It is with
great joy that I feature today a
children's boutique hair accessory designer, Lindsay of
Banner Boutique.
Lindsay designed some of the gorgeous accessories featured in our
Wizard of Oz Party collaboration with Kim of
The TomKat Studio (who introduced me to Lindsay).
Lindsay is thoughtful enough to offer a
$100 gift certificate to one lucky winner for a SURPRISE GIVEAWAY! {Details on giveaway at the end of the post} AND an exclusive discount (see end of post for code!)
Lindsay granted me the opportunity to interview her and she shared some
incredibly well-thought answers you may enjoy--if you are a "mompreneur", you especially may wish to read on!
{Question} How did
Banner Boutique come about, and is there a special meaning to the name?
{Answer} Banner Boutique was started when I couldn't find quality hair accessories for my first little girl, Kaitlyn. Even when I did find hair accessories, they were either cheaply made or way over priced. Since the day I found out I was pregnant with Kaitlyn, hair accessories seemed to be just as important, if not more important, than each outfit that I bought for her.
I knew I could make even the most basic and inexpensive outfit look amazing with just the right headband! I knew what types of hair accessories I wanted in my mind...I just had to find the right materials to make them! We are very picky when it comes to the type of materials we use and the way things are made.
I've been an entrepreneur since the day I was born. Whether it was selling lemonade, babysitting or crafting..I always had to have my hands in something!
{Question} How often do you come out with new designs? Any hints or previews of things to come?
{Answer} I come up with new designs daily...in my head...it's just a matter of finding the time to make them come to life!
We add new items almost weekly! We try very hard to listen to what our customers are wanting, but mostly the designs we offer are the designs we like to put on our own kids! (the 2nd to last picture attached is a preview of some items to come!!...)
{Question} Have you always had a passion for flowers, gems, or hair accessories? Did this start during childhood or with your own children?
{Answer} Hair accessories have always been a must when it comes to my baby girls!!
I would almost rather have them in a headband and a diaper than an outfit without a headband! I LOVE watching people just stare at Chloe with big smiles and looks of joy when they see her with a cute headband! They sometimes don't realize it...but it's the headband that draws them in (I'm sure it helps that she's cute but the headband gets them every time!). I couldn't imagine a photo session or special occasion without a headband!
{Question} What are your three favorite items in your shop right now (I know, it is hard to choose!)
{Answer} That's like asking me to pick a favorite child!!
1. I am loving the SWIRLS collection! We have these in almost every color, although I have yet to list them all in the shop.
The swirls and swirls of chiffon and satin make for such a fun and whimsical piece!!
2.
I am also loving the color collection items with the beaded centers!! These can be customized to fit any outfit perfectly...another fun and fabulous addition to any outfit!!
3. For my last favorite item..this one isn't even listed yet, but it's
the new winter hat collection!! Hopefully I can get these listed before this blog post goes up!! They are a fun alternative to the classic beanie that we love...
perfect for winter beauties- I also love that they fit babies all the way through adults!!
{Question} Do you do custom orders for clients who need something for a special event like a christening, confirmation, bat mitzvah, wedding or holiday photos?
{Answer} We do, although we are starting to not be able to accept all custom orders as we get busier and busier!
We offer quite a few items that can be customized as far as colors and style which tend to fit the bill for so many people.
The Audrey headband...one of our most popular bands can be customized in so many different colors. People love them for SO MANY occasions!! Baptisms, Christenings, Weddings, Portraits, etc.!!
We also have SO MANY items available in our shop that people can almost always find the perfect piece!! We are also always happy to customize any of the pieces we offer as far as putting them on a clip instead of a headband, changing the color or style of the headband, changing the center etc.! This makes for limitless options!!
{Question} Let's get to know you a bit better!
{Answer}
Favorite Color: That's tough one!! It really depends on my mood. I might say a tiffany blue! (maybe that's why my logo is in that color??)
Favorite brand of clothing: I love so many high end designers but my husband doesn't love the cost...TJ Maxx allows our marriage to stay in tact!
Favorite flavor of cupcake: This is easy,
black and white cupcake at Sprinkles!
Favorite places to shop: ETSY of course, TJ Maxx and Marshalls, Gap, Banana Republic, Janie and Jack for the kids, Anthropologie, and you can't forget FOREVER 21-and Target!!
{Question} Many of our readers want to know: How do you balance work and family? What are your priorities, and how do you keep them straight?
{Answer} When I first started this business, it was just my sister Angela and I who did it all. We did strictly wholesale and although we would have crazy weeks here and there, it was fairly manageable and not so crazy.
Once we started selling online straight to the end consumer however, things got really nuts really quickly. I was working all kinds of crazy hours just trying to keep my head above water.
I quickly learned that although I was completely in love with this business, in love with my new found customer friends, in love with the creative outlet it provided me, I wasn't willing to sacrifice my sacred and limited time I have with my children while they are young.
I strongly believe that my top priority, my most sacred calling in life, is to raise my children and to be there for them right now while they are young. It's not enough for me to just have "quality time" with them, the quantity of time matters as well.
Since this business was growing like a weed and word seemed to spread like wild fire at times,
I knew I had one of two choices; either shut it all down OR hire enough people to allow me to keep my kids as my top priority.
I sat down and made a schedule of the hours I was willing to give to
Banner Boutique.
My hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm; I also work some Tuesdays and Thurs mornings. About 1 or 2 times a week, I work for a few hours at night.
