Lindsay Johnson-Mateo created Simply Elegant Designs to help clients turn special occasions into memorable experiences. However, building the company from the ground up came with challenges she was not sure how to navigate on her own.
Johnson-Mateo started the business with the goal of bringing an elegant, high-end look to weddings, parties, and other milestone celebrations. She also wanted to create financial opportunities for her family while maintaining the flexibility to care for her infant son.
“I needed a business model that provided both strong potential, and the flexibility to put my family first,” Johnson-Mateo said.
Making the business official meant stepping into unfamiliar territory. Johnson-Mateo had to navigate the registration process, find a way to pay for professional equipment, and learn how to pursue funding, all while trying to create a plan to present her vision to others.
Johnson-Mateo turned to the Small Business Center at Stanly Community College for guidance. Through individual counseling and training, she learned how to establish Simply Elegant Designs and build the strong foundation that she needed for her business.
Cassidy Ball, Stanly Community College’s Small Business Center Director, helped Johnson-Mateo understand the process of registering an LLC and obtaining an employer identification number. Ball continued working with her as she entered the Stanly Startup Pitch Competition, a training program that helps new entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses and compete for startup funding. With the new skills she learned, Johnson-Mateo turned her business plan into a pitch that she confidently presented to a panel of local business leaders.
Johnson-Mateo went on to win first place in the competition and received a $1,500 prize. The funding helped her purchase her first commercial tent and cover the cost of forming the LLC, allowing her to move the business forward sooner than she could have through personal savings alone.
Simply Elegant Designs officially launched in June 2026. As a mobile business, the company brings event design and decor directly to clients, creating customized settings for celebrations at venues, parks, private properties, and backyards.
“Building this business from the ground up has been an incredibly fulfilling journey,” Johnson-Mateo said. “Seeing the vision come to life, having the legal backing to proudly call myself a business owner and gaining the community support to elevate our local milestone events makes every single step of the startup process entirely worth it.”
Stanly Community College’s Small Business Center supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses through training, individual counseling, and business resources. For more information, call 704.991.0355 or visit www.stanly.edu/about/small-business-center.
Learn more about Simply Elegant Designs: @simplyellegantdesigns on Instagram.
Learn more about our 2027 Stanly Startup Pitch Competition: https://forms.gle/gtb58Z1NY9DL79JU6