Hera Hub is excited to share Startup Stories from our members. We periodically interview incredible business women from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Our goal is to share our members’ wonderful stories with the public.
Vanessa Elle is the founder of Peace Ornaments. Vanessa’s passion for brining people together is what led her to create Peace Ornaments. Her mission is to use Peace Ornaments as conversation starters to bring people from all walks of life and beliefs together.
Vanessa has been a member of Hera Hub for the last six years.
What was the inspiration behind your business?
My inspiration is the idea that we can all be friends if we take the time to get to know each other. To be curious, ask questions and show a genuine interest in others. Religions have long divided people, however, I truly believe at their essence, religions are based on the ideas of peace and love.
Years ago, Felena Hanson and I started a dinner club called GodLuck. Each month, we invited our friends and families to a potluck dinner and discussed various faiths, sometimes, inviting guest speakers to share more detailed knowledge on the faith. My mother attended our dinners and was so inspired, she created the first set of Peace Tree Ornaments. She passed away in 2011 and since then, Peace Ornaments have been reimagined and are now available on Etsy, Amazon and PeaceOrnaments.com. They are in over 1000 homes worldwide and gaining momentum with each ornament that is purchased and shared.
Who are your clients and what do you do for them?
My clients are world travelers, truth seekers, peace dreamers, activists, interfaith families and those with an unquenched curiosity and respect for others. Basically, they’re really cool humans 
Peace Ornaments offers my customers an opportunity to celebrate their values in the spirit of inclusivity, peace, and friendship by giving and sharing their ornaments.
What are your business’ values?
Curiosity
Equality
Inclusion
Acceptance
Understanding
Friendship
Peace
How/Why did you choose your business name?
It’s catchy and easy to remember. And it’s quite literal.
What do you love most about your work?
I love knowing that there are millions of people worldwide who also share our values.
What is the biggest challenge in running your own business?
The biggest challenge for me has been creating a social media campaign that will ignite new customers to feel inspired by the message and translate into sales.
What are your/your business’ goals for the future?
My goal is to create a worldwide business that serves up inspiration to my customers and generates the kind of income I that supports me and my family – and my GirlSide Chats project.
What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?
Sometimes, that smallest step is the biggest step you can take. Every day is different.
It’s not always easy. It’s not necessarily hard. But it will definitely feel overwhelming at times.
So try to go with the flow and not let yourself get too distracted or overwhelmed.