It takes 7 other women (and counting) to make the rest happen. I have
Jeni, my second set of hands who is here 4-5 days a week from 8:30 am-11:30 am. She is my everything...next to my husband of course!! She literally can do whatever needs to be done!! She knows my house even better than I do sometimes and she has mad skills when it comes to making an Audrey headband.
My good friend Wendy, who I've known for over 9 years now, is another huge part of the Banner Boutique team! She is our in house quality control who processes/makes many of the orders and won't let one crystal be imperfectly placed! She also is my HERO when it comes to answering emails!!
She handles 99% of all of the emails that come through etsy...something that was hard to hand over but was so necessary in preserving my time as a mom!!
We also have
Patti, another resident perfectionist who helps us to process orders. She is another huge asset to our team!
Hannah, the most amazing high school student, who we all wish was our own daughter, helps to prep orders and get us stocked up on materials/supplies!!
My mother-in-law Marilyn (yet another EXTREME perfectionist), recently volunteered to help us process orders as well as my super crafty friend Jen!!
Last, but most certainly not least is
my sister Angela, who started all of this maddenss with me! She processes/makes a large part of all of the orders.
These ladies are what make up Banner Boutique and without them I wouldn't be able to stay in business!!
There will be plenty of time for all kinds of creative adventures when they leave my nest!! I plan on continuing to let this business grow...but in a way that compliments my family!
{Qusetion} What are some of your favorite current trends in children's hair accessories? What do you see up & coming for 2011?
{Answer} I LOVE unique color combinations and all kinds of flowers when it comes to hair accessories!
I am LOVING anything that reminds me of the top of a cupcake and incorporates swirls and YUMMY fabrics.
I recently made some custom pieces for a recent photo shoot for the talented Tanya of
Save the Date for Cupcakes...I just listed these this week!!!
I am LOVING how elaborate hair accessories are becoming and I am LOVING that they seem to be here to stay!
I LOVE how popular hair accessories still are for ladies of all ages!!
{Question} Any tips or tricks for moms trying to choose what hair accessory from your shop that will be most complimentary to their newborn, toddler or young girl? How about for mom too?
{Answer} Maybe I'm biased, but I pretty much love everything in our shop.
If I wouldn't put it on my own baby or little girl I don't put it in the shop! If you are shopping for a newborn, I love the nylon based heabands. They are extremely soft and so sweet on their little delicate heads!
As they get older, the thinner stretch ribbon headbands are great becasue they can fit from age 2/3 months all the way through adulthood making them so versatile!!
Again,
we are happy to switch headband types, make things on clips instead of headband etc. so you are always able to find the perfect match to every outfit!
I would always recommend starting with a good variety of the basic colors: light pink and hot pink, white, black, dark brown, cream and grey- those to seem to be must haves!! However, I just can't seem to live without several options of every color under the rainbow.
{Question} Favorite blogs/websites you read on a daily basis:
{Answer} Kate Landers (of course!), Kim over at the
TomKat Studio (it's fun because we live only miles away from each other),
Hostess with The Mostess (LOVE),
Martha Stewart Living website,
http://www.peekaboophotos.com.../ that's about all I have time for typically.
{Question} How would you best describe your personal style?
{Answer} Eclectic! My tastes span the spectrum!
I would love to re-decorate my house on a daily basis! I have so many styles and themes that I love!! If I had to choose one though,
I love country chic. I love
a little bit of modern mixed with a little bit of vintage luxury.
Thank you so much for this incredibly genuine look into the day of the life of
Banner Boutique, and sharing so much wonderful information with us all!
It has been a delight getting to "know" you Lindsay! {note: gorgeous images via Peekaboo Photography, Chrissie Marie Photography, Andrea Burns Photography, Stacia Shaw Photography, Sierra Studios Photography}
And now....Lindsay is offering one lucky winner a very, very special
SURPRISE GIVEAWAY: A $100 credit to her shop! And for EVERYONE: a very special, limited time discount of 10% off your order, using the exclusive code Kate10.
Here's how to enter:
Visit Banner Boutique's shop here, and come back leaving a comment on this post sharing your two favorite hair accessories.
For SIX possible ADDITIONAL ENTRIES, you can do the following:
1. Become a fan of Banner Boutique, and leave us a second comment on this blog post letting us know so! (3 EXTRA ENTRIES we will award to you for doing so--no need to tell us you are a fan three times over!)
2. Become a fan of Kate Landers Events, LLC, and leave us a third comment on this blog post letting us know so (3 EXTRA ENTRIES we will awared to you for doing so--no need to tell us you are a fan three times over!)
Open to people 18 years of age and older.
***OPEN INTERNATIONALLY*** {cost of shipping deducted from total certificate value}
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, December 7th!
ALSO: The winners of our recent giveaways!!!!!
1) Dollcake Oh So Girly....the winner of the gift certificate is....Nicole Howarth!!!!! {Nicole, congratulations! Please e-mail landers.kate@gmail.com immediately to accept your prize!}
2) Paiges of Style...the winner of the shop credit is...Modern Frills! {Modern Frills, congratulations!!! Please e-mail landers.kate@gmail.com immediately to accept your prize!}
3) Hailey Rose...the winner of the shop credit PLUS the blue gingham custom hair clip is... Kelly W!!!! {Kelly W, Congratulations! This is your second reminder, please e-mail landers.kate@gmail.com to accept your prize! If not accepted by Sunday, December 5th a new winner will be selected on Monday, December 6th}
Good luck!
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