I’m so excited about this week’s Small Business Saturday post! Like you guys know, I love showcasing females in business. Especially women who create beautiful, simple, and much-loved products. This week’s Small Business Saturday features Ali Arnette, founder of The Providence Story. She creates the most beautiful items from her home office and from design to completion, she does it all! She creates the products that she wishes she could find while browsing stores – high-quality materials that stand out, simple design, minimal but impressive hardware, and most of all, a price point that makes sense. Check out the way I styled a clutch she made below and give her interview a read while you’re at it!

What inspired you to start The Providence Story?

I opened my Etsy shop in 2012 when I was a new mom adjusting to stay-at-home-mom life. I had had a job since I was 14 so not working was utterly foreign to me…and a little uncomfortable to be completely honest. I turned to creative projects to keep my hands busy, and several friends suggested to me that I open up an Etsy shop. After selling crocheted items for about a year, I turned entirely over to leather. But, I had to teach myself to sew first! It wasn’t a fascinating beginning, but it has turned into so much more than I ever expected!

Why is your line of products different from other brands?

I think my line of products is different from other brands for three reasons. First, I like simple designs where the material is the stand out factor. Second, I love my products to be as original as possible. And third, I offer the best price point possible because I want my products to be attainable for a lot of people.

What is the design process for the pieces?

My design process is straightforward. I start by sitting down and sketching out my thoughts. Then I usually google the idea to make sure that nothing else precisely like it exists. There’s nothing more upsetting to me than stealing someone else’s ideas, and I want to make sure that it doesn’t happen, even if it isn’t intentional! Then I just cut out the material and give it a try. I make a lot of things that never see the light of day but designing and creating is my favorite part of this whole gig!

Out of the many products you carry, which is your favorite? Or favorites?

My favorite products are my tassel keychains. I started making them to use up the mountains of scraps that I had accumulated from making bags, but now I go through entire hides for them in as little as a couple of days! The design is entirely original, and even after years of making the same thing over and over again I still love them so much. They’re so useful and fun!

I’ve said this a millllllion times, and I’ll repeat it, there is nothing as satisfying as a consumer than to shop small! Each piece contains intention and love, and your closet feels special. Isn’t this clutch just so beautiful?! It’s perfect for a date night with hubster or happy hour with friends. I wear it with everything!

I’m also a huge fan of her leather tassels. I love that she offers little ones for keys and clutches, and longer ones for purses and bags.
These would make great gifts for friends and for yourself too. Shop small yall, check out her store, and give The Providence Story a follow on Instagram!

Cheers,