Today we’d like to introduce you to Ela Czupta.
Ela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Seven years ago, the seed was planted, but STOP, rewind and let’s look back. A college graduate with a degree in broadcast journalism. The plan was a career in broadcasting- news anchor, journalist or reporter. An out of state job offer made my heart drop. Chicago was my home and my family. I needed both to thrive. With this realization, I knew I had to let this opportunity go.
I decided to revise my resume and take my degree in a slightly different direction- fashion journalism. Having the only broadcast related experiences on my resume, I needed to incorporate my writing skills while simultaneously sharing my sense of style. My mom was my source of inspiration and fashion was embedded into my soul at a young age. I knew this without even knowing it.
Inspiration drew from life; books, magazines, travel, celebrities and culture. Soon, I discovered a revelation- the world of blogging. Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast was my go-to inspo. While scrolling through her feed, I had a light bulb moment – I CAN DO THIS. I took my brother’s camera and decided to blog about me. In blogging, I can showcase my writing and my style, which would be a great addition to my resume.
Weeks of endless brainstorming I came up with Generation Bliss for my blog name. It was this generation, an era of people at this moment in pure bliss– a place to find beautiful imagery, a space with constant inspiration. My generation was bliss. From that moment, Generation Bliss came to life. It was a creative outlet that took over everything inside me. I felt so happy, so free, so proud, sharing my styles and blurbs. I also knew this was the start of so much more. It felt so right. I became determined. A year later, I turned my blog, Generation Bliss, into an online shop.
Out of a spare room, I stored inventory and created the website. My sister and my brothers were my online models. I shot photos of them in my fashions and created my own Internet shopping haven. I launched www.generationbliss.com in June 2012. But it didn’t stop there… our home became a “revolving door”. Family and friends would come over to shop, then friends of friends and later Internet friends. It was getting chaotic. I began to explore the notion of opening a physical location that would give my customers a full shopping experience. And here I am!
Generation Bliss boutique celebrated its five year anniversary February 2018.
In October 2015, I launched elamariie.com to keep my original passion for sharing style inspirations, must have fashion essentials, and travel adventures as a personal diary. I am lucky to say that my career is a part of who I am and what I am most passionate about. My career is fashion, fashion is my life and this is something I love to share with my followers, my customers and my friends.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As any startup, business owner, entrepreneur, there are lots of obstacles and challenges you face. My advice is to keep the hustle no matter what! Learn from your mistakes and grow. Believe in yourself; believe in your dream – put it out into the universe and work hard. You can do, create, whatever you set your mind to!
And no matter what, it’s extremely important to be true to who you are and really enjoy what you do. Sometimes, this can be difficult to discern, but once you discover something you’re passionate about and turn it into a career, that’s when you know you’ve truly accomplished something special.
Once your dreams are revealed, it’s crucial to be persistent. I believe persistence is an essential attribute of success. Continuing in the momentum and pushing forward each day with greater confidence can bring greatness. Even when times are tough, knowing your goals and being determined will conquer the rest.
Please tell us about Generation Bliss, ElaMariie.com.
Aside from running everything Generation Bliss, blogging on elamariie.com and traveling, I work as a stylist at the boutique! I always want my customer to feel they can get the most out of their purchase- I show them many ways to style one item so it serves multiple functions.
It is very important, to be honest with your customers. You need to know how to dress each body type and ways to alter or adjust a certain detail to make them look exquisite… you are selling who you are, what you represent, so it’s important that the customer represents your name well. It’s important to be on top of trends but also to really know your basics, and finally your classics. Once you’ve mastered those three, in combination with fantastic accessories, success!
My customers are my #1. They are truly the heart of the business. I treat my clients like my friends with honesty, integrity and respect.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Often times, women are judged merely by face value. This happens more so in the fashion industry. They are not given credit for their intelligence, ambition and commitment. Ironically, behind the pretty face or fashionably dressed “girl” is a strong woman with views, opinions and drive that could ultimately reform the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.generationbliss.com/www.elamariie.com
- Instagram: @generationbliss/@elamariie
- Facebook: Generation Bliss
Image Credit:
Ali Stone, Allison Cooling, Roxy Yang, Luis Carrillo
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
