We had the good fortune of connecting with Charlene Sholes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlene, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Lettie’s Custom Prints was initially started to help my husbands business Royal Vines with the production of merchandising for his wine business. We had look into several different options but was very costly for a small business who was looking for a few items. I had started my own business to help my family, but also to explore my creative side. I have a Bachelors in Marketing and I have mostly worked on it to do events. I have always loved the idea of personalizing items to people’s individual personalities, and seeing their smiles when they open the gift.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
By trade, I am a teacher, and social worker, I have worked in Miami, FL and Houston, TX working to keep families together. I have a serving mentality to always want to give back to my community. I am most proud of the fact that I have my own business. For many years I never saw myself as a creator, or owning my OWN business, but I loved producing events for people to show my appreciation and love. I am most happy to be my own boss. To get where I have been professionally I went to Johnson & Wales University were I obtained my Bachelors in Marketing, Minor in International Business, and my Masters in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University, School was not easy, but it was worth it, and I enjoy my careers. I have learned to count on my village, for so long I kept trying to do it on my own, and I have learned to ask my village for help. My brand is dedicated to my daughter, to be proud, beautiful and always believe in your dreams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Sunday- We would do a brunch at the Wharf in Fort Lauderdale. Monday- Happy Hour at Bahama Breeze.

Tuesday- I love my backyard and hanging out there so a couple night we would do an night with some wines, charcuterie, and some girl talk.
Wednesday- Go to Zitz Sum and grab some amazing dumplings and grilled pork chops.

Thursday- Head to Wynwood, grab some tacos or Mac and cheese (House of Mac) and walk around the Wynwood Garden

Friday- I love Pho, so I would head over to Pho Mi Togo in North Miami Beach and grab some food, then do wines and charcuterie at the house.

Saturday- In the day time I would head up to Tamarac and grab some doubles from Tabanka-Trini Kitchen. Later in the day, grab some ice cream at Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream one night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to my husband Ray Sholes. I started my business in the height of the pandemic, with one less income in the home a new house, and uncertainty in my mind. He told me to make a budget of everything I needed, and we would make it happen. I believed in the future of my dreams and I manifested that if this is meant for me, then it will be. Here I am several months later still going strong, and happy to see my business flourishing. I love working with small business and adding extra value to their already established business.

Website: www.lettiescustomprints.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lettiescustomprints

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.