Moms on Mondays - Kim from Sweet Daisy Products

This week I am proud to feature Kim from Sweet Daisy Products.  She makes balms, salves and soaps from all natural herbs that help heal your body's ailments.  I have been using the chapstick she sent me for months and I absolutely love it, I MUST order more!  And, Lemon loves the Baby Balm, we rub it on her feet at night to soothe her before she sleeps and her healing salve is great for all of Lemon's mosquito bites.  Kim's products are amazing and she had makes them all, including growing, harvesting and drying her own herbs!  You have GOT to get some of this stuff - go and check out her shop!  (Kim's shop is currently on hiatus, follow her on Instagram to see when she's back in business!)

What is the name of your shop and how can we find you?  

Sweet Daisy Products is my website and I am also on Facebook and Instagram. 

Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop.  

My main focus is herbal salves as remedies. I do dabble in things like lip balms, soaps, and other things, but I enjoy using my knowledge of herbs to create a product that really helps people with ailments and other things. 

How/why did you start making these products and open this shop? 

My son was diagnosed with Autism in 2013 at not even 3 years of age. Along with his diagnosis, our family was dealing with a multitude of other issues including financial problems. I've always been very "crunchy" and into making my own things, but I started making remedies to not only try to keep our family on a more natural path and help with the Autism, but also because we desperately needed another income. 

How long have you been in business? 

Almost 1 year!

What is your background (college/career/etc.)? 

I graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor's in Marketing, and then continued on in Management in retail stores. I enjoyed the customer service aspect and the business part, but retail is a HARD, demanding job and with little ones at home, it's almost impossible and far too stressful!

Tell us a little bit about your family. 

My husband and I have been together 15 years now (high school sweethearts) and have been married for 5+ years. We live in a house in a small town in Connecticut with our 2 sons (Joshua, 3 & Liam, 2). We are very into self sustainability and raise chickens, grow gardens (and almost all of the herbs that I use in my products) and work hard to maintain it.  [So cool, like my dream.]

How does this company help your family?  Or you? 

This is not only a product that I use in my home every single day, and a small (but hopefully growing) income for us, but it's an outlet for me. As a mom home with 2 small children, one being special needs, I get stuck in the deep hole of being mom and only mom -- nothing else. When I find "me time" I love spending it working on something for my business -- whether it be putting in real research into herbalism and aromatherapy, growing/harvesting/drying my herbs, designing packaging, creating new lines/recipes, advertising (online! social media!), customer service and everything else that goes with it. It feeds my need to be in the "business world" without having to run someone ELSE's business. And, it's close to my heart and I'm PASSIONATE about each and every product, which is why it means SO MUCH to me. 

Did you ever think you'd be doing this?  What did you think you'd be doing instead? 

I never really imagined exactly WHAT I'd be doing one day. Once I had children I knew that I wanted to stay home with them. I don't know where this will lead me, or if this is the only path I'll take, but I know that it's going to continue to be a main path for me. 

Does anyone help you with your shop? 

Not yet, but I'd love to grow enough to be able to have an assistant to help me with some things I just can't make a lot of time for! 

How do you find time to run your shop and create products? 

You'll often find me up late at night researching/reading with a notebook to jot down ideas and create recipes. And during the day I'll be in the kitchen, mixing and creating, usually with at least one kid attached to me!

What do you love about this businesses? 

That I'm excited about it EVERY single day. That the world is becoming more accepting of herbal remedies and natural solutions, and that more and more people are interested in it. 

What is the most challenging part of this business? 

Making time for it while raising a family. 

Where do you see your shop in the future? 

I hope that the future includes a bigger online store, and having my products sold in person in shops and stores. 

Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created? 

I really love it all, but I TRULY love and believe in my all natural calendula salve. I grow calendula and it's BEAUTIFUL. I care for my plants, I harvest, dry and save each petal off of each flower. I infuse them into oils and really put a lot of care into it. I have seen this salve heal almost ANYTHING and I love nothing more than getting notes/emails/messages from customers letting me know how it's changed or helped something for them. 

Do you have any advice for future mom-entrepreneurs? 

