Major: Fashion Merchandising
Minor: Communication Arts
Hometown: Telford, Pennsylvania
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Does your name have any special meaning? Were you named after anyone?
“I was named after my Great Grandmother’s sister. She suggested Elise to my parents while in the hospital and my parents loved it and the meaning behind it and here I am!”
So you have a small business, Painting for a Difference, can you tell me more about it?
“Sure! I started the business when I was 17 as a way of fundraising to go to Guatemala to volunteer. Painting For a Difference creates custom paintings specializing in painting custom shoes and donates a portion of the profits to a non-profit organization in Guatemala called Hug It Forward. HIF builds schools out of plastic bottles and garbage (eco-bricks) in rural villages in Guatemala. I ended up funding not just one but multiple trips to Guatemala and continued getting shoe orders so I decided to turn it a company, and I have painted hundreds of shoes since. I am currently working on expanding my business and creating a fair-trade shoe brand- sourcing handmade shoes made from artisans in Guatemala instead of using Keds, Vans, converse ect.. It’s a work in progress, but it’s coming along!”
What is your favorite subject to paint?
“Good question! When I have downtime to paint what I want, the subject really depends on my mood. I really like to mix abstract with realism. I like to paint real objects, but a twist to them, like using crazy non-traditional colors or using very hazy brush strokes to add some imagination to the piece.”
I also know you did some work in Haiti! Would you encourage others to go there?
“Yes! I always encourage people to travel and go out of their comfort zones. This past summer was the first time I went to Haiti, and it was different from expected but it was amazing! The culture there is so beautiful and the people are the most genuine people you will meet. The team I went with did community development and medical work. I spent a lot of time with the villagers and felt so welcomed and loved. I traveled there with a company based out of Massachusetts called YourStory International. If anyone is interested in going to Haiti I always tell him or her about YSI, it is a trip you will never forget!”
What is your favorite place you have traveled to?
“Guatemala, I fell in love with the country the first time I went when I was 17. I am 21 now and have traveled there more times I have anywhere else. I felt an immediate connection to the people and the Guatemalan culture, which is why my company gives back to the communities there. I am more than excited to go back for a month this summer!”
Do you have any other fun hobbies you want to tell us about?
“Hm. I do not have much downtime to do anything else. Working two jobs, while progressing my company and a full time student I do not have much time to do other activities. However I do like being physically active! I try to wake up extra early every day to get a workout in; it helps me stay on task throughout the day and keeps me healthy.”
What is your favorite food?
“It is definitely a toss up between ice cream and pizza. I would be eating them all day if they weren’t so bad for you!”
Do you have any plans or goals for after graduation?
“By the time I graduate I hope I will already have my first run of shoes ready for the market. I will be getting ready to get the second “batch” of shoes shipped from Guatemala, printed, and processed ready for being sold in the market! I want to help as many people as I can as I create my shoe brand.”
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Head to Elise’s website to check out more of her amazing work!