Show Notes:

Elise’s links:

• Desert Accents’ Etsy shop: www.desertaccents.etsy.com
• Desert Accents Instagram @desert_accents

Episode Intro:

Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday. This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas and today’s guest is Elise Clausen, another Vegas local.

I met Elise in 2019 when we both worked at Origin climbing gym in Henderson. I learned that she also guided in Red Rock for Mountain Skills. In 2020 the gym changed ownership and the pandemic hit. Elise lost her job and had a lot of free time on her hands. A crafter at heart, she started making jewelry and handbags, selling them online. Her business Desert Accents took off quickly, and within months it replaced her full time income.

I admire Elise’s art work and was curious about her career change, so I invited her on the show to learn more. We talked about how she started her path in outdoor education and guiding, found her specialty in programming and coordinating large groups, and how she transitioned to entrepreneurship and craftmanship.

These days she still does some guiding, and is continually working to improve both her craft, and her business. Now please enjoy this interview.

Things We Talked about:

• Elise’s entry to guiding
• Went to Univ of Idaho and managed school’s climbing gym and assistant managed school’s outdoor programs
• Came to Vegas, found a job with City of Las Vegas and settled down
• Worked at adaptive programs with kids (12~17 years old) who were cognitive impaired
• Traced back to Elise outdoor work history
• Specialized in programming and coordinating large groups
• Pandemic changed Elise’s career path
• Founded Desert Accents and created nature-inspired accessories
• Used to apprentice blacksmith and had always enjoyed making stuff
• Would Elise come back to guiding?
• What did Elise think about her current lifestyle?
• What would Elise want the listeners to take away from this episode?