Don't compare your business/products to ANY others. There will be people out there doing the same thing, and it might seem like they sell more, have more customers, or are "better." DO NOT compare yourself. Run your business the way YOU want to and be passionate about it, and it will show through in your products. 

What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own? 

I love to support other handmade shops! Two of my very favorites are Hustlemama Handmade, and Marine Parents. 

Kim, you are so inspiring!  Thanks for your post!

 

Birthday Yoga

On Wednesday my very best girlfriends joined me for yoga at my yoga studio, Desert Song, for a birthday yoga class.  The ladies who don't do yoga met us out for dinner after at Flower Child, and it was so much fun!

I didn't want to do anything for my birthday this year.  I didn't want to inconvenience anyone, didn't want anyone to buy me anything and I also didn't want to put anyone out because we are all busy and all have families to plan around.  But, they just kept bugging me!  So, I told them that if they wanted to join me in my weekly yoga class, they could, and if they didn't, they could meet us after for a bite to eat.  Almost every single lady that I invited came (except for one that had a crisis), and it was a super fun night, full of tears - of course.

I arrived at my yoga studio early, with Christie, to reserve spots for the 4 other ladies who were joining us since the room only fits about 20 (and that's snug).  When we got there, there was a woman in front of me and when I heard her talk I realized it was my mom!  My mom was joining us for an advanced yoga class and I was beyond excited - it was only the second yoga class we had ever done together, and she hung in the whole time!  There were also balloons and flowers waiting for me, plus two gift certificates for 5 classes each - 10 classes total from my mom and Christine - awesome!

We packed the room, there were even people on the ends (where no one usually is) and it was so much fun!  To share my weekly practice with some of my best girlfriends (and my mom!) was just awesome.  I even got to demo a pose in the middle of the room while the whole class sang Happy Birthday to me, it made my heart so happy.

Anyone that knows me knows that this yoga studio means so much to me.  My step-mother was the first one to tell me about it, her friend was the first to meet me there and take a class with me (because Leslsee, my step-mother, had cancer and was sick at the time).  I started going on my own when I first started doing yoga, not knowing what I was doing, then worked my way up to an advanced class, got pregnant, lost the baby and the women at the studio embraced me during that difficult time.  Yoga helped to pull me out of the darkness and then I was back in the advanced class until I got pregnant again.  I went to prenatal yoga every Wednesday night, met some mamas, cried some tears (there is NOTHING like being pregnant in a room full of pregnant women - find a prenatal yoga class!) and then after I had Lemon, I took her to Mommy & Me, a class where I first really bonded with my newborn, doing something fun with her instead of just changing diapers and putting her back to sleep all day.  A couple of weeks ago I even took Lemon to their Kids Yoga workshop, and she did yoga in the same room where I found myself again, after going through the roughest time in my life - and it was amazing.  This studio is not just a studio to me, it is a place of worship, a place of serenity and a place where I practice (what I consider) my religion.  My teacher on Wednesday nights, Meg, has taught me so much about my practice and about myself, I am forever grateful for this studio and the woman who work there.  (I have actually written about my studio, and teachers, many times here, on my Yoga & Spirituality page.)

To have this group of women, and my mom, in class with me (and Lemon's kids yoga teacher, as well as my prenatal yoga teacher, who both just happened to be there) was awesome - it was like I had come full circle.  I cannot put into words the love I felt that night and the class just so happened to be about the goodness that lies in all of us - well duh.  I am usually the youngest person in that class, the women I do yoga with have been doing it for years (and my teacher was actually one of the founders of Anusara yoga) and even their love and respect was felt during my "birthday practice."  It was one of the best yoga practices I've been a part of, I definitely felt surrounded by love, peace and goodness.

