Estelle Lucas - Designer
Colorful, eco-friendly and unique. These describe perfectly Good Mood Corner’s creations, as well as its talented founder, Estelle Lucas!
How did you come to what you do?
I studied textile design in Paris. After my studies, I volunteered for an Education NGO in the Philippines... and ended up working eight years in Asia and Africa! With my husband, we resettled in France three years ago, and last year, I gave birth to my first child.
I had this idea of creating textiles for the home at the back of my head for a while, but becoming a mother increased the need to create and start my own business. Since the beginning I wanted to have a social impact, and have strong ethics embedded in my work. For example, I work only with natural fabrics (organic cotton and linen etc.) and for each article purchased, I donate €1 to an NGO that promotes girls' Education in Southeast Asia.
What is the most exciting part of your job?
The process of creation, like selecting the fabric, drawing and cutting the pattern, sewing a prototype that I’ll discuss with a friend of mine over coffee, really is the most exciting part. I am free to do whatever I want but I have to think about what customers desire and what details they will enjoy.
I am also very excited when a new order is placed on my website, I have to pack the articles -with a lot of love! - and prepare the shipment.
What challenges do you usually encounter?
I just started my activity, so I need to develop my visibility and get people to know me. The current sanitary context does not help, but I get involved in art fairs and I sold on food markets and in organic stores to meet my customers and develop sales.
Besides, I’m doing all the work alone, and my baby boy is just one years old. Being a mother of a young child as well as an entrepreneur is very challenging!
What is your typical day like?
I start my day with a hot shower and a good coffee, then I bring my son to the nursery and start working. Actually, my days are very different from one another. I spend about half of my time creating and sewing my home accessories, which is the heart of my job. Besides that, I spend a lot of time shooting my creations, preparing orders, communicating on social networks, doing accounting and administration... I have to multitask and actually be good at all of these aspects of the business! Last but not least, I always try to fit a 30-minute yoga session in my day to stay balanced.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Nomadic at heart, we try to get out as much as we can on weekends. Given that right now travelling is limited, we spend a lot of time cooking. Mostly French, but also Indian or Thai food, as we love spicy cuisines. Reading is also a way to escape while staying at home...
What’s your go to track album at the moment ?
I like working while listening to peaceful music by artists such as Norah Jones, or Fatoumata Diawari.
