Menlo Park Maker Infuses "SJ Made"

Here are five questions and answers with Lori Vaught, Menlo Park resident, about her business and an upcoming vendor fair, SJ Made, which she will be taking part in.

Menlo Park Patch: Tell me what your business is. (In a nut shell, how would you pitch it to potential customers?)

Lori Vaught: Create to Build is a project that I started as a way to give back. As a designer with a love for all areas of design, photography and travel, I also had a desire to help others. Inspired by building homes during Spring Breaks, I chose to support Habitat for Humanity, specifically to areas that have been devastated by natural disasters.

I took my original artwork and decided to "go green and give back" by printing them onto eco-friendly, reusable totes for a fun and practical way to help others. With each purchase, a designated portion of the proceeds will support Habitat for Humanity!

Patch: How long have you been in business and what made you want to create it?

Vaught: It really came as an overwhelming culmination of ideas that I had been trying to put together! I had my artwork and knew I wanted to help others in some way, but I finally connected the dots in late 2011. It's my way of making a difference through design.

Patch: Why did you decide on being part of SJ MADE?

Vaught: I recently moved to the area and was looking for a way to get involved, specifically to get more exposure and meet people. When I found out about SJ Made, I thought it was the perfect fit! 

Patch: What are some of the challenges of being a small business owner?

Vaught: Since I'm still in the early stages of Create to Build (and in a new location!), the most challenging aspect is networking and spreading the word.

Patch: Why is it important for the greater community to support small businesses, such as yourself, at events like SJ MADE?

Vaught: Small business thrive through local support. When the community gets a chance to come together and see all the local products in one place, like at SJMade, it goes from being a "business name" to a more personal connection. This kind of interaction makes it that much easier for the community to support! As a business owner, getting to meet other local business owners builds a stronger network where we can help each other out too! 

Website - www.createtobuild.com

Create to Build is joining more than 50 vendors from all around Silicon Valley and six food trucks at SJ MADE. The event takes place April 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 151 W. Santa Clara Street (previously Spiedo Ristorante) and 87 N. San Pedro Street (San Pedro Square Market).

 Read about other small business owners attending the event from:

• Los Gatos

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