Kappa Kappa Gamma - University of Kentucky

Beta Chi Newsletter 2 Building bella bliss Sisters Create Children's Clothing line u pon graduation, Lisa Feringa McLean '87 used her multiple degrees in psychology to work with high-risk students in public schools. In 1998, while pregnant with her first child, Lisa and her sister, Barbara Feringa, University of North Carolina '84, collaborated to start a small sweater company that allowed women to make hand-crocheted applications in their homes. The company aligned with Barbara's work with USAID in Peru and Lisa was able to work from home while building her family. Throughout the years, the business kept evolving, and in 2010, bella bliss launched its first catalog. "I obviously knew nothing about manufacturing, but I enjoyed the creativity of designing something and watching it come to fruition. There is nothing better than opening that first box of samples each season," Lisa said. "We now work with more than 12 manufacturers from Europe and South America, and mail more than 1 million catalogs per year." bella bliss is a children's clothing line with collections that feature timeless beauty, comfort, and durability. Although Lisa has always enjoyed fashion, she did not take any fashion or business classes in college, and advises current undergraduates to take courses outside of their specific major. "Keep an open mind. Put yourself out there and try as many internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities as you can," she said. "You never know what may spark an interest that you didn't know you had." Lisa's time in Beta Chi was crucial in helping her build relationships and feel safe at a university that was much larger than her high school. Coming to the University of Kentucky at 16 years old and from out-of-state, Kappa Kappa Gamma helped her navigate her way through college. "I loved the individuality of the girls who recruited me," she said. "There was no real 'typical' member, just a lot of unique personalities. Some of my most enduring friendships are from my pledge class and the class below me." Kappa Kappa Gamma legacies run throughout Lisa's family, as she shares the sisterhood with her grandmother, mother, aunt, sister, mother-in-law, and numerous cousins. Lisa and her husband, Pope, have three children: Katharine (18), Mac (15), and Shep (6). Through bella bliss and Pope's job as a commercial horse breeder, Lisa has had the chance to travel to great places throughout the years. The McLean family lives in Lexington, Ky., and Lisa can be reached at lisa@bellabliss.com. For more information on bella bliss or to see Lisa's designs, visit www.bellabliss.com. Lisa Feringa McLean '87 outside of bella bliss, a children's clothing line she and her sister, Barbara Feringa, University of North Carolina '84, established. Creating Twiggy Originals Alumna Paintings Spark Self-Confidence w hile in school, Carla Terwilleger '98 decided to forgo the long hours of studio time required for an art minor and take a chance on the success she had established with her brand, Twiggy Originals. Selling her first painting in 2000 to a friend's brother, Carla sold 30 paintings in her first year. Today, Twiggy Originals has expanded to also include Twiggy Bridal (custom bridesmaid's gifts, portraits of the couple, and guest book paintings) and Twiggy Baby (paintings created especially for nurseries.) "I have always loved surrounding myself with strong, powerful, inspiring women and Twiggy Originals brings out the fierce femme fatale in each of us," she said. "Many clients of mine tell me that when they wake up in the morning, they look at their Twiggy painting and say, 'Be that woman today. Be that confident, sassy, fabulous woman you know you are.' That's the best compliment in the world." When Carla graduated from UK, she applied for art director positions in New York City, hoping to follow her dream of being a creative director at a big-name advertising agency. She quickly realized that she did not have the portfolio needed to attain the job she was searching for, but knew that she was great with people, and used those skills to begin her career at Fitness Magazine in Los Angeles. Since then, she has successfully balanced a career in advertising and marketing alongside Twiggy Originals and was even able to work for some of the big-name companies she dreamed of like DeutschLA and Mattel. Today, Carla is the director of agency development at Power Agency in Louisville, Ky. Eventually, Carla plans on running Twiggy Originals full time, but until then, she enjoys her chaotic work life. On April 22, Carla shared her art with Beta Chi alumnae at Alumnae Tea. At the event, Twiggy Originals were available for purchase and sisters could meet the artist behind the canvas. "Life doesn't hand you opportunities. If you want something, go get it," she advises current undergraduates. "As women in the workforce, wear your confidence like a cloak and remember, you're as good as anyone else. Focus on your strengths. Listen to people who have been where you want to be and ask them to mentor you." Continued on page 4

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