At the age of eight, I submitted a drawing to our local Hallmark store's greeting card coloring contest. Much to my surprise, I won .... both the contest, and the largest Snoopy bulletin board I'd ever seen. I believe my true calling to design stationery came that day, walking with glee in to claim my prize.

Twenty years later, Lele Designs was created. At first, late nights were spent designing custom invitations for family, friends and co-workers as a "hobby." I was a graphic designer working in advertising who loved to create one-of-a-kind designs for close friends, and before I knew it, word was beginning to spread.

As my interest in design and invitations grew, I became torn between my adrenaline-run career in advertising and the invitation client base that was building right before my eyes. After much encouragement from friends and family, I finally committed to what had become my passion. Lele Designs was officially launched in 2003, and I've never looked back.

-Elise Whitaker, designer