LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNER ON
REDESIGNING HER DOWNTOWN
NAPERVILLE HOME
It all started when Julie Rybarczyk's headband fell apart in May 2009. The Naperville mom was sitting with friend Alisa Galoozis while their daughters rehearsed at DanceWest Ballet. Julie shared an idea for a new headband with Alisa. Within 24 hours, the two friends had created a vintage headband with handmade fabric rosettes. Friends asked where to buy the headbands and suddenly, Julie and Alisa were in business as Petal Pushers. They began selling items to local boutiques. In March 2010, a sales rep agreed to give them ten minutes to show their line. They had three days to get their presentation ready. "She liked our designs so we began selling nationally to boutiques," says Julie. The two women are adding about twenty new boutiques a week. "We now have a contact in England and hope to be selling in Ireland and England soon," adds Julie. The rosettes are still being assembled on their kitchen tables, but they have hired staff to help fill orders. "Our goal is to move beyond our kitchen tables," says Julie. "Maybe open our own store. This is a labor of love. We want to increase our brand name and expand our product line but we want to remain in boutiques. It has been a busy year."
