Carlye Thornton | Lariat Photo Editor
Reporter
Arlington senior Alexandra Morales has combined her love for crafts and Christian missionary work with a new business, Two Ten Creation. Morales’ products can be found at twotencreation.webs.com.
What is Two Ten Creation all about?
I make headbands, hair ties, monogrammed bags and blankets. I can make them in any customized fabric or design preferred.
What made you pick the name Two Ten Creation?
When I was deciding whether or not I wanted to do this, I started digging into God’s word and stumbled across the verse Ephesians 2:10. It says “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
What made you decide to start your own business?
Originally, I just made a headband for fun as a birthday present. Later, I heard about a mission trip going to Uganda and really wanted to be a part of it so I started selling headbands as a way to raise funds.
Did the business fund your trip and make everything go more smoothly?
No, it didn’t work out for me as planned. My goal was to be able to go on the trip but once I realized that I wouldn’t be able to, I was able to help fund a large amount of somebody’s trip so they could go share Jesus with kids in Africa.
What has been your direction with Two Ten since you funded that trip?
After the trip, I still wanted to use Two Ten Creation as a vessel furthering God’s purpose: to make his love known. I stumbled upon an incredible organization whose mission it is to let women know what it means to experience God’s love amidst deep brokenness and knew I wanted to provide funds for them.
What exactly is this organization?
The organization is called Grace House, and I now donate 30 percent of my earnings to them. Grace House facilitates a healing process for women who have struggled with drug abuse as an escape from other realities such as domestic violence or human trafficking. They take on six women at most at one time and work with them through a yearlong process to get to the roots of their addiction and find freedom with the grace of Jesus.
How did you hear about this organization?
One of my friends in my lifegroup told me about it because she volunteered there on a weekly basis. I got an opportunity to go visit and learn more about the organization and loved it.
How have sales been going as of this semester?
Sales vary depending on how much I market the headbands. The more effort I put into it, the more I sell. Headbands are kind of an impulse buy so I just sell to whoever I run into. I was selling at Harts n Crafts for a while until they closed.
How has the business affected your life?
It has really just inspired me. God made me and is using me to make other creations for his glory and for his purpose. And I just think that’s awesome.
What are you hoping for the future of Two Ten?
I’m hoping to expand by selling in some boutiques around Waco just to get more exposure.
What would be your advice to any college students wanting to start their own business endeavor?
I would say just go for it. Don’t put it off. It is a ton of work – I have to put daily time into it to sell – but when you are doing something you love and are passionate about, it is so fun and so rewarding.
