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Interview with AnaLiza of fibi and clo

Today’s interview is with a woman who is pursuing what I think is probably a dream for many of us – her own shoe and accessories company, complete with online boutique and innovative business model. AnaLiza started fibi & clo in 2009 – a company making truly unique sandals and accessories, all at amazing price points. The online + “in home party” concept has seen a lot of traction in recent years with the success of companies like Stella & Dot. I was really excited to have the opportunity to ask AnaLiza some questions about the company, as well as herself. Enjoy!

Who are you? What do you do, and where do you live?

I am AnaLiza Alba- I’m a southern Texas gal who came to New York to pursue a dream career as a creative director in advertising. After getting my Master’s in Advertising from the University of Texas, I moved to NYC and have been writing commercials, (mostly for the beauty category) for clients like L’Oreal and currently Nexxus Salon Haircare. While on L’Oreal, I worked with Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Diane Keaton and Evangeline Lilly.

I started fibi & clo because I love fashion, especially shoes. The idea of doing trunk shows came to me because I loved the idea of getting friends together in a comfortable setting. It was also a great way to get direct feedback on the shoes from my customers.

I think it’s absolutely amazing that you took the step of taking an idea and making it a real, thriving business. What made you take that step?

It truly started out as a fun hobby, and it was a great way to get me home to Texas more often so I could see the family I miss so much. But then as I got more and more positive feedback and encouragement from my customers, I decided to really pursue it as a serious business. We have 8 reps now and we’re recruiting more for next year. Once I had my first couple of reps and saw them really succeeding and having fun, I knew it was something to pursue because it was worth it for all of us.

What has been the hardest thing that you have encountered, unexpectedly, in this whole process?

Handling the demand and growth. I’m so grateful that women really love the sandals, and I always receive such positive letters and reviews. So, we have been planning extensively on how to keep up with demand and laying the groundwork for a consistent and reliable supply chain.

What about the most rewarding thing you’ve encountered?

The success of my amazing sales reps and their dedication to their family and work /life balance.

Where do you get inspiration for your styles, and which one is your favorite?

My inspiration comes from my travels (The bright colors from the Mexican & Italian Riviera, the culture and style from South America and the creativity and fashion-forward buzz that you get from Hong Kong) Plus, living in NYC’s fashionable SoHo neighborhood keeps me inspired every day. If I had to pick a face, I would say Amalfi Coast; it’s absolutely breathtaking. But we’ll see where I stand after I go to the French Riviera for my honeymoon! fibi & clo always plays a role in my travel plans.

What other designers do you admire, for their style and design alone? What designers/stores do you admire for both the style/price point value that they offer?

For everyday shoes, I admire Sam Edelman. I love the fact that they’re fashionable and stylish, but still totally wearable for everyday. Occasionally, I’ll splurge on Louboutin and Choo as my staples for heels. DVF and Geren Ford are my absolute favorite for clothes. Diane for her ability to make a woman feel like a woman: everything she creates feels feminine and effortlessly beautiful. And Ford because I love all the silks. But don’t get me wrong, I love H&M, Forever 21 and Club Monaco for both their style and price point. Mixing and matching is key. As long as you have a great quality bag and shoes.

Can you share with us some of your personal favorite things that you own or would like to acquire, that are not fibi & clo? 

My Chanel crossbody bag is my personal favorite in my closet. It works with any outfit. It works with Converse or heels.

I heard that fibi & clo are your cats! Do you have any photos to share?

They are my cats! I adopted them from the Austin Humane Society. Now my customers write checks out to them! I get a kick out of it every time.

I know that the premise behind the business is selling most of your items through at home parties. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this business model? Can you ever see the company moving to a more traditional retail model?

We have no plans to pursue traditional retail. With at-home parties, our company can control the environment and brand experience and I can guarantee each show is an amazing experience, where each guest leaves with a smile.

Can you share some of your key style icons and any style advice you’ve had to learn over the years that you’d like to tell readers?

Alexander Wang inspires me because he makes basic look beautiful, even edgy sometimes. So I’ll throw on a basic tank and funk it up with a big cuff and a chunky necklace. The best thing about being a Texas girl is that you never feel weird with too many things on. So if you want to throw on five bracelets and still wear big earrings, go for it! Over my years of living in NYC, I’ve learned that your style can be anything you want it to be. My biggest piece of style advice though is don’t be afraid to mix your metals when it comes to jewelry. Silver, yellow gold, platinum…wear it all together. Why not?

