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By Leslie A. Rodriguez, Contributing Writer
Ardelle Viviénne Robinson is a true renaissance woman. She holds degrees in Journalism and Communications, Pedology, Social Work and Human Services, not to mention the fact that she is a decorated photographer and entrepreneur. Robinson, who is the owner of designs by viviénne, first contemplated entrepreneurship 4 years ago while living in Hawaii.
It was in Honolulu where Robinson rekindled her interest in taking photographs. It was also at this time that a good friend convinced her that the best way to share her work would be to create note cards featuring her photos. Deciding to follow her passion as well as her friend’s advice Robinson became involved in the photography industry and created a small home based business that would become designs by viviénne.
Robinson creates and markets embossed-bordered note cards with individual original photographs on one side and a space for writing on the other. The prints that she uses one the cards are also available in larger sizes that are suitable for framing.
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Ardelle Viviénne Robinson at Seton Hill University's Women In Art show. |
According to Robinson, her greatest sources of inspiration were her grandmother, for who the company was named, and her mother.
“My grandmother was blind, but was also one of the strongest women I ever knew. My mom has had two breast cancer surgeries, lung cancer, and aneurysm surgery, and subsequent repair on them, but she never lets these things slow her down,” she said.
Along with being an entrepreneur, Robinson is also a writer for several local area publications including Onyx Woman Magazine, the New Pittsburgh Courier, and Talk Magazine.
Over the years Robinson has been honored by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, as well as the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Her photographs have been featured in several art exhibits and most recently she had a photograph featured in Seton Hill University’s Women in Art show.
Robinson credits much of her success to resources that have been provided to her from the YWCA’s Enterprising Women’s Entrepreneurial and Peer Lending programs, the Hawaii Women’s Business Center, the Samoan Service Providers Association and Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify Women’s Business Center.
“The secret to my success is my determination to get things done and get them done right. Also, to prove to myself that I can accomplish whatever it is I set my mind to,” said Robinson.
Although Robinson admits that it is getting easier for women to break into business as entrepreneurs she does note that women often have difficulty convincing male peers of their abilities.
“I believe the women are still fighting battles when it comes to being taken seriously in their business endeavors, particularly within the banking industry,” said Robinson.
Aspirations and goals are two things that Robinson is not lacking. In ten years she hopes to be an established professional photographer that is recognized for her work. She is currently working on the launch of a website for designs by viviénne that will showcase her designs and photographs.
For more information on designs by viviénne please contact:
Ardelle Viviénne Robinson
designs by viviénne
PO Box 23093
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-6093
(412) 681-1113
January 2008 |
