Originally from Manchester, Kentucky, Haley Roby moved to Owensboro in 2016 after marrying her husband. Dedicating most of her time to being a mother, she created Leigh Olivia Designs this past fall to find joy and development opportunities outside the home.
Leigh Olivia Designs offers a diverse range of products, all are available for purchase on Etsy or Facebook. From meticulously crafted headbands and hair bows to stylish appliqué shirts and unique jewelry, there’s something for everyone. Roby is proud to share that her collection caters to all, with most items available in sizes ranging from infant to women’s plus.
“I was inspired by leftover Liberty of London fabric someone had given me,” Roby said. “Their fabric has a classic and gorgeous look, and I was trying to think of something to do with it since I didn’t have much with which to work. I decided that it would make a pretty bow. So, I started with bows and then delved into headbands since they are so popular right now.”
Roby also offers curated vintage clothing, wall hangings, tote bags, and other “odds and ends.” She said she uses high-quality fabrics to focus on classic and fun looks at a reasonable price.
“I love offering customers cute and classic items they can afford,” she said. “My most popular item is the changeable charm headbands for ages 4 to preteens. The changeable charm headband allows young girls to express themselves by picking their own charm combinations and changing them out. I have not seen anyone else making a product like this.”
A unique feature of Leigh Olivia Designs is how Roby puts non-slip grips on all baby and toddler bows to prevent them from slipping out of delicate hair.
Roby said she takes pride in being 100% female-owned and offering inclusive sizes. While being a mother is incredibly important to her, she appreciates the new venture’s balance.
“As my kids started school 3-5 days a week, and I began to work part-time, I would get stressed and feel like my family was getting in the way of my self-development,” she said. “I was reminded of the Mother Theresa quote, ‘If you want to make the world a better place, go home and love your family.’”
She said she finally realized her family was crucial to offering a sense of self-fulfillment, and she has been considerably less stressed since making Leigh Olivia Designs her professional focus.
“I am fortunate to be able to work at my own pace and create how much or how little I want,” she said. “I am self-taught, so I work to create a pattern until I have perfected it. I also watch lots of YouTube tutorials for inspiration.”
