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Meet Kate Smart-Foster of Your Wedding letters & Spelllit in Scottsdale

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Smart-Foster.

Kate, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from the UK, moved to Scottsdale 10 years ago. I always had a passion for starting up my own business growing up with my parents owning their own business and graduating in Business and Management at university always gave me that urge to start something! I had an idea and pondered over it for a while before even beginning, the idea of 4 ft light up marquee letters was an idea that was popular back in the UK. I loved the idea and thought I could bring this to Scottsdale and surrounding areas. I saw a niche in the market and said to myself this would be a great business to start up with so many events going on around the valley the product would fit great. I took the next step got all the materials I needed came back home and started building in my garage. The first letters built were LOVE. Weddings were my focus to begin with. As time went on and my name was out there, I was getting enquires for other letters/ numbers and the building got more and more! I now have the whole alphabet and duplicates of letters! So you can spell what you want! Not only do I do weddings but corporate events, birthday parties and more! I am now expanding into different backdrops to go alongside the letters. The business is growing and I am expanding into new products and ideas. I have now been up and running for 1.5 years. I have just introduced a new name and new logo. Spelllit.com light up your event.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I can’t say its ever easy starting up something on your own taking the plunge and doing it you will always take the rough with the smooth. Being apparent in the market was a struggle after setting up as a new product in an unknown market, I struggled on exposure and getting my name and the product out there. I did a lot of networking where I was able to bring the letters along with me which gave me exposure and people were able to see the product in person. Open houses, charity events and other free events I would attend. Working on my own and being one person has been a struggle at times, especially juggling two or three events on the same day, making sure I am on time for each event and set up is exactly where the client wants them. Living and working in the desert always has its downfalls with June, July and August being the hottest months and not many events going on so having to be prepared to not be as busy but continue to push continue to push forward.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Your Wedding Letters / spelllit specializes and is known for 4ft light up marquee letters and numbers. All hand made and able to spell out what you want. The letters are only for rent and not for sale. People rent the letters for all sorts of different events from baby showers, to corporate events, weddings, birthday parties and proposals. Alongside the letters are other backdrops, offering a light-up message box great for an entrance to an event spelling what you want. Lockable mailbox for weddings as nowadays people ask for cash. The newest edition to Your Wedding Letters is a neon sign spelling out happily ever after I am proud of starting up a small business from nothing with an idea and product that isn’t well known in Arizona. Taking my own initiative sticking with it and continue to grow and build in as many ways as possible. The thing I would say that sets me apart from the rest is every letter is handmade and built by myself. The inventory of letters I have is large and being able to offer many different variations of words to clients for all different types of events.

How do you personally define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for etc.?
I define success by hard work, consistency, creating and delivering the product and service by ensuring my clients are happy. The markers I look out for are making sure delivery and set up are on time and exactly situated and positioned where the client wants them for the event. Ensuring the product is going to enable the client and their guest’s full enjoyment and creating unforgettable memories.

Pricing:

  • $75 per letter / number
  • $100 – Light up message box
  • Other backdrops – Contact for price

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Robert Keegan Photography

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