My Brilliant Career: Nicole Valeri Designs At 24, Nicole has been running her own company for a year and a half, turning purses and clothing into works of art. She tells Twixt what it's like to run her very own company… Tell me a little about your background as a designer and entrepreneur. I always knew I wanted to be in fashion and ever since I was a young child I would sketch things fashion related. I am a firm believer that those repetitive things you do when you're younger come back later. Anyways, I attended a liberal arts HS where I took as many art classes as I could munster. When it came time for college, I wanted to go to Columbia (an art/design city school in Chicago) but my parents had other plans. They said art was silly and I needed something more "stable" so I attended Bradley University in S. Illinois. There I chose graphic design as my major but still knew I wanted to do fashion. The department there was so small and the art programs were not inspiring at all. I finally talked my parents into transferring schools. I arrived at Columbia College my junior year, a little late I suppose but I finished my education there with my BFA In graphic design. I knew I didn't want a corporate job. I didn't want to sit in an office all day doing something just because I was told to do it. So I started taking up gigs here and there for free. At first I tried styling and realized there was NO way I was going to make money doing that. The one print you see on my handbags was actually a design I did for a nightclub. The owner last minute decided she wasn't going to use it or pay me for it. Out of frustration partially and also because I liked the design itself I started incorporating it onto shirts. When I realized the market was over saturated with that I then thought, why not purses? So NV began. What are the highlights and low lights of heading up your own company? Highlights - definitely having people tell you they like your work and they like your designs. It's so hard for me not to get personally attached to my designs especially after you put all your blood, sweat and tears into something. It's almost impossible. Highlights also include networking and getting to work and meet so many other talented people in the industry. Low lights - not having much money to support your dream, buying leather straps for your bags instead of buying yourself a nice pair of jeans! Low-lights also include people trying to take advantage of you because you are young and you are a woman. It's okay though; you can't have the ups without the downs! What are your short term and long term plans for the company? Short term goals are getting my production plan in tact and getting some great photos of my new bags to include in press kits. Long term goals are having a special line being sold at high-end boutiques and also having another line being sold at SAKS and/or Macy's. Also, creating a company that will be able to provide other people with work, jobs and money. Is this what you envisioned yourself doing at your age? Not at all! Nothing in my life has ever gone as planned. Sometimes I think I should just give up and be a school teacher, at least that's stable . . . Just kidding! Are you happy with the way your business is progressing? You know something? Yes I am. Initially I began this journey thinking things were going to happen a lot sooner than I had anticipated. Very early on I got discouraged. I've finally realized that good, stable things take time to build. I am trying to enjoy the progression and just sit back and enjoy the ride. Do you think you work hard? I KNOW I work hard. If I don't work at achieving my dream no one else is going to do it for me. I don't have the luxury of just sitting back and waiting for things to happen. All the things in my life that have happened I have made happen. What is "success" for you? Do you consider yourself "successful"? Success to me is doing whatever you love well. By my definition, I am successful. Although I am VERY critical of myself, but who isn't? You can view Nicole's entire collection at www.nicolevaleri.com