We were lucky to catch up with Liz Gordon recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Liz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Success is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has a slightly different definition, so as far as I’m concerned there is no definitive answer. For me, success looks like financial stability. For myself, the team, and the business. Success looks like confidence in my ability and the things I’m putting into the world. More importantly, just being happy and enjoying life.
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?
LFDE By SDE is a black- women-owned and operated lifestyle brand that celebrates fearlessness, and positivity packaged in streetwear. We sell hoodies, t-shirts, hats, and stickers. It was a passion project for myself and my business partner Andrea. As a fan, of graphic T-shirts, I always wanted to make some for myself.
But LFDE By SDE is so much more! It came out of our love of anime, urban lifestyle, and other aspects of nerd culture. And as an extension, of our community efforts and documentation of nerd space across the new york tri-state area. We wanted to make something for ourselves and, more importantly, our people in the nerd community.
About LFDE By SDE:
We (nerds) come in all shapes and sizes. Availability in that department was a top priority.
Size: xs – 5xl
It was also very intentional for us to be gender-neutral. So everyone can wear our products! I am extremely proud of standing ten toes down on these concepts without compromising and I know Andrea is too. I hope that this is the thing that sets us apart from our peers.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
My business partner’s name is Andrea. We meet in high school and have been friends ever since. If I recall correctly, I think we had gym class together and she sat there looking very uncomfortable. I just started talking to her and she eventually opened up!
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
Our business is strictly online. Hosted on our website: www.lfdebysde.com
Pros: We wanted to own the relationship with our clients and self-hosting is the best way to do so.
Cons: lack of searchable marketplace and driving traffic is strictly based on our efforts to gain visibility, so it definitely makes it harder.
We’ve used Etsy in the past and weren’t successful at it. But maybe sometime in the near future, we’ll try again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lfdebysde.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfdebysde/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LFDE-By-SDE/100063788400260/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARR-AiZGCXSkJKmvxmTUSX3pkmpNC5xy50LJkut2D-iixx36NNmfiNuueQbAfZess_Q
Image Credits
All credits belong to me!