#MompreneurMonday: Meet Jill!

Meet Jill, everyone! 

First, I just have to say, I absolutely adore this chick.  As a person, a mom, a Mompreneur, and a business, she's fantastic.

Jill married her "bearded best friend" almost 10 years ago.  She says they met on a couch one evening and shared a high-five, and that was it!  They were meant to be.  Fast forward.  Today she's a busy SAH Mompreneur and together they have a son, Baron, who is 2.

Fun Fact about Jill:  Her home is located in the middle of 3 Christmas tree farms in the hills outside of Olympia, WA.

How charming is that?? 
Will you be adding fresh trees to your holiday inventory, Jill?

I discovered Jill's heartmade business, "Brave Sunday," a few months ago on Instagram.  I saw her product featured in a Happy Mommy Box and thought it was a big-time jewelry brand, until I stuck around long enough to realize she's a one-woman show, designing, handcrafting and promoting EVERY piece herself, with a fairly recent launch date. 

Jill told us, "Brave Sunday officially opened in March of this year.  The idea of opening a handmade shop had been bouncing around my head for a little over a year prior to opening.  Each piece is made right in the middle of my home at our dining room table."

I'm in love!  I think I need a few of these bracelets in my life.

When asked about her "why," Jill said:

"Shortly after my son was born, I struggled with the idea of returning to the world of cubicles, working as a buyer.  I wanted to be there for my son and be present in all of his milestones."

While not all moments have been easy in Jill's journey, supporting the needs of her family is the biggest reason she continues.

"I want to provide income for my family and provide for my son.  I want him to be proud of me for building something all on my own and being successful in doing what I love."

My favorite thing Jill said was this: 

"The best thing about following my dreams, is showing my son that it is possible to do what you love."  

Beautiful. Absolutely. 

Brave Sunday has allowed Jill to connect with others and grow friendships beyond her expectations, providing a network of customers and other "makers" who are always willing to help her and share advice when she needs it most.  

 "Running a handmade shop requires a lot of support from those around you, and having a great community to run to for help is truly the best!"

Truer words were never spoken!  

One of the things I love most about Jill is her down-to-earth attitude.  She is always open and inviting, and is accepting of shortcomings on behalf of herself or others.  She's been seriously patient with me in interviewing her, too!  Her kindness is evident in the way she operates her business, but it was made even clearer to me when I interviewed her. 

"The hardest part about being a Mompreneur," she says, "is the self-doubt and comparison.  It can take a toll on you, and I believe any unhappiness flows into all areas of your life, especially as a mom.  I try really hard not to let it get to me, but it really is just human nature."  Wow. #speaktruth

I've tried to narrow down my favorite parts of Jill's interview, but she seriously had so much good, deep stuff to share, I wanted you to read it all! 

On top of being a fantastic person, her product is an example of beautiful craftsmanship.  

"All pieces in my shop are handmade by me with the utmost care.  I test all of my products and if I wouldn't wear it or buy it, it doesn't make the cut.  I want my customers to receive quality!"

"I spend most of my evenings up late working, sacrificing sleep.  I spend nap time working as well, sacrificing a clean house.  I don't have time to prep meals or to be a supermom.  I am hoping in the future I will be able to hire someone to help me with the business side more, so I can have time to really tend to my life."  

Shop Brave Sunday HERE, and follow her on Instagram HERE! 

- This Week Only -

Jill is gifting you 15% OFF your entire order! 

(Use Code: Mompreneur15)

Offer Ends 11/1/14

And...

One Lucky Winner will receive 

this Champagne & Silver Bloom Necklace!!

To Enter, Simply:

a) Follow BOTH on Instagram: BraveSunday & MompreneurNetwork

b) FIND this photo on MompreneurNetwork's Instagram

c) COMMENT your favorite item by Brave Sunday

d) TAG 3 friends who will also LOVE Brave Sunday! 

THANK YOU, JILL!  

I am so excited for the opportunity to feature Brave Sunday,

and even more excited about receiving 15% OFF this week!  

Happy Shopping! 

xx,

Chara

#MompreneurMonday: Meet Karen!

Happy Monday! 

Monday Fun Facts: Did you know that more than 50% of employees are late for work on Mondays, and that more online shopping AND vacation planning is done on Mondays than any other day of the week?  

