MCC Alumna Alexis Saunders has been crafting and creating her way into a healthy business. The first year Alexis dedicated all her time to her business, Alexis Nicole’s Designs saw over $100,000 in sales. What started out as a hobby has become a profitable and rewarding endeavor as she continues to add new product lines and customer outreach mechanisms to grow her business.
Originally from Troy, Alexis calls Bennett, North Carolina home today. She describes herself as a natural student. “As early as kindergarten, I remember loving school,” explains Alexis. “I always had straight As in school and never missed a day unless I absolutely had to.” West Montgomery High School offered Alexis the opportunity to take classes at Montgomery Community College her junior year to get a head start on college curriculum. She graduated from West Montgomery High School in 2021 and began her pursuit of a nursing degree until she realized that owning a business was her true calling. She switched her major to Business Administration and graduated from MCC with an Associate’s Degree.
Alexis’ experience at MCC offered a great deal of flexibility, which was important because she was working and studying at the same time. “I always chose online classes because they worked with my schedule. Growing a small business, working five days a week for a car dealership and being a full-time college student left very little free time!” The instructors Alexis had were always very helpful, especially Mike Collins. “He always made sure his students had the material they needed and he went above and beyond to ensure our success.”
Alexis started her business in October of 2021 on her bedroom floor, making custom shirts and other personalized items. She bought a 12×20 foot building in January of 2023, which she turned into an affordable and welcoming store in Bennett where customers shop throughout the year. She has expanded the list of things she offers, to include embroidered items, screen printed shirts, laser engraved items, boutique clothing and more. She is in the process of buying a large enclosed trailer, fashioning it into a mobile boutique so she can hit the road, meeting customers where they are and giving everyone the chance to shop with Alexis Nicole’s Designs.
To date, Alexis Nicole’s Designs has shipped orders to all 50 states. “I have been very blessed since starting my business in 2021. I now work strictly for myself and focus all my time on my business allowing it to expand every single day.”
The best advice she can give anyone considering owning a small business is to stay consistent, provide the best quality items at the best prices and provide the best customer service possible. “It’s important to post on social media every day to continue growing your customer base. Sometimes people from different states will support you more than people you’d think would support you. Offering high quality items at the best price possible will make customers want to come back to you time and time again. Take care of your customers; all it takes is one bad review to negatively impact a small business.”
Alexis would recommend a community college experience to those wishing to start or further their education. “College coursework taught me a lot about operating a business, but it also taught me a lot about managing my time,” explains Alexis. “College required that I complete my work on time and not procrastinate. Achieving success isn’t accidental; you must set your mind on doing something well, adapt as circumstances change and be consistent in how you solve problems.”
Finding personalized items from Alexis Nicole’s Design is easy. You can visit her store at 132 Peachtree Rd. Bennett, NC 27208, or order online at alexisnicolesdesigns.com. See new ideas every day at https://www.facebook.com/p/Alexis-Nicoles-Designs-100082685084045/ Alexis also prides herself on finding perfect solutions for her customers, so you can always call