Businesswomen of the Week 
Louise Green - Milliner
http://www.louisegreen.com
Louise Green is known for her beautiful, well-made, vintage-inspired hats. Born & raised in London, England, Louise moved to the Unites States in 1984 and began selling her hats in exclusive boutiques in Los Angeles, California. Twenty-four years later, Louise Green hats are consistently featured in top fashion magazines, popular television shows like Desperate Housewives, and on the heads of many A-list celebrities. Louise Green is also a three-time recipient of the Millinery Designer of the Year Award presented by her peers in the Headwear Information Bureau, New York fashion press and trade executives.
 Your hats are fabulous! How do you come up with ideas for each season's collection?
Each collection flows into the next. I do attend trend and color presentations to see what will be in the stores clothes-wise for the season I am designing for. I have a niche business. I know my customers and what they like.
You emigrated from England to America. Hats are more popular in that country. Did you have much difficulty finding a market for your hats in the United States?
I didn't know at that time that hats were more or less popular in the USA. I just made some hats and people loved them.
 I really believe my business has been guided by something much bigger than me.
Did success in America happen overnight?
No, it built slowly and comfortably.
How did you initially finance your company?
I started with $500 and never took a loan.
The craftsmanship is stellar. Do you outsource the work or do it in-house? 
We do everything in-house and I can spot a missed stitch or different dye lot at 50 yards.
Louise Green hats are often featured on television shows and in movies and magazines. How were you able to get your products into the hands of celebrities, fashion editors and stylists?
The stylists often come to the trade shows or contact us through a few directories we are in. We also have freeway signage. Many people find us from seeing us off the freeway.
Do you plan to expand the Louise Green brand into other fashion accessory products besides hats?
No. We do show pins and scarves each season. My love is the hats.
Your work is considered "creative." How do you balance your creative side with the day-to-day needs of your business?
My husband, Lawrence, is my business partner and father of our three grown children. We do everything together. He is the business side.
You've won several awards for your design work. You have a successful company. What achievement in the 20 years you have been in business has made you the most proud?
I am most proud of the reputation we have built and that we have lasted for all these years. We have the most wonderful employees and customers.
What advice do you have for Bold…Beautiful…Christian™ women aspiring to start a business?
Do what you love. Don't compromise. Do it with honesty, integrity and passion!!
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(Photos courtesy of Louise Green)
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