Can you also share some of the business learnings you’ve had in this process?

Assemble the right team and design the right and unique product. Everything else will fall into place (with the right planning of course ).

Finally, please share something surprising about yourself !

When I was in college prepping for a presentation, I was cutting a piece of foam core with an Exacto knife when I sliced the tip of my thumb right off. My dad put the piece in a paper towel and rushed me to the ER. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to salvage it or sew the tip back on. Now one thumb is longer than the other, but I love it. We all have our surprising quirks, but that’s what makes us all unique, right? 😉

I hope you all enjoyed meeting AnaLiza! It’s not everyday that  I get to meet somebody who has started their own company and have the opportunity to ask them so many questions – so a very special thanks to AnaLiza for all her time and consideration (she was really super sweet)!  For more of AnaLiza, her boutique and blog can all be found here.

37 Comments

  • Reply
    YAYA
    August 3, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    That's so inspiring!
    I love stories like this where people really go off to pursue their true dreams. Really makes me want to get up and get my act together, haha. =)

    http://www.atelier630.com

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    August 3, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    AnaLiza is absolutely stunning. In the group photo, Beyonce literally fades into the background because my eyes are instantly drawn to AnaLiza. What an amazing entrepreneur. She has the courage to take the fearless leap into business. I'm full of admiration for her. I don't suppose she sells internationally?

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    August 3, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    AnaLiza is absolutely stunning. In the group photo, Beyonce literally fades into the background because my eyes are instantly drawn to AnaLiza. What an amazing entrepreneur. She has the courage to take the fearless leap into business. I'm full of admiration for her. I don't suppose she sells internationally?

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    August 3, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    AnaLiza is absolutely stunning. In the group photo, Beyonce literally fades into the background because my eyes are instantly drawn to AnaLiza. What an amazing entrepreneur. She has the courage to take the fearless leap into business. I'm full of admiration for her. I don't suppose she sells internationally?

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    August 3, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    AnaLiza is absolutely stunning. In the group photo, Beyonce literally fades into the background because my eyes are instantly drawn to AnaLiza. What an amazing entrepreneur. She has the courage to take the fearless leap into business. I'm full of admiration for her. I don't suppose she sells internationally?

  • Reply
    Jennipher
    August 3, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    OMG, I need those sandals! They are gorgeous! What a great interview – THANK YOU for always finding such interesting people and asking them fascinating questions. I really look forward to these every Wednesday, so please keep it up 🙂

  • Reply
    homestilo
    August 3, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Her story is so interesting and (I agree with YaYa) inspiring.

  • Reply
    nana
    August 3, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    this is a fantastic post 🙂
    xx

    http://nanakkii.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Nelah
    August 3, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Wow those sandals are really unique and stunning. Her business ideas are very different but in this age and time it is important to stay out from the crowd to be successful. Thanks for sharing, I will def check out her blog.

  • Reply
    xJOLE
    August 3, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    Wow, those shoes are gorgeous! How is the fit? I'm itching to get them in to a shopping cart..

  • Reply
    Michelle
    August 3, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Another great interview! Her story is incredibly inspirational – now I want to run off and start my own creative business. It doesn't hurt that she's a total knock out with a fab product. ♥

  • Reply
    Lisa
    August 3, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    OMGOSH those sandals are AMAZING!! so much bling for your feet hahah I LOVE IT!!

  • Reply
    Kate L.
    August 3, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Gorgeous sandals!!

    Fashion Cat
    http://www.firstlookbook.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Melissa
    August 3, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Wow, another wonderful interview! Well done, and what an interesting choice for a subject, she is really smart and so inspiring. I love the sandals you have on, she obviously knows what she's doing!

    xxMelissa

  • Reply
    Make Mommy Chic
    August 3, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    Great interview Katherine. These are very inspirational- i'll probably comment on that on every interview post but it's true. Your interview subjects are always fascinating people who have found their passion in life, are pursuing it and are successful at it. And once my toe is healed I am going to check out those gorgeous sandals you have on. My feet need some serious bling 🙂

  • Reply
    Kayla
    August 3, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    I loved this interview! I wasn't familiar with this company before so it was neat to learn about it! Those shoes are beautiful!

