Business Q&A: Starfish Creations

Started by Merrick resident Ellyn Ladd out of her home back in 2000, Starfish Creations eventually overtook her day job as her business grew and grew.

Offering a wide variety of party supplies as well as tie-dye clothing as sold through her website, Starfish Creations only looks to continue its success leading into 2012 and beyond.

Ladd spoke to Patch about what makes owning your own business in Merrick special.

What kind of items do you offer?

I do announcements and invitations and I do party favors. I also do tie-dyed clothing, which is a big part of my business.

What go you into this type of business?

I used to own a cookie company and then I had kids. I needed a job where I could be were my kids were and so before my daughter was born, I started selling announcements on the web.

I don't make the announcements myself – I act as an intermediary between the customer and the company making the cards. So, if someone needs invitations, they come to me and we look online and in books until we find just what they need.

I’ve always made tie-dyed items myself, so that just became part of the business as well.

What would you say your most popular item is?

Tie-dyed sweatshirts! As for invitations, I can’t really pick one as being the most popular, since they’re all so different.

Are your sales just through the Internet?

No, actually most of my sales are through word-of-mouth. Somebody always gets to me through somebody else, even though the Internet is a huge, great thing, people still want to see things and tough things and so they make an appointment and come to me.

What do you like about operating in the Merrick area?

The Merrick clientele has been very good to me. I have very loyal customers who come to me from all over for clothing, tie-dye and invitations. I have many repeat customers. But for me as a mom, it’s a great business, because when there’s work, there’s work, and when there’s not, I’m busy with something else.