DREAM TEAM

BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF ADDELISE DESIGN STUDIO, YOU’LL FIND TWO WOMEN PRIORITIZING CUSTOM EXPERIENCES AND THEIR FAMILIES

By Louise Treeny Photos provided by Addelise

nside the pristine room at Addelise’s new

Ispace, one just gets the feeling that beautiful products are created there. Creativity flows within the airy studio, which is composed of natural light, plush velvet chairs, tasteful wall decor and a comfortable leather couch. The Addelise team moved into its brick-and-mortar space last September and has been blown away by the show of support from the Geneva business community. “We’ve felt very welcome since Day 1,” says Jessica Dempsey, creative director. Dempsey works alongside Addelise owner Tanya Smith; together they provide branding, web design and print pieces for artisans, boutiques and women-owned businesses. Their work centers around what Smith describes as “high-end custom creative.” “We take time to develop a relationship with clients,” Dempsey says. “It’s not just logos.” After a consultation and extensive research behind the brand, the Addelise team can design everything from entire storefronts to the bags you receive when you make a purchase, often working with companies long-term to add to their branding gradually. Kennay Farms Distilling, Wiltse's Farm and Studio Onyx are just three of many local brands Addelise has helped develop. Smith started the company almost six years ago after seeing her daughter ride the bus for the first time. “Addison stepped onto the school bus and time stood still,” she recounts on the company’s website. “It was a pivotal moment in Tanya’s career to step out of the corporate world and into creating Addelise — helping other businesses thrive and grow.” Her daughters, Addison and Elise, were the “inspiring factor” behind the company and, of course, its name. Family didn’t just inspire the company, though; it has continued to shape how Dempsey and Smith, both moms, prioritize their time. The company has been built around family values, says Smith. “Putting that first helps us be more organized,” she notes. With this in mind, the team strives to both create tailored products for their clients and be present for milestone family moments. As a women-owned business interested in empowering other women to follow in the same path, Addelise has found connection with the Geneva Women in Business group through the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. The two women met years earlier through work at their former companies; they quickly became friends and started discussing a way to work together in the future. Dempsey joined Addelise about three years after Smith started the company. “It does feel more like we’re family,” says Smith. Adds Dempsey: “We’re pretty lucky.”