Delta Gamma - University of Kansas

Anchored In page 2 Spo tli g ht on B e ta Kappa Entrepr en eurs A s a graphic design major, Lizzie Greco '03 found mentors and resources in her older Beta Kappa sisters. These sisters inspired her to continue with graphic design, helped her find an internship and a job, and led her on the path to opening her own business. After working for a digital signage company in Kansas for a few years, Lizzie moved to Chicago where she worked for a stationery shop. She began making her own frames by covering wood frames with the decorative paper the shop sold. After years of honing her skills while selling her frames online and in craft shows as a part-time gig, she quit her day job in January 2014 and opened Craftbelly Paper and Pattern. Craftbelly offers a line of homemade goods, including decorative picture frames, wrapping paper, journals, and stationery featuring patterns she designed herself. As a one-woman show, Lizzie has learned much about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and small business owner. "I knew absolutely nothing about running a business until I worked side by side with a woman (who I now consider my mentor) who had built a successful stationery business from the ground up. I consider that my graduate school!" She hopes she can influence other Beta Kappa sisters who are interested in owning their own business. "Owning a small business is tough, especially first starting out when it's all about the hustle. You are constantly challenged and there will be many ups and downs. I think the key to sticking with it is really believing in yourself and what you are doing and also surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family. Nothing can replace hard work and determination and if you are willing to do the work, it's totally possible and completely worth it. In the end you are creating a life and business you love and that's pretty amazing." Lizzie feels Delta Gamma helped her become a more aware, responsible, and well-rounded woman, all traits which help her run Craftbelly. "Another thing I loved about our Chapter was how everyone was encouraged to just be themselves. That goes a long way when you're just starting out in a world where you feel you have to take the conventional path based on what you've majored in." Her Beta Kappa friends supported Lizzie at KU and are still her biggest supporters today. Lizzie lives in Denver, Colorado. Check out Craftbelly online at www.craftbelly.com and reconnect with Lizzie via e-mail at lizzie@craftbelly.com. Lizzie Greco '03: Craftbelly Paper and Pattern D eborah Colburn Tagtalianidis '77 joined Beta Kappa with hopes of finding lifelong friends and having an active social life in college. As a member, Deb was proud to be surrounded by girls who were scholastic, but also had a lot of fun. She loved living in the house, especially laughing and talking until all hours of the nights in her four-girl room. Deb knows that learning how to be a part of a community of women and girls was beneficial for her life after college. After graduating from KU with a bachelor of fine arts, Deb enjoyed a 22-year career as a graphic designer at Willoughby Design in Kansas City, and then worked at a large scrapbooking company for seven years. In 2013, she and her Greek husband, Theo, came across an amazing opportunity when their close friends, then-owners of the Mad Greek in downtown Lawrence, decided to sell the restaurant. Friends had been telling Deb and Theo for years they should open a restaurant because of her marketing background and his restaurant experience in Greece, so in early 2014, Deb and Theo became owners of the Mad Greek. A year into her new career as a restaurant owner, Deb couldn't be happier. "It's been a learning experience, but the previous owners have been so helpful in teaching us the ropes. The Mad Greek has been in Lawrence for 27 years so we inherited a successful restaurant with lots of regulars. We have added our own sense of flair, but we have tried to keep it consistent." Deb enjoys working in the downtown Lawrence community we all know and love. "It's been a lot of fun getting to know the customers and the downtown Lawrence community. I enjoy the hospitality aspect; greeting customers and making sure they have a good experience." Deb's new role has taught her much and she wants to share her advice with Beta Kappa sisters who are interested in becoming business owners. "Be patient, learn as much as you can, and really understand how to run a business. Take your time in choosing the direction and make sure your passion and heart are there. You are not going to know everything, so be open to continually learning and accept that things change." Today Deb is still very close with her Beta Kappa sisters. They get together quite often for events, including recently at the Mad Greek. Deb's husband, Theo, is from a small town in northern Greece. They have two daughters; the oldest went to school in Greece, and the youngest Deb hopes will be a DG at KU. Stop by the Mad Greek on your next visit to Lawrence and say hi to Deb! E-mail: deb.tag@icloud.com Beta Kappa Alumna Proud Owner of the Mad Greek

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