After yoga, we met up with 5 more ladies to have dinner at this super yummy restaurant.  I had been before, a couple of times, but most of them hadn't and everyone loved it.  All of the deserts are gluten free, so of course that's why I went, and I ordered one of each of them!  The women I invited to dinner (including the ones that came to yoga), mean so much to me it is hard to describe.  I made a toast at dinner and just said that without each and every one of them, friends old and new, I wouldn't be the woman I am today.  I told them how grateful I am for each of them and how lucky I feel to have them in my life.  Not many people have girlfriends like I do, and 3 I've had for over 20 years, and all live within 15 minutes of me.  We are so blessed to have each other, it was such a fun group of girls, even though they didn't all know each other well (but "knew" each other from me), and I know everyone had a great time.  I just wish, as I'm sure we all do, that we had more time together, sans babies, and could make that dinner a monthly thing.  Oh, did I mention that we left our kids at home?  It was THE BEST.

 

Although I didn't want to do anything for my birthday, I spent Wednesday night with ladies that I couldn't live without.  I actually had one of the best birthday celebrations I've ever had and my 30's are my favorite decade yet!  36, bring it on!  (My actual birthday is Sunday and I can't wait to spend it with my family!)

Moms on Mondays - Danette from DJ's Handsies

This week I am honored to feature a mama from one of my favorite handmande shops that I found on IG, Dani from Dj's Handsies.  I found her shop because of her coveted fox dress, wrote to her on Facebook to see how I could get my hands on one and the rest was history.  For Lemon's 2nd birthday this year she made her a custom lemon dress and I just about died, it was the cutest thing I'd ever seen.  This mama is so talented and her dresses are like nothing I've seen before, you must head over to her website and order one today!!

Hi, I am Danette and my shop's name is Dj's Handsies. I am also on Instagram and Facebook.

I focus on making little girl dresses that combine my love for crochet and sewing. I also make toddler purses and crochet rugs. I am open to custom orders too.

I made a crochet pixie hat for my daughter in fall 2012 and posted a picture of her wearing it on my Instagram. I got a lot of hat sales through Instagram, since it was Fall. Once winter passed I felt I needed to make something that was not seasonal based, something that I could make all year round. I had made a few crocheted dresses for my daughter, when she was a baby, so I thought I would try selling them. Once I posted a picture of my crocheted fox dress the response was overwhelming. I felt I could not keep selling on Instagram and that I needed to open an official shop and get more organized. It has been once year since I started selling the dresses. 

I studied interior design, but did not pursue it as a career. I moved to Canada from South Africa in 2005. Without a working permit, I started volunteering at a veterinary clinic once I was legally allowed to work. I was happy at the clinic, got hired as a receptionist and worked there for 5 years . After the birth of my second child, I decided to become a stay at home mom and now I guess I get to call myself a work from home mom. :)

Here comes a cliche, I have been happily married for nearly 9 years to my high school sweetheart. My husband, Marcell, is one special fella who works very hard so I can stay home with my babies, and I feel so blessed to have him and my two children. Jude is 5 years old, and he loves Lego and Star Wars, and Danni Jean is my 3 year old chatterbox who loves dress up and princesses.

Starting this business has not only helped our family financially, but also it helps my need to be creative and keeps me sane. While I love being home with my children, I have always loved being creative too, I still felt I needed a creative outlet. While we all know being a stay at home is already a full time job, adding the shop to the mix has certainly made my life even busier; but I have never been happier. 

I am currently running my business alone. I don't have anyone helping me with my shop, with the exception of my husband helping me set up the online shop. It's just me "DJ"and my own handsies. :)  Balancing my time has been hard. Most of my work gets done during nap time and after the kids have gone to bed. I feel it's important that when I am with my kids I give them all of me. It is not always easy, and sometimes I fail, but I try my best to keep living by that rule. 

I am happy where I am with my business right now. My kids are little, and we all know how fast they grow, so I am not planning on expanding until they are a bit older so that I can enjoy this precious time with them. I don't know what the future holds. I have always been a "live in the now" kind of girl. Things have a way of working themselves out. I once read "The work you do when you  are procrastinating is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life." When I am not doing dishes I am playing with my kids. When I have a pile of laundry to fold, I make a new dress. I feel I like live up to that statement and it makes me happy. Once I accepted that I can't do it all, I was a lot happier. [I am loving that quote!]

The fox dress that I have in my shop is my favorite. It's so special to me because it was the first dress that started it all. The watermelon dress hits a close second. 

