Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Torok.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am German and moved to San Diego with my husband in September 2010.
I studied Translation Studies and Linguistics at the Humboldt University of Berlin and worked as a subtitler for more than 15 years translating movies, documentaries, and TV series. When Netflix and other big companies took over the industry, prices dumped and, eventually, it was impossible to make a living as a freelancer in the field. It reached a point where it turned into more of a hobby and it was depressing to not get any recognition and appreciation for what I was doing.
I’ve always been interested in art and loved creating things, so I decided to focus on my creative side and start a new career where I could be my own boss and be responsible for my own success. I was lucky enough to not have to worry about money and to have a very supportive husband at my side.
In 2016, I started taking classes at San Diego Continuing Education and completed their Certificate Programs Interactive Media and Front-End Web Development I & II over the course of three years. Two of my projects, a poster design, and a music video, were showcased at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar and both won Best in Class. It was my first personal success story and it motivated me to keep going down my new chosen path.
I went on to explore and build more skills and attended workshops like Screenprinting and Jewelry Making. I also took SDCE’s Small Business Planning course, where I learned about how to properly start a business.
Soon after, the pandemic hit.
I typically travel several times a year and have visitors from Europe for weeks at a time. Being stuck at home with no visitors and no distractions enabled me to focus on doing all the things it takes to turn a dream into a reality. I secured permits, worked on my branding, created a signature line of California-inspired leather bracelets, developed my first online store, and designed my very first postcards – which was one of my goals from the very first day I started the Interactive Media Certificate Program.
In 2021, I took my creations to a few holiday markets and apparently got some notice. Just six months later, I am absolutely thrilled to be invited as a first-time vendor to the 2022 Makers Arcade Summer Fair, which will be happening at the Broadway Pier in San Diego on June 25 and 26.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Having moved to San Diego from abroad, one of my main struggles has been building a social network from scratch. I came here without a community I could lean on for advice and support. Plus, I’m not very comfortable networking for business. Over the years, I’ve made some wonderful friends and built a small community in Pacific Beach and throughout San Diego, but even now I don’t have a lot of friends on Facebook or Instagram followers. I’m working on that.
Another challenge I am facing at this stage of my business development is finding and getting into the right shows, pop-ups, and farmer’s markets so I can reach the right audience for my products.
All in all, it has been a slow start, and it takes a lot of patience, confidence, and self-motivation. I have to keep pushing and believing in myself when I don’t sell enough on a market to cover the fee, and not get discouraged that I’ve only gotten orders from friends since launching my website in March. I have to keep trusting that there are people out there who will enjoy my creations as much as I enjoy making them. I just have to find them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I sell leather jewelry and leather accessories, greeting cards, postcards, wall art – really anything I’m inspired to bring into being. My goal is to create unique, beautiful gifts and keepsakes that remind customers of a memorable moment or experience.
At its core, my work is all about making people happy. For me personally, it’s the small things in life that make me happy. Something as small as a postcard can put a smile on someone’s face at the other end of the world (and I believe an Instagram post cannot do the same). And it will have this effect again and again over a long time. That’s where the value is.
As John Ruskin put it, “Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless.”
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My most important mentor, teacher, and motivator has been Starla Cortopassi, the owner of Kiss a Cow Studios. I took screen printing workshops with her at her studio at Art on 30th in North Park. It was a very inspiring environment. She taught me great skills and had invaluable advice on starting out as a small business owner. She has since relocated her studio to Spokane, WA, but her influence remains.
My biggest cheerleaders have been my family, my friends, and my husband. They’ve always motivated, encouraged, and supported me to pursue a new career.
Pricing:
- Leather Jewelry $ 15.00 – $60.00
- Leather Accessories $ 5.00 – $15.00
- Postcards, Cards $ 1.50 – $4.50
- Wall Art $ 20.00 – $100.00
Contact Info:
- Email: steph@aluacreations.com
- Website: https://aluacreations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aluacreations/
Image Credits
Kathy Fuller
Zlatan Prste
Stephanie Torok
