We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leanna Mazzeffe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leanna below.

Leanna, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Entrepreneurship runs deep in my family – I have been lucky enough to grow up around barbers/hairstylists, relators, bakers, grocers… you name it! With much inspiration to become a self-starter, I began creating and selling embroidered and screen printed merchandise nine years ago, when I was just 17, but 3+ years ago decided to make my business official and named it, “Mazzeffe’s,” after my Italian family name. It’s definitely not the easiest name to pronounce, so I often include the phonetical spelling of our last name on business cards, across my website, and of course in my social media bios: (muh – zef – ee’s).

I want to represent my family with honor and wish for Mazzeffe’s to leave a lasting impression on those that I interact with. Therefore, I try my best to integrate the motto “work hard and be nice” throughout my day to day work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Mazzeffe’s is known for making all customized apparel dreams come to life! Services range from custom embroidery, screen printing, and heat printing for organizations, events, businesses, bridal parties, clothing brands, and just about anyone who is looking for the service.

Mazzeffe’s offers everything from t-shirts, to sweatshirts, to hats, to drink sleeves, and much more. I also often accept personal items from clients who want something special stitched into item, like a handkerchief or pajamas for a wedding day. I enjoy working with each and every customer to take their ideas from a virtual design to a real life product that they fall in love with.

Aside from customized merchandise, each year I love to pay respect to my hometown – Kansas City, Missouri. Right before each Kansas City Chiefs season begins, I drop a handful of new and funky designs for all of my fellow Chiefs fans to rep for the season. Year after year, this is one of my favorite projects! Seeing strangers across Kansas City wearing my designs is such an honor!

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

Two words = Social Media

Over the years, nearly 90% of Mazzeffe’s sales and new business has been driven by social media! Social media has allowed me to show the services I offer in a creative way. I enjoy posting the creation process from start to finish with behind the scenes videos, pictures and my favorite… Instagram stories. Social media also allows me to link followers directly to products so they can easily purchase online. Additionally, I utilize social media to connect with customers directly within the platform to quickly get started on their custom orders. While working on custom orders, I often tag the customer on Instagram so they can share their items with their followers – this helps create brand exposure for Mazzeffe’s and gain more clients!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I feel as if I am often put into situations where my resilience is challenged and my time management skills are tested. Though Mazzeffe’s is a big passion of mine, I also work full-time in pharmaceutical advertising, film weddings on a handful of weekends throughout the year, and am working to complete my MBA in Marketing – graduating this December (yay!). So, you could say I am a pretty busy person…

But I truly believe when someone is given more responsibility or pushed to do something they’ve never done before, their resilience shines through in the most positive way. This way of thinking often translates into my work for Mazzeffe’s. I am often looking for different ways to succeed and grow from all of the experiences I have encountered personally and professionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mazzeffes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mazzeffes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mazzeffes/

Image Credits
Photo KC