Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lillie Neltner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lillie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

I have had so many ups and downs as an artist. One mistake that I have made over and over is underselling myself. I have sold detailed artwork for prices as low as $15, done week long projects for people for free, and have even taken jobs that I knew I was overqualified for, only to be underpaid. I didn’t start seeing success until I gained confidence in myself and my abilities.

The lowest I have felt in my career as an artist was three years ago. I moved to Florida with the hopes of finding a graphic design job. It took me two years to get hired by a company, only to be let go a week later. I head told these they were hiring a graphic design agency instead. I was devastated. I started to believe that I wasn’t as talented as I had thought. I bought an iPad around that time and started to play around with it! I was always inspired by the beautiful nature in Florida, so I started making coastal drawings. When I started posting them online, I gained a lot of supporters. Just when I was about to give up on graphic design, my pattern designs started to get noticed by many. I put my designs on Etsy and sold over 50 cases in one year! Then I started to get some attention on TikTok! Everyone started telling me to put my designs on bikinis, so I started talking to a manufacturer. I am excited to say that Frilly Lillies Bikinis will have its first launch in march of next year! I’m so thankful for my failures because it’s least to where I am now!

Lillie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Lillie Neltner, and I am a small business owner! Right now, I am selling phone cases and designing patterns for clothing and swimwear companies. My company is called @frillylilliesprints and my designs are mainly coastal inspired. I have always been interested in art! I studied fine arts in college, and have done everything from painting, to wood burning, to graphic design! My brand is fun and colorful and is designed to help women feel comfortable in their skin! I am doing my first swimwear launch in March of 2025, and I am so excited!! If you are a girly girl like me, you’ll love the ruffles, bows, and shells featured on my bathing suits!

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Right now, I am selling my phone cases on Etsy through printify! I have had a wonderful business with printify, and I recommend it to anyone who works full time, while also keeping up with a business! It is very easy because they ship and manufacture everything for you! All you have to do is come up with the designs to put on them! I also enjoy Etsy! It gives me an organized space to display all of my products.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I have always been active on social media! I enjoy keeping up with my friends and showing how beautiful life can be through photos and videos. I am an open book on my platforms! I like to be vulnerable with my audience and let them know that nobody’s life is perfect! I love getting to know people around the world and hearing inspiring stories about their lives! I hope my story inspires people to follow their dreams too, big or small!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://frillylillies.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frillylilliesprints/
• Other: Etsy: https://frillylillies.etsy.com/