Local Voices
Small Business Spotlight: Art and Style Decor
New London Patch introduces you to an event decorator who makes people's parties and weddings look and feel beautiful.
Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.
- Business: Art & Style Decor
- Owners: Maureen Velazquez
- Website: Art & Style Decor Facebook
- Address: 99 Willetts Ave. New London, CT.
How did you come up with the name?
When I first started the business the name was Art & Style Balloons because we used to do balloon arches and balloon sculptures. Over the years we started decorating weddings and other events and changed the name to Art & Style Decor. I think decorating is a type of art and you have to have an unique style. That’s where the name comes from.
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Why start a business in this town?
I moved to New London in 1996 when I was 16 years old, 20 years later I’m still living here, married, raising my two children here and a business owner. I think New London is a small town but with a great potential.
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What business are you in?
I’m an event designer. I decorate all kind of events, weddings, baby showers, Sweet 16 parties and more.
What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?
In this business I work mostly weekends. Sometimes my kids want to go out and do something as a family and I have to work. Sacrificing the time I have for my family is the biggest challenge.
What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?
My proudest achievement is seen my business growing every day and people calling us from different cities in Connecticut because they want us to decorate their weddings or special events. We even decorated weddings in New York. Also now having some family members working and being involved in the business makes us very proud.
How does your business give back to the community?
We donate our time and services to a lot of fundraisers, schools, churches and more. God has blessed me so much and I’m glad I can bless others.
Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.
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