Interesting!  

No need to dread Mondays when you look at it as an opportunity to meet someone new! Like Karen, the highlight of this week's #MompreneurMonday!

Karen is wife to Andrew, mom to 6 month old Corey.
Fun Fact about Andrew & Karen: "Andrew and I were contestants on Four Weddings Canada when we got married 3 years ago!  We lost by 0.5....it was pretty crazy!"

In addition to her family life, Karen is the savvy owner & busy operator of Baby Droollery.  Her small business offers a collection of heartmade goods & accessories for trendy tots, available in a variety of prints and styles, but never mass produced.

"Baby Droollery is all handmade by me!  My little office is my kitchen table of which I have pretty much taken over, except for the far end where we try to eat dinner!"

The shop is a simple space in her own home, consisting of her sewing machine and a variety of little cubbies to house the material and packaging supplies, keeping the mess to a minimum while having a functional work space.

If you order from Karen, chances are you won't be seeing the same bib on another little tyke at your next play-date.

"I make 6 items of each fabric, so items are pretty unique for each customer!  It's never a mass produced product...it's always made with love and attention to detail."

Karen began heartmaking her products as a result of her own baby's needs.  She told us: "I went to the store to buy bibs, etc. but they were always too small and too cheaply made.  I went online and found they were perfect!...but just too expensive.  So, I jumped on my sewing machine and gave it a try.  I loved the first bib I made and couldn't wait to try it out on Corey!  After I posted pictures of it on Facebook, friends and family had nothing but positive feedback, so I made a few more to gift to family and friends as a way to try-out my new product on people who could give me honest feedback.  Soon, everyone was suggesting I start selling my pieces...and so my Etsy shop was born!"

When asked how she balances Baby Droollery and the reality of her 6 month old, Corey, Karen said:

"It's definitely added to the hectic life of parenting.  It isn't easy, but I've always enjoyed multi-tasking. It never feels like a 'job' I'm maintaining, but more like a hobby I truly love doing!"

Karen's favorite thing about her business is when customers share their product photos.

"I love seeing all the munchkins wearing something I have created. I love seeing it as something people really appreciate and can use. Our children are precious to us, and I am honored that parents can find my products helpful for their darlings!"

Karen operates her business during Corey's afternoon naps and often times in the evening once Corey is in bed for the night.

"Depending on the day, I might be sitting at my sewing machine until midnight!"

Karen told us, "I actually use the product I create, which means I can relate to the needs of my customers.  I'm not just the designer/creator, but a customer myself.  It's awesome to see how Baby Droollery has taken off because of this!"

Karen offers a variety of fabric choices, for both girls & boys, including gender neutral options. And, her shop is more than just bibs!  She has recently added to her shop a variety of toy straps and security/carseat blankets - these items being her latest most handy products she's enjoying for Corey.

"The toy straps are a simple, inexpensive accessory to keep their favorite toys from dropping while on the go.  The security/carseat blankets offer a loop for easy attachment to a stroller or carseat, or just for your little one to grab onto, all made in a soft minky fabric."

I love the way Karen uses trendy fabrics for her pieces (I'm loving the plaid most!) and I love the way her business name sounds almost like "Baby Jewelry" - it's adorable! Almost as cute as Corey...isn't he just edible??

This Week Only

Karen is offering an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT 

when you shop her Etsy store!  

Click HERE to browse her shop!

{Enter Code: MOMPRENEUR10 at check out to receive 10% OFF your entire purchase!}

She's also hosting a GIVEAWAY!

One lucky winner will receive a set of THREE handmade Baby Droollery bibs!!

{Winner will get to choose any 3 bibs & fabric!}

***To Enter the Giveaway***

1.  Follow BOTH accounts on Instagram: 

a) Mompreneuer_Network  b) BabyDroollery

2. Comment on the GIVEAWAY photo on Instagram 

(found on IG: Mompreneur_Network) 

a) Your favorite product in her shop, 

OR a product you'd like to see in her shop! 

b) TAG 3 friends who would love Baby Droollery!

Giveaway ends on SATURDAY, October 25th

THANK YOU, KAREN!!!

{Be sure to connect with Karen to tell her how much you appreciate her generous discount & giveaway!  Find her on Facebook HERE & Instagram HERE}

Cheers!

Chara Noelle