We hate to say we told you so, but we thought she was

special when we featured designer Lolita in 2007.

Since then, she has done quite well.

How well?

Last year, her brand sold more than $70 million worth of products.

Yes, $70 million.

A lot has changed since we first featured former Cobb County resident Lolita in the Summer of 2007. At that time, her line of hand-painted glassware featured 62 designs; today the Lolita line includes hundreds of martini, margarita and wine glasses, champagne flutes and beer steins.

She’s also added party games, candles, beach gear and, most recently, acrylic stem and tableware and a line of home textiles and pajamas. She even designed a Pink Ribbon glass and donated $100,000 to the Susan G. Komen foundation from its proceeds in 2009.

Since 2007, more than five million Lolita glasses have been sold around the world, and last year the brand sold more than $70 million worth of its products (more than three times what she sold in 2007).

Lolita’s goal was always to grow her brand into a fully licensed, wholesale company and she’s certainly succeeded at that. Now licensed by nine manufacturers, including two international licensees, Lolita is truly a globally known powerhouse that originated right here in Cobb County.

Although many things have changed in Lolita’s life, including her marital status (she was recently wed) and the location of her permanent residence (she’s relocated to the Northeast), some things will never change.

She still focuses her energy on designing for her target market — women with a casual, fun, life-is-too-short attitude who crave exceptional, classy design. And her design philosophy is still a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to make people smile. “I make people happy,” she says. “I feel like all of my fans are my girlfriends and they know I feel that way.”

In the hopes of getting even closer to her fans, Lolita has been working on a book called Martini Moments. Each chapter is a funny take on a time when a person might have a martini, and each is paired with appetizer recipes.

“Move over Dr. Phil,” Lolita says. “Have a martini and you’ll be just fine.”

Keep a look out for her associated book tour this Fall!

As if the book tour isn’t enough, she’s also got imminent plans for her own line of premium vodka — because nothing goes better with a good martini!

We hate to say we told you so, but Lolita’s charisma and infectious enthusiasm have certainly taken her places. Through it all, though, her single-minded vision for her brand have not wavered. The brilliantly simple idea that she masterminded all those years ago over drinks at the Peabody Hotel has beautifully evolved over time into a full lifestyle brand. Good for Lolita...great for her fans!