Small Business Star- WAISTEDWITHARII

I’m always on the hunt to showcase a new small business, especially one’s that I haven’t showcased yet. Then one day it’s like Waistedwitharii fell into my lap, well my for you page. Not only is she gorgeous, but Arianna Spathos is the brains & beauty behind her beaded jewelry brand. From making the beads herself to modeling and even behind the scenes, Arianna does it all. Let’s get waisted as we take a dive on the star behind the business.

Tell me about yourself and do not be afraid to brag
Hi! My name is Ari, and I’m a multidisciplinary creative. I run my own waist-bead and jewelry brand while also working across painting, music, photography, and visual storytelling. Creating is where I feel most grounded, whether that’s designing pieces,
capturing moments, or building concepts from scratch.What really drives me is using creativity to inspire and bring people together. I love building community, especially
around self-expression and confidence, and turning ideas into experiences that feel meaningful and personal. I thrive when I’m creating with intention and purpose, and I’m
not afraid to fully commit to my vision.

Was this something you have always been passionate about or something that came out of the blue?
It was something that came out of the blue and slowly turned into a real passion. About three summers ago, my friend Faith introduced me to waist beads when we were making some to style for a vacation. I immediately loved the concept, but at the time it was purely for fun. When I returned to my college town and started wearing them out, girls constantly asked me where I got them. When I told them I made them myself, they would ask if I could make some for them too. That’s when I realized there was an opportunity to turn something creative into something meaningful. I started selling them casually at local club and creative events in Baton Rouge (shoutout FXY), and over time it grew into selling them daily on my campus for two to three hours at a time, often completely selling out. What stood out the most to me wasn’t just the sales, but the community that formed, connecting with girls, building confidence, and creating relationships even with those who didn’t purchase but followed along and supported the brand.

What made you want to start the business?
What really made me want to start the business was seeing how confident and comfortable waist beads made girls feel, especially when styling their outfits and being out in public. Over time, I noticed how something so simple could completely shift the way someone carried themselves, and that impact meant a lot to me. At the same time, I was finishing college and fully responsible for paying my own tuition, so I wanted to
create a way to support myself financially while doing something I genuinely loved. Turning a creative outlet into a business felt both practical and purposeful, and it
motivated me to take it seriously and keep growing it.

Was it easy to start? If so, why or why not?
It wasn’t as easy as it looked. There were days when I would put my all into physical pop-ups expecting great results and not even making one sale after spending all the money I had to even participate in the event. It was really hard to not let those moments define the whole point of what I was trying to build.

What’s your favorite part of the business
My favorite part is probably connecting with all of the Waisted Gurls I have added to the group chat so far. I absolutely love meeting all of these beautiful and crazy creative girls
who support my vision and are always willing to help & network. And of course, I also LOVE customizing crazy online orders that I have to get really creative and patient with.

What’s the hardest part?
The hardest part for me has definitely been separating the emotional and creative side from the business side. This brand started as my art and something very personal, and
over time it’s grown into both a community and a business. Balancing those two things can be challenging. I care deeply about building a welcoming, inclusive community for
all girls, but I’m also intentional about protecting the core of what started it all, my one-of-one, handcrafted waist beads. Making sure I don’t lose that original concept while continuing to grow the brand and the network has definitely been the hardest, but also the most important part of the journey.

Is this something fully supported by yourself or are others
supporting you on this?

Waisted with Ari was fully created and supported by myself. I had the help of friends in the beginning helping me with photoshoots, but other than that, just me for now!

What are the pros and cons to your business?
Pros: strong community, good creative outlet, rewarding, fun
Cons: work overload when busy, off seasons

What is a difficulty in owning a business like yours that others may not understand?
A challenge people don’t always see is that every part of Waisted with Ari is created and managed by me. From concept development and creative direction to bead-making, shoot planning, styling, photography, editing, and posting, it’s all done by one person (me!) Carrying every role and responsibility can be intense, but it’s also what makes the brand feel authentic and worth it.

Is there anything you would change about your business why or why not? What would it be and why?
Probably the access to online ordering. I would love to upgrade our website and online ordering process this year to make it easier for girls to order.

Who is your dream client and why?
Nadia Lee Cohen or Addison Rae!!!!
I think their aesthetics are everything I look for when shooting for Waisted With Ari

Any tips for people/small business owners that want to follow in your footsteps?
DO NOT get discouraged when it seems like nobody believes in your vision. Sometimes, I still have moments like these but I realize that It only takes ME believing in ME in
order to convince everyone else.

Ari isn’t only the CEO of her brand, but also the photographer, marketing person, puts the orders together and so much more. The girl truly does it all and that is how you know that the products are genuinely made with a lot of care and love. Businesses where the owners are genuinely careful with the making of their products and want them to be perfect for each customer that orders is something that makes businesses thrive & flourish and will take them to new heights. Don’t forget to follow Ari on instagram and order one of her custom waist beads that are literally made just for you. Have you ever ordered from Ari? Will you be going to? Let me know in the comments below!