Today I am so happy to feature Tiffany from Junebug Tennessee! This mama makes the cutest reversible pinafores and pinafore crop tops ever, when I saw them I just knew she had to be a part of this series! She is just the sweetest and sent Lemon a pinafore crop top and a regular crop top too, and now they are some of my favorite tops she owns! Read her awesome post below and then go shop!
What is the name of your shop and how can we find you?
Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop.
I
make reversible pinafores for babies and girls. It's like two outfits
in one! They are very versatile and can be worn in layers or by itself,
dressed up or dressed down. They look great however they are styled.
The pinafores have a timeless classic feel about them. I'm planning on
adding bloomers and a few more new items within the next few months.
How/why did you start making these products and open this shop?
My
mom passed away unexpectedly a week before my daughter was born, so sewing became a great outlet for me to help deal with everything. Because of her, I
was able to buy my first sewing machine and I've been sewing pinafores
for my daughters and their friends ever since. With the encouragement of my
husband, and friends and family, I decided to finally open a shop. It was
a big leap for me. I'm always so worried someone won't like what they
ordered, or that an item is not up to par. It's hard to put yourself out there but
the feedback from everyone has been amazing! I am so glad I opened a
shop!
How long have you been in business?
Junebug
Tennessee celebrated one year this month! I can't
even believe it! I'm so beyond amazed at what my little shop has
become!!
What is your background?
I
was born in Stockton, CA but raised in a tiny, desert agricultural town
in Southern California. My husband, kids and I moved back a few years
ago (to said tiny, desert town) to be near family again. I graduated high
school early and moved to the big city of San Diego (haha!). I took a few
college courses, but life and work got in the way of finishing my degree.
I was the manager of an independent music store for 5 years. I was
able to meet so many amazing people, make lifelong friends, learn about
new and old music, and watch so many rad bands perform - it was a dream
job. I look back fondly at my years there. During that time, I donated my
kidney to my friend's mom and it is something I am very proud of, to this day. After my husband and I had our first child, I became a
stay at home mom. I honestly couldn't ask for a better job, I am so
thankful I am able to be home with my kids.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I'll officially be in my mid thirties this December.
My middle name is Noelle, my parents must of thought they were being so
clever giving me a Christmassy middle name, seeing that I was born three
days after Christmas. Music
is very important to me, but I can't play anything for the life of me. I
have a lot of favorite bands but I never tire of: Ryan Adams, Girls,
Depeche Mode, Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark (OMD), Jawbreaker and
Bonnie "Prince". I love
reading but don't get to as much as I'd like. I love learning about
birth/birthing and breastfeeding. I have had a C-Section, a natural
hospital VBAC and a natural water homebirth (VBAC). I'm proud of all my
births. I don't enjoy cooking very much, truth be told, or folding laundry. I have a fear of tsunamis and floods. My favorite movies are Valley Girl and Wet Hot American Summer.
My
husband, Justin, and I recently celebrated 8 years of marriage last
month. He is a dreamboat who makes me laugh all the time. We
eloped to Vegas and got married in a drive thru chapel. Yes, we got
married in my car, haha, I still laugh about it to this day. He is rock
and roll mixed with a little bit nerdy - I love it! He is a great
musician and artist and he can play video games and talk comics like no
other. I'm pretty sure my babies have inherited his artistic/musical
gene, and I couldn't be more jazzed! Our
son, Sebastian, is 7. He is a long haired thinker, obsessed with Legos
and Minecraft. Our older daughter, Milo, is 5 and she is a free spirited
artist. Our youngest daughter, Birdie, will be 2 in August and she is a
total wild child. Junebug Tennessee is named after my daughters.
Junebug is Milo's middle name and Tennessee is Birdie's middle name.
We
homeschool our kids. For us it's the perfect fit because homeschooling allows
us a lot of freedom to do things on the fly, or just pick up and go
explore whenever we want. We
are also a plant based family, going on 7 years now. We try to grow our
own veggies. Sometimes we get a good harvest, other times, not so
much. We used to live in Washington and in our hearts, it's still home. One day we will move back.
How does this company help your family? Or you?
Junebug
Tennessee has brought many amazing things to my family. Not only does
the sewing typically relax me, and give me "ME" time, the added income it
brings has helped a lot. It's nice to be able to help contribute
financially to the bills or getting something fixed, etc.
Did you ever think you'd be doing this?
Honestly?
I did think I would do this, I just didn't know when. I just never
imagined it would grow to what it is today. I am so grateful!!
Does anyone help you with your shop?