  • Reply
    DSK Steph
    August 3, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    You have the prettiest toes I've ever seen!!

  • Reply
    little t
    August 3, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    Gorgeous photos- love the pedi xx

  • Reply
    StefPatt
    August 4, 2011 at 2:51 am

    Yes you really have very pretty toes! There are no bunions nor any dry skin on them…do share your secrets! I am also ordering those sandals…they are so so pretty! Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Katherine
    August 4, 2011 at 3:43 am

    @DSK StephLOL thank you!

    @StefPattThank you! I've never heard this compliment before but actually was thinking about doing a post on nail painting – I paint everything myself 🙂 I'll put it up soon!

  • Reply
    StefPatt
    August 4, 2011 at 4:03 am

    Ooh…I paint everything myself too! Saves alot of money *wink* for lotsa other goodies…

  • Reply
    Jen
    August 4, 2011 at 4:07 am

    Great interview and read about another entrepreneur. Thanks for your nice comment and now I found your blog :)! I recently worked for someone starting a Direct Selling Co like this, was an interesting story, maybe sometime I'll share it on my blog!

    http://redsolesandredwine.com

  • Reply
    FleurLapin
    August 4, 2011 at 4:11 am

    That's pretty cool! I always love your interviews. These women have wardrobes/style to die for yet they seem so down-to-earth as well. BTW, you look like Lucy Liu in your profile pic! So pretty

  • Reply
    Finley
    August 4, 2011 at 4:25 am

    Wow – great job! Austin is the BEST city in Texas – no wonder such a cool girl came from there! 🙂
    {mommy chic} upcoming post: Blogiversary Giveaway

  • Reply
    Shannyn
    August 4, 2011 at 4:57 am

    Thank you for interviewing such an inspirational woman! I really enjoyed reading about AnaLiza!

    And those sandals are so gorgeous!!!!!!!

  • Reply
    dani@callitbeauty
    August 4, 2011 at 5:31 am

    love the jewelry and AnaLiza is absolutely STUNNING!

  • Reply
    Emily
    August 4, 2011 at 11:24 am

    TERRIFIC post. Very inspirational.

    Emily http://www.mywordsinterestslife.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Tara @ Haute Lunch
    August 4, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    Love the shoes you got of hers, and her kitties as well! So cute!

  • Reply
    melanie
    August 4, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    I love your interviews! These are my favorite sandals, they are just so gorgeous on.

  • Reply
    Mary Lane
    August 5, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    I love lvoe love those sandals. Under $50??? Incredible! I'll definitely have to check out their website.

    http://www.stylish3.com/marylane

  • Reply
    Urban Jungle Fashion
    August 6, 2011 at 5:34 am

    I'm so happy you highlighted an Austin girl!

  • Reply
    audrinajulia
    August 8, 2011 at 11:47 am

    Such an inspiration.Her sandals are gorgeous!

  • Reply
    Susan
    September 5, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    I ordered the Cascade sandals after reading this blog post, and they are beautiful sandals. But they don't fit properly. 🙁 They might fit on certain types of feet, but the straps are constructed in a way where they slide off very easily and the whole sandals flips to the side when I try to walk. I got the right size for my feet but the straps are just awkward.

    I'm bummed because they are pretty sandals.

  • Reply
    The Doctor
    September 7, 2011 at 12:33 am

    Hi Susan,

    I am sorry that the sandals do not fit properly. Feel free to reach out to me at info@fibiandclo.com and we can discuss ways to make you happy… either switching out the style or trying a smaller size (this works with this style sometimes).

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Michael and AnaLiza, fibi & clo

  • Reply
    Painting Nails » Feather Factor
    May 7, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    […] that I can do pretty well apparently though, is paint my nails. I received a lot of messages after this post asking about how I painted my toenails so neatly. So today I want to share with you my very […]

  • Reply
    Randi Manning
    April 25, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    I am a Stella and Dot Stylist and Love my job! I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any Fibi and Clo Reps in South Carolina. Myrtle Beach or Murrells Inlet Would love to do a joint party with them. Love the shoes!

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