Sparking Startup: Meet Lillie Bernie, Founder of The Glitter Store

Lillie Bernie is an artist and entrepreneur known for her business ‘The Glitter Store’. Her business specialises in creating unique, glitter-themed products, including glitter photo booths and glitter prints.

The Glitter Store is recognised for its distinctive and eye-catching designs that add a touch of sparkle bringing peoples photos and memories to life. Lillie’s approach focus’s on handmade quality, making each piece and experience special.

Where Did The Glitter Store Start and How Did It All Begin?

The Glitter Store started four years ago, evolving from my career in modeling to becoming an abstract painter, to later developing a glitter print business. The Glitter Store is where customers can purchase bespoke glittered artwork designed for special occasions such as weddings, engagements, birthdays, or family celebrations.

Did You Always Aspire To Own Your Own Business?

Honestly no, I always knew I wanted to do something creative, whether that was in the fashion or art world. Having a business wasn’t even something I considered, the idea came first rather than having a business. 

What Was The Catalyst For Starting The Glitter Store?

Early on, galleries dismissed my art, saying my lack of formal training and my modeling background were reasons I wouldn’t be taken seriously. Determined, I decided to merge both worlds—I organised a photo shoot, painting models in diamond-like paint and having them photographed.

I then added my signature touch of paint and diamond dust. A friend saw my work and asked if I could apply the same technique to her wedding photos. The response was incredible. A few weeks later, the pandemic hit, and with work slowing down, I decided to trial this creative venture as a business.

Modelling to Art is a Unique Leap; How Did It Go and Was it All Smooth Sailing?

I had no expectations going in and was able to balance both modeling and developing my art career simultaneously which made the leap a lot easier. That said, it was far from smooth sailing. I faced constant rejection and often felt unsupported.

The art world felt closed off, and I frequently encountered challenges, from people trying to take advantage of me, to having my work stolen and battling with galleries over payments. The rejections were tough, but those experiences shaped my resilience.

What Was The Biggest Challenge When Starting Up The Glitter Store?

Not having prior experience of running a business or working for someone else made the journey challenging, as I had to learn every skill from the ground up. It is also difficult not having anyone to bounce ideas off or seek advice from. However, the sense of accomplishment that comes with solving each challenge independently is incredibly rewarding.

So Many People Aspire To Get Out Of The 9 to 5 Grind. What Would Be Your Top Tip?

When starting a business, it’s essential to choose something you’re genuinely passionate about because tough days are inevitable. If you don’t have a deep love for what you’re doing, it will be much harder to push through and stay committed during the challenging times.

What Have Been Your Biggest Achievements To Date?

Creating custom prints for Paris Hilton of her wedding photos was truly a dream come true. I also had the honor of designing a glitter photo booth for Kathy Hilton in collaboration with Ruggable. Another significant milestone was seeing my prints featured on This Morning.

It was surreal to bring my glitter photo booths to life at major brand events for Too Faced Makeup, Moschino, and Lipsy. Additionally, having my artwork displayed in the homes of celebrities like Vanessa Bryant, Sophia Richie, and Molly Mae has been an incredible highlight of my business journey.

You Run a Business That Deals In Physical Products. What Are The Specific Challenges That Come With That?

Managing physical products has numerous challenges, especially when it comes to shipping. Ensuring that prints are properly packed to prevent damage is just one aspect. Additionally, because each item is handmade, I need to either be present in the studio to fulfill orders personally or ensure that a fully trained team member is always available to handle them.

What Are Your Plans For The Next Few Years?

Over the next few years, I plan to focus on expanding the business and reaching more people globally. I envision the glitter photo booth to make appearances at many more events and to see even more people enjoy our prints. Additionally, I aim to grow our illustration range and introduce new glitter products to our collection.

How Can We Find You?

You can find me on:

https://www.instagram.com/theglitterstore/?hl=en

https://theglitterstore.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@theglitterstoree