My advice for other moms wanting to start a business would be to trust your creativity, it will only grow the more you create. Don't compare yourself, or your business, to other small business . Focus on your own work or product, and your success will come in time. 

Throughout the Instagram community I have found some amazingly talented moms who I get to call my friends. Honestly, I could list so many but the two who stand out to me is Brynn who had two shops:  E.G.G. Handmade, for sweet baby clothes and also Thread x Twill that focuses on unique home decor .We actually met on Pinterest! With our similar pins and interests it was inevitable that we would become friends and I hope to meet her in "real life" one day! Another shop is Nooks Design. Ruthy make boots, dresses and rompers. This girl is a risk taker and it certainly pays off. Her dedication is admirable! 

Thanks Dani, loved your post!!

I Love 2 Year Olds

So far, two is my favorite age.  Someone once said to me that they wish they could always have a two year old in their house, because they love this age so much, and I totally agree.

The amount of "hold yous, kiss, hug, hold hands" requests that we get a day is ridiculous and never has our girl been so sweet.  As you've read from my previous posts, Lemon was not the easiest baby, so this sweetness is totally welcome in our house.  I feel like for the first 10 months of her life we were butting heads about something - nursing, sleeping, eating - and then until she was a year and a half, always about sleeping.  I feel like she was always tired, always hungry but fought me every step of the way, even though I knew best (duh).

But now, everything has changed.

We snuggle more than ever, she always wants to be held or asks for us to hold her hand, she wants hugs and kisses and at night when I tuck her in, and sing a special song that I made up, she lays there and looks at me with eyes I've never seen before.  I had always hoped that one day she'd know just how much I love her, and how much we've done for her, to make her happy and keep her healthy and I think that the time is now - she just knows.  It is the best feeling in the world.

When your kid looks at you with those loving eyes, tells you she loves you and comes up and kisses you just on a whim, all on her own, it's the best feeling ever and definitely makes up for all the tough times that come with raising a baby.  It's the same way I feel about teaching - all of the craziness, the rudeness, the demands, the teenagers - it all floats away when that one student that one year says "thank you."  Nothing better.

Seeing yourself in your daughter's eyes, nothing compares.  Lemon is so kind, well-behaved, mild-mannered and is actually starting to talk to strangers too - instead of just blowing a raspberry at them.  The way she says hi to people and "how you doin?" to other kids - I love it.  She is still that happy, always singing, Lemon that we know and love but this new element of sweet is just killing us.  Of course she's not perfect (and just got put in time, twice in a night, for throwing something), but these tough times are pretty few and far between lately.  Toddlers, so far, are much easier than babies (in my opinion), communication helps a lot.  It also helps that they are SO hilariously silly.

2 years old is my favorite age so far, this little Lemon of ours just gets sweeter every day.  And, this mom thing does too.  :)

Moms on Mondays - Katie from S.A.K. Threads

 

This week I am proud to feature Katie from S.A.K. Threads!  We received some headwraps from Katie awhile ago and I just loved them!  We are into easy and comfortable, over here, and they are just that.  Since then, she has expanded her shop to feature even more products and I couldn't be happier for her.  (And, have you seen her beautiful girls?!)  Please support Katie's handmade business and go shop!

What is the name of your shop and how can we find you?  

My shop is S.A.K. Threads and I am on Instagram and Facebook too!

Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop.  

In my shop I sell skirts, leggings, headwraps and hair bows.  These items fit children from 0-6 years of age.

 

How long have you been in business?

I opened my shop in December of 2013 making shabby flower headbands.  I then added felt bows {headbands and clips}, sparkle bows, shabby flower clips, and head wraps.  When I started making the head wraps I found that I really loved sewing.  Because of this, I decided to start making skirts and leggings, which I added to my shop in August.

What is your background (college/career/etc.)?

I graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Special Education.  I got a job teaching for Lima City Schools, which is about 30 minutes from my hometown.  I had always wanted to teach closer to home, and about a month ago I was hired to teach in the small country school that I grew up in.  The best part about it is that I will be part time, so I will be able to be home more with my girls ~ something I wouldn’t have been able to do without the help of my little shop :) [So jelly of your part time teaching job!!]

