Founder of stationery and accessories brand Elyse Breanne Design and the Durham-based store Mill & Meadow
At Duke: “I was running my business on the side while attending law school at Duke. I started sharing my story of attending law school while running a small business on TikTok and that helped my business grow exponentially. I ended up going into a totally different industry than my degree, but what I learned in law school has absolutely shaped how I approach growing my business.”
On success: "I always wanted to go to law school and become a lawyer, but I also dreamed of being an artist when I was little. While I can’t do two jobs at the same time, I feel like I was able to pursue each of my interests, and it is a dream come true that I am now able to make art every day as my job.”
The future: “My business has continued to grow rapidly since I graduated, and I hope to keep expanding each year. I love having a storefront in downtown Durham because it really makes me feel a part of the community here, so I hope to keep that going and maybe even expand my local footprint in the future.”
Fun fact: She’s still connected with Duke Law School and has designed items for admissions packets there. “It means a lot to me that the Duke community has been so encouraging despite the fact that I’m not pursuing a career directly related to my degree.”