Meet Lisa Gonzales | Creator of Custom Designs

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

Hi Lisa, how do you think about risk?
I feel like I took a risk in finally sharing photos of what I would create. I didn’t know how many people would like, love, or hate my work. I didn’t want to be embarrassed by not getting any feedback, but that was not the case at all. Taking a risk is what started this business. I gained confidence is accepting requests from family and friends to make them a custom shirt, cup, decals, or party decoration, and eventually I had complete strangers coming to me to place an order. I have had numerous random requests for designs that I have created from scratch that showed me my clients believe in my work to create their envision. Believing in my creative work was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

I started this business not knowing it would be as successful as it has been. Never did i think my hobby of creating things would become a business. I’ve always had this creative side to me, and I finally allowed myself to be confident enough to share my work with others. Growing up, I was always crafty and creative, but I never had the resources due to income. I would create pieces out of nothing and would improvise with what I had and did my best to make exactly what I wanted. And now I’ve taken that talent and use it for things my son wants made. He’s actually prefers for me to make his stuff, instead of going out finding what he wants. Growing up I was never given the birthday themed parties or decorations, so now that I have my son, I want him to grow up and have the life I didn’t have. He has been my inspiration to create themes that aren’t sold in stores, and have a unique exquisite creation of it, which is where Eski_Customs was created.

I have the habit of turning things into something so much more creative in my eyes. I am a Detective with the Houston Police Department and I am very tedious and detailed within my cases which is also known for in Eski_customs. There may be a nice cup I find, and immediately think of a design that would be perfect for it. That’s the biggest reason this business came about- having that desire to make things stand out and be custom in each design. I love having someone request items to have their baseball team, work company, or birthday party stand out more to show and represent.
• This business has taught me that not everyone is the biggest supporter of small businesses. There’s people who think since you are a small business, you should charge almost nothing for what they ask for. I truly appreciate those who do not question my pricing for their order. I do my best to make exactly what they envisioned, so I appreciate when they appreciate me. I have always remained humble in my pricing, and I have allowed myself to respect my worth when it comes to the hard work I put into each design. Supporting small businesses contributes to so much more, whether it be gas to make deliveries, or to my son’s future baseball career. Many want and request items straight from the shelf, but when its custom requests, this entails of being created from scratch, and to me, everything is better handmade with love, care, and detail.
• I’m very inspired by small businesses who have been successful in their work. I understand that not every business can make it. While I did not intend for my business to be running like it has been, I am very pleased where it is at right now, and I’m excited to keep it going for as long as possible. I have seen my work be displayed at events, business promotions, even strangers that walk by wearing my shirt or hoodie, and they have no idea I am the creator of what they are wearing. I am also very supportive of many small businesses and would rather purchase from others as I can see their heart gets put into their work as well. I understand I cannot always create everything requested, and when that happens, I always inform the client of other small businesses that I can entrust in.
• Balancing my career and business can be a struggle. I work full time as a Detective, so when I get off, I have mom duties, baseball mom duties, and I don’t have much free time, but when I do- it’s almost always spent fulfilling orders. I am big on giving my all to my customers, but I also have a son that needs his mom every day and night. He is very understanding of both my job duties, and has always been a big supporter to me and Eski_Customs. When he sees me creating, he always says how awesome it looks and even sometimes requests me to make him one as well. I was able to create Eski_Customs thanks to my significant other that gifted me with many of the tools I use today. He saw and believed in me to have my creations grow and flourish in which Eski_Customs has continued to do so till today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Detective for the Houston Police Department. I have a strong heart and devotion for my position and the cases I work for the Crimes Against Children’s Unit. I work endlessly to give the children a voice they never thought they had when it comes to justice. I entered the department as a single mother, and strived daily to accomplish my goals of where I am at today. I am a very protective mother and with what I see in my line of duty, I want to protect my son in every way I can, so that he would never have to encounter the danger I have seen. As stressful this job is, I found my passion in venting out my stress into crafting. I see, read, hear, and speak to many of the worlds evil, and find myself of letting out that stress built up, to beautiful creations.

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?
If my best friend was visiting the area, I would take her on a beach trip! We don’t get out often due to our busy work life and mom life, but at the end of the day, we deserve to have our own time of fun and relaxation. I would have a girls day of getting spa, massages, makeup and hair done to where we would site see the beach and fun! Eski_Customs was actually created and thought of when I was on my 30th birthday trip to Florida with my significant other. He brought my birthday gift to our beach trip with him, and surprised me with Champaign and showed me how much he believed in my creations and gifted me with my machine to help my creations come to life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Cousin Michelle. She has a heart of gold and has been supportive and proud of my continuous work. She has seen me grow up fast into a single mother and has always been proud of my continued accomplishments.

My son has been very understanding of both my job duties, and has always been a big supporter to me and Eski_Customs. When he sees me creating, he always says how awesome it looks and even sometimes requests me to make him one as well. Every year for his birthday, it has always been a theme that is not sold in stores, but he never hesitates to ask since he knows i can create it from scratch. I was able to create Eski_Customs thanks to my significant other that gifted me with many of the tools I use today. He saw and believed in me to have my creations grow and flourish in which Eski_Customs has continued to do so till today.

Instagram: @Eski_Customs

Facebook: Eski_Customs

Image Credits
Lauren White. Rogue Aesthetic Photography