Tell us a little bit about your family.

My husband and I were both born and raised in Ohio.  We went to high school together and graduated in the same year {2003}.  We dated for about a month during our senior year.  I broke it off {he still gives me a hard time about this…lol}, and we went our separate ways.  The summer after my freshman year of college I went to watch my brother's band play, and Stephen {my husband} was there with his band, playing the bass guitar.  We talked after the show, and we have been together ever since.  We were married in June of 2008, and had our twin girls {Ava & Sophia} in November of 2009.  We added another little girl {Kyra} to our family last August.

How does this company help your family?  

This little shop has helped my family by allowing me to spend more time with my girls, while only working part time.  It has given me a way to contribute to my family, while being able to be home more.  It has also helped me by giving me a creative outlet that I love.

Did you ever think you'd be doing this?  What did you think you'd be doing instead?

No, it wasn’t until I had my twins that I had a desire to create hair accessories.  I started by making things just for them, but after having Kyra I decided to open a shop.  I am so glad I did :) I always knew I would be a mom, and a teacher . . . I just never knew I would be a small business owner as well.  But I absolutely love it!

Does anyone help you with your shop?

Nope! I design and create everything myself.  However, my twins are always giving me their input and ideas! I just love their creative little minds!

How do you find time to run your shop and create products? 

Like most other moms I know that run their own shops, I rely on naps and bedtime.  My most productive work time is late at night once all of the girls are asleep.  I try to do very little while they are awake, because my main focus is them.  Being a mom always comes first. 

What do you love about this businesses?

I love that I am able to contribute a little more to my family, while also spending more time home with them.  Also, I love the fact that I have met so many great people…from customers, to fellow shop owners, and bloggers.  Each and every person that has supported my new journey holds a special place in my heart.  [Awwww!]

Where do you see your shop in the future?

I hope to keep adding more and more quality items to my shop! I have so many great ideas, I just want to be able to make them all come to life. 

Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created?

So far, my favorite product that I sell would have to be my skirts.  I love to browse all of the fabric options!  Plus, sewing is one of my new passions!

Do you have any advice for future mom-entrepreneurs?

My advice would be to find something that you are passionate about and truly enjoy.  That was very important to me.  I like the fact that my shop is more like a hobby, and another way to socialize with moms.  :)  Also, it’s important to remember why you are doing it.  For me, it was to help my family . . . so they always come first.  You need to find a way to balance everything, without getting too stressed ~ or it won’t be any fun.  Sometimes I have to take a step back, regroup and remember what is the most important…and remind myself that other things {like cleaning} will have to wait until tomorrow. :)

What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own?

This is a hard one! There are so many great shops out there run by some great moms, many of which I found through Instagram.  Some of my favorites would have to be Olive and Birdie, Belbambinos, Ryan and Rose, Tribe is Alive, Sloan and Co., and Snap Bibs.  I own items from all of these shops, and they are run by some amazing people!  :) 

Thanks Katie, loved this post from a fellow teacher!  :)

 

Moms on Mondays - Nicole from Mia Monroe Boutique

This week I am featuring Nicole from Mia Monroe Boutique and I am so excited that I finally get to work with this hot mama!  We have been talking for months, ever since she reached out and asked for bloggers to represent her shop, but we never ended up doing anything together until now.  I am so happy to have her on this series and know you will just love her cute family!  Now, you must go check out the Frozen and Minnie Mouse themed dresses in her shop, they are too cute!   

(All item images courtesy of mia-monroe.com.)

What is the name of your shop and how can we find you?  

My store can be found on Etsy and I also have a blog, a Facebook, an Instagram and a Twitter.

Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop.

I would say I sell a bit of everything! From tutus, birthday outfits, hair accessories, wall decor, paintings, ect. Anything can be customized! And everything is handmade, even my flowers. 

How/why did you start making these products and open this shop?

I began the shop by making hair accessories. I just had my daughter and was now obsessed, so began trying to make my own! Then someone introduced me to Etsy, and it's all history from there. I branched out from hair accessories by customers/people on social media asking me to create different types of items. Once I began to add the custom, hand painted wall letters and tutu outfits, the shop blew up! I have even had orders from two members of the cast Jerseylicious (Jackie and Alexa), and one member of Teen Mom 3 (Mckenzie).  [So cool!]

