he has supported me 100% of the way. When the peak of Covid happened aka March 2020- I had a brick in mortar shop at the time in Portland, ME. I was sick with anxiety of what to do with having to be closed, having a 5 month old and not knowing if I would just be paying rent and having that $ just be going to nothing! He said “let’s build your dream studio.” He literally built me a beautiful studio that we designed together from the ground up…so MVP goes to Curtis!

Website: https://elisemariedesigns.com

Instagram: @elisemariedesigns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliseMarieDeSigns

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