Small Business Summit Center

Stacey Blume, BlumeGirl

Your humble Community Manager always quickly flips by E! when channel-surfing, but he is not immune to a business story that includes a reference to Jennifer Aniston's underwear.

Our next NYC entrepreneur makes personalized panties, boxers and intimates in Manhattan. Meet Stacey Blume, who also penned a guest blog entry for us, about her experiences with Chinese vendors.

AB: Is underwear as affected by the ebb and flow of fashion as much as other apparel?

SB: Underwear is underneath… so trends can definitely have a longer life than other types of fashion items. Blume generated a lot of buzz with fashion magazines and celebrities because customizing underwear with your loved one’s name was an innovative concept. But I think the personalized undergarment trend is here to stay. Underwear is a staple… everyone can always use a new pair, so why not have some fun with it?

AB: The basic style of BlumeGirl goods is a simple one. Have you had a problem with knockoffs?

SB: Initially yes, there was a big lingerie company – Biatta – that copied the personalized underwear. The long sleeve thermals were also copied by Acrobat, and sold to all the department stores. It was an annoying experience. But in both cases the patches didn’t have a rhinestone, didn’t look authentic, and they didn’t have the capability to make any name the way Blume does. It was definitely frustrating, but I guess it is all part of the game. I do believe that there is enough of a market out there for everyone so I don't like to focus on what competitors do. I also believe that consumers are smarter than they get credit for. Many people can identify a knockoff and are more interested in having the authentic original.

AB: Running a small business for the first time means lots of new challenges. What part of entrepreneurship have you worked hardest on?

SB: Entrepreneurship has been very challenging- but I think the obstacles help keep me passionate about building my company. I am creative and my strengths are in marketing and sales so I have probably had to work the hardest with the CFO and COO types of responsibilities.

AB: What would you do if you weren't in business for yourself?

SB: If I weren't in business for myself, I would probably be a drama therapist. I have a Masters of Social Work from UCLA and studied acting while living in Los Angeles so that profession incorporates two of my other interests.

Business Bio

Blume is an innovative fashion label that consists of personalized items for women, men, children and dogs. Authentic name patches from the family’s uniform company originally inspired stylish lingerie with a sexy twist. Blume has expanded beyond the original hit of the kitschy undergarments that allowed women to bare a little personality with other unique collections for the whole family. Blume Guy, Blume Baby and Blume Dog have allowed everyone to get in on the fun.

Blume created quite a buzz and has been a big hit with celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, Kelly Ripa, Julia Roberts, Brooke Shields, Gwen Stefani, and Angelina Jolie. Blume has been featured in major publications such as US Weekly, People Magazine's 'Style Watch' section, WWD, New York Times Style Section, and Jane Magazine, as well as hit televisions shows such as "Access Hollywood", "Live with Regis and Kelly", "The Today Show", "The View", “E!”, and a special segment on CNBC.

Blume is currently sold on www.blumegirl.com and at high end boutiques throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan.