Today on Moms on Mondays I am excited to feature Desri from Chapel and Rose! This mama makes the most beautiful items, so many fun, fur lined, fall accessories and outerwear for girls. You must read her post below and then go shop! (All images used in this post, besides the ones with a white background, are Only Imagine Photography.)
(These photos by Qiana K. Photography.)
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 children's faux fur accessories, but I am most known for my fur-lined pixie hats.    
How/why did you start making these products and open this shop?
I wanted a pixie hat for my daughter, but couldn't find what I was looking for so I decided to come up with a pattern and make one for her. I posted a photo of her wearing it on Instagram, and the rest is history. I have been in business since September 2014.
What is your background (college/career/etc.)?
I work from home as a full time medical records coder for a major hospital system in Houston, but my passion lies in creating. I majored in graphic design and fashion design in college, and have been sewing for almost 30 years. My grandmother taught me as a child and I've always enjoyed it.
Tell us a little bit about your family. How does this company help your family? Or you?
I am a firefighter/paramedic wife and the mother of two girls - a 2 year old and a 7 month old. We make ends meet, but it's been nice to have a little extra income.
Did you ever think you'd be doing this?
I've always dreamed of having my own fashion line one day, but this was before the Internet was a thing. I'm a southern girl at heart and could never picture myself living in New York or Paris. Back when I dreamed of doing this, you couldn't make a name for yourself unless you lived in one of those places. So, it always remained a distant dream.
What did you think you'd be doing instead?
Coding for the rest of my life most likely. It's a good steady job and it leaves me time to create on the side. I never imagined I could make money doing what I truly love.
Does anyone help you with your shop?
I have recently hired an amazing seamstress to help with the bulk of my sewing. As you can imagine, working full time and raising babies doesn't leave much time for sewing. I still create all of my pieces and draft patterns, and she fulfills the orders. It's been a dream come true.
How do you find time to run your shop and create products?
Outsourcing the bulk of the sewing to my seamstress has really left me free to do what I'm best at . . . creating. As a creative person, I never stop coming up with new ideas and ways to make my existing products better.
What do you love about this businesses?
I've always had a heart for fashion, but I never realized the depth of children's clothing. I always wanted to design for women. But, now that I'm designing for children, it's been so fulfilling. I love finding new ways to dress my children and have them stand out and still look classy.
What is the most challenging part of this business?
Time, 100% time. Juggling being a mom, a full time job, a husband who spends more than 1/3 of the year at work, and now this business, I'm always needing more time. But, I'm learning to get help with little tasks and it's made all of the difference.
Where do you see your shop in the future?
My dream is to see my hats in Bergdorfs and Neiman Marcus. I would love to launch a full scale line as well.
Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created?
Definitely the fur-lined pixie hat. It brings me so much joy to see them well photographed by customers, and seeing their children's sweet little faces surrounded in fur. It never gets old.  
Do you have any advice for future mom-entrepreneurs?
Find a niche and stick with it, find what makes you unique. If you've come up with a great product, there are always going to be people right on your heels trying to replicate it. You have to keep evolving your brand and making it better.
What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own?
There are way too many to mention personally, and the IG community of mom run shops has been such a welcoming one. But Duchess and Lion was the first handmade shop I ever purchased from, followed by Hudson and Ruthie, and James Vincent Design Co. in no particular order. Those 3 were really the ones who opened my eyes to the world of children's handmade clothing. And, not only do they have amazing products, they are amazing women on a personal level as well. Thanks so much Dezz, for being a part of this series! :) |
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