Technically,
I'm a one woman show. I choose the fabric, cut, sew, package and mail
everything. However, I wouldn't be able to do it if my husband wasn't a
great supporter of me and my shop. He will do things with the kids so I
can get uninterrupted sewing time in, surprise me with a much needed
coffee, or rub my back if I've been hunched over cutting and pinning
fabrics all night.
I also have
tremendous emotional support from my friends and family. My dear
friend, Michelle, whom I've known for more than half my life, has always
been so supportive of my sewing, cheering me on from the very
beginning. Aubrey from Bertie Lou Baby can always bring a smile to my
face. Her words of encouragement mean a lot. Devon can
make me laugh like no other. All of that in return helps me in my shop
when I'm feeling a bit stressed or overwhelmed.
How do you find time to run your shop and create products?
Hahah!
Oh my gosh, I'm still figuring this one out! Between homeschooling 2
kids, a toddler, normal daily tasks (laundry/meals/errands/cleaning) and
sewing, you might think I have great time management skills. Hahhaha,
you'd be wrong! I do a lot of late night sewing. Late late night. Coffee
is my friend. I will admit laundry stays in a pile on the couch for
days until it gets folded.
What do you love about this businesses?
I
love that people like my pinafores enough to buy them for their own
children. It's an amazing feeling seeing my work on someone else. It's
awesome to see photos of kiddos in their pinafores in a normal setting
and just as awesome to see my pinafores in a Christmas card or first
birthday picture. Like, what!! You like my stuff enough to be part of
such a special day?! It's all so amazing.
I
also really love that because of Junebug Tennessee I have been able to
connect with so many other women, some shop owners, some not. The
friendships alone have made it all worth it.
What is the most challenging part of this business?
The balance between "work" and home. I never want my kids to feel alone or neglected because I have to sew.
Where do you see your shop in the future?
My
ultimate dream goal would be for me to be making enough to support our
family. Nothing outrageous, but enough so my husband doesn't have to
work. I would also love for my product to be in actual brick and mortar
stores. It will happen, someday.
Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created?
One
of my favorite pinafores would be our 'Persimmon' pinafore. Not only
did it have a fun bright 60's style floral pattern that I adored but it
was the very first pinafore I sold when Junebug Tennessee started. It
will always hold a special place in my heart. As for a non pinafore
item, I'm really proud of some blankets I made for my kids when they
were younger. I made them several double sided Yo Gabba Gabba character
blankets, two characters per blanket. My older two aren't into Gabba
anymore so we have the blankets put away, but Birdie is obsessed with
Gabba, I should pull out the blankets for her.
Do you have any advice for future mom-entrepreneurs?
My
only advice would be to remember how awesome you are. Don't ever forget
it. There will be times when having a business is hard and stressful
and sometimes overwhelming, but never ever forget how awesome you are.
What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own?
Oh
my, this is so hard! There are so many amazing shops out there! There
are way too many to list but here are some of my go-to's: Bertie Lou
Baby (link above) has THE most amazing purses for girls! Aubrey's
work is flawless. Plus, she is the most kind and genuine person you will
ever meet. We started out around the same time, and "met" on IG and
her friendship means the world to me. I value what she has to say and
hold her opinion in high regard. But I digress, her purses
are seriously amazing. My girls own 4 of her purses so far. They will
eventually go into a keepsake box. The purses are magical and beautiful
and sooo beautifully made.
I
also love Moss and Mountain. The mamas behind Moss
and Mountain are so awesome and hip. Their clothing is amazing. My kids
wear Moss and Mountain quite frequently. I love the vintage Urban Cowboy
vibe of everything. If only I could fit into their clothes! So dreamy!
Another
shop I frequent is Sweetpea Honeybee. They have
beautiful clothing for girls. Tiffany's work is flawless and her choice
in fabrics is spot on. Plus, she is a total sweetheart and we share
the same first name. So how could you go wrong. I'm totally gaga for her
stuff!
A
go-to for shoes is Ulla + Viggo. Pia makes the most
gorgeous shoes! She is so kind and her work is beautiful. I love that
Ulla + Viggo has several varieties of shoes. A shoe for every occasion!
I
love the hair accessories we have from The Prettiest Bow, Pepper and Foxx, The Gipsy and the Yarn and Raine and Monet. All 4 of
those shops have totally well made items, such great quality and every
single one of those ladies are totally awesome.
I'm
also huge fans of Daily Delilah (also featured here on Moms on Mondays), Pirapir, Schnarbles, Bapribap, The Striped Fig and Motherhood Menagerie. I
also really love Ocarina of Thyme for awesome jewelry and weird funky
items.
Omg,
see, it's too hard to narrow down my love for other handmade shops!!!
I'm missing so many! I don't want anyone to feel left out!!
I loved this post Tiffany, thank you! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment