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Barbara Ahlfield
Barbara’s hand-painted illustrations and signature glamour art style are the heart of SISUMOI. Over the past 40 years, Barbara’s art has been highly published, commissioned, awarded and shown globally. With a 30 year career as one of the few leading female American fashion illustrators, Barbara has achieved enduring success in an expansive career in the retail advertising world. Specializing in “image-making” fashion illustration, she has been the lead illustrator for many of the major department stores in the United States for four decades. A partial list of clients include: Coty, Dillards
Visit Barbara and Alexandra at https://sisumoi.com/Â
Visit Business Mentorship; Keepin’ It Real for our live and unsripted discussion with this Mother/Daughter team or listen to the podcast
Susuomi, Mother/Daughter Team Barbara and Alexandra Ahlfield
- Contributed By: Barbara Ahlfield
Tell us a little something about your business...
We are a mother-daughter team bringing our award-winning, hand-painted illustrations from the gallery to the street by printing them on apparel, accessories and home goods.
​​Our fashion art statement pieces have a signature glamour style that’s for the individual who wants to stand out and who is unsatisfied with everyday, unremarkable options.
​​Sisumoi is about using one’s strength to overcome adversity and follow your dreams. Owning a Sisumoi piece is a reminder to activate your gifts and live your best life.
When was your lightbulb moment?
Alexandra completed her MBA in 2019 and knew she wanted to take her sales, channel partnerships and marketing experience to eventually run her own company. A year later, SISUMOI was born.
Over the course of five years of traveling with her family to art shows, it became clear that the art world was changing significantly. This idea had been evolving since 2014. Art enthusiasts desired affordable options that went beyond the walls of their homes. They were receptive to new ways of owning art and were curious about the story behind the work.
Noting the shift in the art world, the family took a new approach to the way their art was marketed. They printed a 5’x4′ oil painting on a cup, then a phone cover, then a tote bag and fashion art statement pieces were born. Barbara’s art now emerged from the gallery walls to the street on apparel, tech accessories and home goods.
Alexandra guides the direction of the team in marketing, selling and building the brand from a B2C to include a B2B wholesale offering. For more information: Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn.
What are your three words of advice?
Instinct– Trust your gut- it never steer you wrong!
Responsibility– We have a fleeting opportunity to make a difference in this life and live our gifts. Hold yourself accountable!
Fulfillment– Success is designed and defined by living your best life
Three words of advice...
Instinct, Responsibility, Fulfillment
Barbara’s hand-painted illustrations and signature glamour art style are the heart of SISUMOI. Over the past 40 years, Barbara’s art has been highly published, commissioned, awarded and shown globally. With a 30 year career as one of the few leading female American fashion illustrators, Barbara has achieved enduring success in an expansive career in the retail advertising world. Specializing in “image-making” fashion illustration, she has been the lead illustrator for many of the major department stores in the United States for four decades. A partial list of clients include: Coty, Dillards
Visit Barbara and Alexandra at https://sisumoi.com/Â
Visit Business Mentorship; Keepin’ It Real for our live and unsripted discussion with this Mother/Daughter team or listen to the podcast
“May your legacy create a footprint of success for the next person who steps into your shoes”
