Designer interviews are back! Now that the holidays are behind us, designers finally have a bit more time to participate in interviews and I'm pleased that The Donut Lounge is my latest interviewee. I "discovered" The Donut Lounge when Donna generously donated adorable smiley faced food badges for the old Mafia Made show last fall. Donna also makes cards, plushies, bags and more.
Here's Donna's story...
Name: Donna Lee Buenaventura
What is your business name and how did you come up with it? The Donut Lounge. Donut is an old nickname. In second grade we had to do an alliteration type thing with our name and so mine was Donna Donut. Then in high school, I had a site on one of those free servers and named it The Donut Lounge... I'm not sure why I used "lounge" but I just thought it sounded cool.
Website: http://www.thedonutlounge.com
What is it that you make? Mainly paper goods... cards, notepads, etc. I've also made some buttons, bags, and plush toys, but my site is constantly changing.
Where are you located? Fairfield, CA. For those that don't know where that is it's pretty much half way between San Francisco and Sacramento.
How and when did you get your start? During my last quarter of college, I saw a local site of handmade goodies... and I thought, "Hey, I can do that!" And I've always been infatuated with greeting cards and at this time it was right around Mother's Day and graduation so I made about 10 cards, bought my dot com, and started selling them on campus.
What inspires you? Other designers & designs. Just seeing something fresh and amazing motivates me to push out new products.
What is your design process? It usually starts off with a light bulb going off in my head... I try to sketch it out... then I take it to the workbench and make a prototype. I'd say about 75% of the time my final products don't match my original ideas. My work in progress usually sparks new directions... then I keep making samples until I'm completely happy with the outcome.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do? Least favorite? My favorite part is the feeling I get when I've finished making something. No matter how many times I do it, I still get that giddy feeling after finishing a product. My least favorite part would have to be when my brain fries from designing too long and I feel stuck. Or when I've spent so long staring at something that I can't even tell if I like it or not anymore.
What advice would you give to new indie businesses? Focus on finding your niche. I spent a lot of time trying out several crafty outlets, but realized there were only certain aspects I REALLY loved doing... Once I was able to find that focus I started enjoying EVERYTHING about my business.
Do you have anything new and exciting plans for your business or anything that you want people to know about? I have a new site out, AGAIN. I probably change my site every few months, but I think I'm going to stick with this one for a while. The only exciting plans I have are new Valentine's products and I'll be continuously adding a lot more within the next few months.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be? I'd trade places with Martha Stewart so I could see what it's like to run an empire. Whether you love her or hate her, you must admit she is one amazing business woman.
What is the last book you read? It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be. -Paul Arden. Pretty good motivational book but it's more for those interested in a corporate career.
Currently reading: Craft Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco.
What was the last movie you went to see? Cloverfield. Better than I expected. If you can't stomach a hand-held camera for 1.5 hrs, then you might not want to watch it in the theater.
What is your most memorable travel experience? My trip to the Philippines about 6 years ago. A lot of fun shopping, checking out the nightlife, and it felt nice being out of the country for once.
Do you have any pets? I wouldn't say she's mine because she's my parent's baby girl.. haha. We have a very chubby, practically blind, 10-year-old pug.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I'm either eating, sleeping, or on AIM... a very sedentary life, unfortunately. Or playing rock band!
What are your favorite blogs to read? Indie businesses to shop at? My bf's blog is always entertaining: http://unsleepable.tumblr.com. Cool indie shops :D http://www.maustudio.com, http://www.heyprettycupcake.com.
What is your favorite food? Pizza! And french fries. I'm too in love w/ carbs.
Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit? I really want to go to Europe. I'm trying to plan a Eurotrip this summer... but with work and school, who knows.
Thanks, Donna!
Donna also forgot to mention that Fairfield is near a very yummy place - the Jelly Belly Factory! She's probably sick of it, but I've only been out there a couple of times, so it's still fun for me.
Don't forget to visit The Donut Lounge for Valentine's Day cards! If you order by February 8th, they'll arrive in time for V-Day. A couple of the designs are also great for any friends that you'd like to give a valentine to.