How long have you been in business?

My shop just turned 2 years old this June. 

What is your background (college/career/etc.)?

I began college at Loyola University of Chicago as a PreMed/Forensic Science major. But, my heart has always been in art. I began to lose interest after about a year and a half and decided to take a break to launch my shop. I was very reluctant at first, but I've been quite successful so far, and I am much happier! 

I am also a young mother. I became pregnant at the age of 18, and had my daughter, Mia, at 19 (I am now 22). She was not planned (I was actually on birth control), but thankfully I had wonderful support. Children and marriage was never a plan of mine, but I believe everything happens for a reason. My daughter's father and I have now been happily married for one year and own a beautiful home. All it takes is love and pure dedication, age doesn't matter. 

Tell us a little bit about your family and how this shop helps your family.

We own a home in Plainfield, IL. So, all earnings from my shop help pay for household items/maintenance such as bills and groceries, everything a "regular" job would pay for, really! It helps us to be more financially stable. It also helps me to be more confident. I never thought my ideas/creativity was important or could be an inspiration to others. Now I realize it is a gift I have, and I love sharing it!

Did you ever think you'd be doing this?  What did you think you'd be doing instead?

Never. My heart has always been with art and being creative, it's like my outlet. But, I never imagined I could make money/a living doing it! So I would always put it on the back burner as a "hobby" and pursued a career in the medical field. I thought it to be more stable. But, after I began my shop as a side job, I loved it too much, and found myself wanting to do more and more! My head wasn't in the medical field anymore, as hard as I tried! So, I finally came to terms with it and decided to take a break from medical to see where dedicating more time to the shop would take me. And, so far, it has taken me quite far! I am much happier creating beautiful items for people and allowing my creativity to flow, rather than counting bones! Hahaha. 

Does anyone help you with your shop?

No, I run it all myself. From creating, taking orders, packaging, shipping, advertising, etc.

How do you find time to run your shop and create products? 

I take any spare time I can get! With a three year old daughter who LOVES attention, a husband (who, as every wife knows, is like a child themselves) [ha!], a house, and battling health issues, I am up sometimes until 2am working. But, it is all worth it when I see positive feedback and pictures posted on my social media! (I have an autoimmune disease called Graves Disease that affects my body a lot and constantly makes me sick.)

What do you love about this businesses?

Besides being able to create and paint all day, I love seeing satisfaction from my customers. They, literally, make my day by expressing how much they love an item! I put a lot into each and every thing I make, and to see it being appreciated is the best. 

What is the most challenging part of this business?

The most challenging part of this business is how time consuming it can be. I hand make everything and it does take time. And not only that, I run everything alone. If I don't advertise and answer emails/questions, my shop won't grow. Computer work is a job in itself! Juggling my time between family and work has been a tough one for me because I feel obligated to get everyone's items out in a timely manner, while still wanting to spend time with my family. It can get a bit stressful at times but I always try to compromise. 

 
Where do you see your shop in the future?

I may want to eventually open an actual shop locally. A small boutique with a bunch of items for everyone where you can also make custom orders! Other than that, I just want to keep expanding and reaching more people around the world. 

Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created?

I enjoy creating custom, hand painted wall letters the most, I would say. The fact that I can give you something completely different is amazing. You may see the same piece of decor you purchased from a Target or Wal-Mart in your friend's home, but I guarantee you won't see your custom wall letters like mine! Each set is difference and unique, which I love!

Do you have any advice for future mom-entrepreneurs?

If you have a great passion for something (anything!) please don't put it on the back burner - pursue it! Don't be afraid. Yes, everything may not work out, but it just as well may. You never know until you try it. Just because you are a mom, doesn't mean your dreams are over. You can still do anything and everything you love!

What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own?

I have come across many shops on social media, now! Some of my favorites are Hello Mess Moccasins, Love Crush Bowtique, and The Glamour Baby. 

Thanks Nicole!