by Andrea Hove

 

Every quarter the Eastvale Edition profiles a local business and this quarter we’ve chosen Aimee Crosson owner of Bitz of Glitz.  Aimee lives here in Eastvale with her husband, Eric and their four children.

Tell us about your business?
Bitz of Glitz specializes in affordable, custom rhinestone apparel and accessories.  We also stock a wide variety of merchandise, including shirts, dresses, velour sweat suits, sports bras, aprons and hats.  Approximately 90% of our embellished merchandise is either made or pressed here in Eastvale.  However, we also carry, from various manufacturers, trendy tattoo and burnout shirts, handbags and flip-flops all embellished with rhinestones.  Our most popular items are the “mom” shirts, i.e. Soccer Mom, Mustang Mom, Football Mom, Baseball Mom, Basketball, Dance, etc.  Although, lately, the MOM (to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th… power) visors and the velour suits seem to be the favorite picks.

How did you get into this line of business?
I prayed to God about what to do next, after being forced out of a Senior Management position with Target.  As a Fundraiser Coordinator for MOPS, I coordinated a Holiday Boutique and decided to purchase a few rhinestone cross shirts to sell myself. When I sold out, my husband immediately said, “We’re buying you equipment”.  That was in November 2007.  I did some research, prayed some more, and doors began to open, one after the other.  I knew that this was a direct answer to my prayer.  I purchased my first press on December 31, 2007, added another piece of equipment to make the custom designs in April 2008, and a Cap press in June 2008. 

What is the cost for a custom shirt?
Pricing varies and is based on the detail of the design, number of rhinestones used and garment selection.  Our pricing is very reasonable, when compared to some online businesses.  The price for a custom shirt starts at $22.00 for a less detailed design, with only one color of rhinestones and $25.00 and up for a detailed design, with a logo, 700+ multi-colored rhinestone design.  We offer discount pricing on 12+ pieces of the same design and we also do fundraisers. 

Any funny stories?
I recently had a client order a rhinestone shirt for her husband’s 40th Birthday.  She requested a big rhinestone filled “40” on the back of a shirt.  I tried to talk her out of it, explaining to her that men do not wear rhinestones and I suggested a screen print shirt, or that she ask him first, before she orders it.  Her response, “He will wear anything I ask him to wear.”  I haven’t made it yet.  I’m still trying to talk her out of it.

Anything else?
I praise God, for blessing my business and for allowing me the opportunity to run a business from home and at the same time, tend to the needs of my family.  I also attribute a great part of my success to the support, encouragement and resources that I have received right here in Eastvale.  Eastvaleresidents.com, CVParent.com, SR Designs, Eastvale Business Network, MOMS Club Corona Eastvale, Empire Soccer, Mustang Football, Eastvale Basketball and many others have been major contributors to the success of my business, without their referrals, my business would not be thriving the way it is today. 

How long have you lived in Eastvale and what clubs or organizations do you belong to?
We moved to Eastvale in August 2002, from Whittier.  I am involved in MOMS Club and a Providence Ranch Bunko group that formed 4 years ago.  We attend the Harvest satellite church at Eastvale Elementary and I attend a women’s bible study weekly.  I am also a Girl Scout Troop Leader for Brownies and Juniors.  I try to participate in as many community events as possible.  If I am not able to participate, I am always willing to donate raffle prizes.

How do we contact you? 
By logging on to our website at www.bitzofglitz.org or emailing me directly at aimee@bitzofglitz.org.  An updated list of events that we are participating in can also be found on our Bitz of Glitz Facebook page.