We recently connected with Leslie Swenson and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, appreciate you joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

Being a business owner is an incredible journey! I love being able to use my creativity, have independence, and see the reward of my hard work come to life. However, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. After spending five years building my business to exactly where I wanted it, I faced a major setback when I moved to a new state and had to start over from scratch. It’s been a struggle to rebuild my brand and connect with a new audience, but the experience has taught me resilience and the importance of adaptability. Despite the obstacles, the passion that drove me to start my business keeps me moving forward, reminding me that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.

Leslie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Leslie Swenson, and I’m the proud owner of Lester Lou’s Designs. I specialize in custom gifts, but the heart and soul of my business lies in my etched glassware. While I can personalize just about anything, there’s something truly special about a set of beautifully customized glasses that adds a touch of elegance and personality to your home.

Lester Lou’s Designs began from a personal need—finding the perfect gift. I’ve always taken pride in giving meaningful, thoughtful gifts, but I often found myself spending too much time and money searching for the right item and figuring out how to get it personalized. One day, I realized, Why not do this myself? That spark led me to create unique, affordable, and heartfelt gifts that anyone can give to their loved ones.

I’m incredibly proud to have stayed true to my core products while growing and evolving along the way. Each lesson I’ve learned has inspired me to expand my offerings and design new items that perfectly complement everything in my shop.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The biggest factor in building my reputation was simply putting myself out there, meeting locals, and being visible in the community. I started attending local trade shows, volunteering my products and time for large events and fundraisers, and even getting involved at my kids’ school. These opportunities allowed me to connect with others, form meaningful relationships, and establish a presence in the community. This way, when my name or brand came up, people not only recognized it but also associated it with a friendly face and a genuine commitment to quality and connection.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Never giving up is key! There are times when it feels incredibly frustrating to put in effort after effort without seeing immediate results. But one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the work you’re putting in now—whether it’s reaching out to clients, building connections, or growing your presence—will pay off in six months’ time. Success takes persistence, and you have to keep pushing forward, continuing to reach out and nurturing those relationships. It’s all about staying consistent and trusting the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lesterlous.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lesterlousdesigns
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lesterlousdesigns