Hillsdale Mom Runs Business From Home

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When Eliza Sutnick made a pair of fabric dolls for her children, she had no idea that it would grow into a children's clothing business that would reach across the country.

Sutnick, who worked in the fashion industry for 12 years, lives in Hillsdale with her husband, three children and the family dog. She made two dolls for her children — the kids named them Ali and Joe — and soon after other parents started asking her to make custom dolls for their children. Last year, they also requested Sutnick make matching outfits for the dolls and children, which led to a line of tutus and shirts.

One year later, Sutnick estimates she prints and decorates about 450 shirts per season in her Hillsdale home under the label Ali & Joe. Each piece of clothing is hand-made by Sutnick on her porch and in her children's playroom, both of which allow the stay-at-home mom to keep an eye on her children while she works.

"It happened sort of accidentally, but on purpose," Sutnick said.

Ali & Joe products are available in eight stores around New Jersey, including and in Westwood. The clothes are also available in New York City and Connecticut.

One of the advantages of making every piece by hand is that they can be different for each store. A "Jersey Girl" shirt with a stencil of the garden state will be available here this fall, while "NYC Girl" shirts with the Chrysler Building will be available across the Hudson River. Customers can also choose what level of decoration they want. Basic shirts come with the stenciled designs, but patches and rhinestones are also available on some designs. Each shirt ends up being a little different from any other.

"You kind of develop a relationship with each one," Sutnick said.

Sutnick is currently preparing a line to show at a trade show at the Javits Center next year and has plans to reach out elsewhere, including as far away as Los Angeles. Still, there are limits for how large the company can grow when Sutnick runs it out of her home.

"I can't just jet set off to L.A.," Sutnick said.

To learn more about Ali & Joe, or place an order, visit the company's website. Their Facebook page is also a good way to see upcoming products and share feedback.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor James Leggate at JMLeggate@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.