Meet Leslie Barrand and Julie Galan of Slice of Serendipity in Gilbert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Barrand and Julie Galan.

Leslie and Julie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After working as an all-star cheer program director/choreographer and working with kids in the valley for ten years, I decided it was time to finally focus on my own children. My husband’s job took us to Colorado. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being a full-time mom of three. I loved spending time with my kids, but I felt like part of my identity was missing.

I longed for the creative, competitive freedom I had grown accustomed to back when I was working. My amazing sister in law kept talking about buying a laser and how she thought I would love it. I honestly had no idea what she was talking about. I kept imagining Dr. Evil from Austin Powers and figured whatever a laser was- it sounded far too complicated and terrifying for me.

After a few weeks of her demonstrating and walking me through the basics. I was astonished at all the things this machine could do! I started making small things for my house just for fun, and then the people who would come to my house started wanting me to make them the same stuff. Word of mouth spread, and before I knew it, I was swamped with orders! The only time I could really work was when my kids slept. I would take a night a week and work all night at my sister in laws home.

That time was precious to me, and the reward of bringing an idea to life made me feel like myself again! Shortly after finding out I was expecting (and only four months after my 3rd baby arrived) my husband took a job offer back in Arizona. We moved in with my parents. (perplexed at how fast the housing market grew while we were gone) I was devastated that I had to leave the laser business that was starting to take off; behind.

One day, my mom was telling me how she wished she didn’t have to work. She was working as a Project Coordinator for a Construction Company and teaching piano full time from Home. She said she felt like work was all she did, and she didn’t feel like herself anymore. I completely related to her as I felt that same way and how I missed the rewards of the laser business. We decided to take a big leap of faith.

My mom quit her job, and we came up with the money for our own laser. It was scary. We both knew that we would have to give it everything we had. We didn’t have a choice to fail. My dad and husband helped turn our garage into a complete workspace. We both work hard and balance each other well. We both come up with our ideas. We try to be unique.

I create the design and operate the laser while my mom assembles our creations, and keeps us organized. My dad custom makes all of our frames, my husband cuts our backgrounds, and my siblings help watch my kids. It is a full family business! We work about 80 hours a week, but we love it! After signing up for our first market in January of 2018, our business has exploded!

We attend markets each week (sometimes three a weekend) all over the state. Our art can we found in several stores including Highland Yard in Chandler, Marmalade Market in Gilbert, Woods and Whites at the Biltmore Fashion Park in Scottsdale and Local Trade in Phoenix. You can always find us in downtown Gilbert every Saturday with new designs! We feel incredibly blessed to have come so far in our first year!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part of the business for us is separating the family from the business. With my four kids running around, spilling paint, needing diapers changed, making meals… it’s so hard to balance both under the same roof! As a mother/daughter duo, it’s also easy to forget we are both partners.

We don’t agree at times, but we have been fairly good at respecting one another. Keeping up with trends but also being able to find ways to stand out in an often saturated market has been a challenge, but I think we are good at bending the rules and making it work!

Slice of Serendipity – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in unique, custom art, home decor, promotional products, wedding and event decor. With our 75 Watt, industrial sizes laser, our capabilities are endless. Our designs are often inspired by the beautiful desert we live in, as well as whatever ideas our clients have.

We work with businesses and costumers all over the US! We are told that our look is unique and to us, that is the biggest compliment! We strive to push the boundaries! Our large 4×2 foot signs are unlike anything you will see!

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Working at our markets together after working long hours, not sleeping, designing new items, stressing and the whole house looking like a tornado hit it… and people buy our stuff?!

The compliments from our clients and bond we develop as a mother and daughter are priceless. I couldn’t do this without my mom. It wouldn’t be possible. We are successful because we are going through this journey together. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Contact Info:

• Address: 3720 S. Martingale Rd. Gilbert, Az 85297
• Phone: 4805993955
• Email: sliceofserendipityllc@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sliceofserendipityllc
• Facebook: Facebook.com/sliceofserendipity

Image Credit:
@roehnerryan @localtradeaz

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