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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / {“Mama + Biz Owner” — Using this tip to work around the slow times, part III.}

{“Mama + Biz Owner” — Using this tip to work around the slow times, part III.}

September 6, 2012 · 11 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, shop feature

Have you met the ladies behind Vintage Honey? They are incredibly enthusiastic + creative, and my guess is you’re going to finish reading their “Mama + Biz Owner” story feeling super revitalized with your own handmade shop. Owning and maintaining a shop is no easy task, life constantly changes as families grow + evolve, but knowing what keeps things turning full circle is key to handmade success and these ladies have it down! Yeow! I love their energy and tips on making it work… while having a lot of fun at the same time. When you’re finished with the feature be sure to join us in the comments — and remember you can view past Mama + Biz Owner posts here and here.

We are, Jennifer & Melissa… not only are we sister-in-laws (we married a set of cute brothers!)… we are BFF’s!! Between the two of us, we have five children!  Jennifer has all boys… oh-boy!  Jaden is 9, Jaxon is 4 & Jett is 2.  Melissa had two sweet kiddos, Kiana who is 7 & Kylen is 5.

We both co-own & run an sweet lil shop on Etsy, The Vintage Honey Shop!  We are based out of Nashville, TN.  We sell handmade paper & fabric items.  Jennifer is the fabric side of the shop & Melissa is the paper side!  But we both help each other out with everything!  We make a great team!  What our shop specializes in is our fabric beaded Teething Necklaces!  They are chic necklaces for Mama to wear, but babies can gum on them while they are teething!  Mama gets to look cute & she doesn’t have to worry about her necklace cutting her baby’s gums!  They are our top selling product that keeps us busy like bees!  You can come visit our {SHOP}, learn more about us on our {BLOG} or ‘like’ us on {FACEBOOK} to follow all the daily ins & outs of our shop!

Before we both had children, our lives consisted of working, going to school & spending time with our husbands.  When you don’t have kids to run after, you can throw yourself into projects & have uninterrupted time.  Once we had children, we learned real quick to adapt to constant interruptions.  We are both SAHM’s (with the exception of Melissa who works weekends as a Critical Care RN), so a typical day consists of trying to juggle caring for our children, homeschooling (Jennifer!), chauffeuring the kids to sport practices & “trying” to keep up our home!  Oh… and fitting in shop work in between!  Most of our shop work is done early in the morning, in between naps, sitting in the car rider line at school & in the lobby of gymnastics practice!  But the bulk of our work is done once our kiddos go to bed!  We try to schedule to have at least 1 work day a week in our studio (a spare room in Jennifer’s home) where we both work on stocking up on shop items.  We keep up with our social media outlets via our iPhones!  We can reply to emails, post pictures to Instagram & update our Facebook page all while running after our kids!

We both are very creative people, but we didn’t know just how to express those talents that were inside of us.  Maybe there was something about “creating life” inside of us that jump started the crafting bug!  We started crafting & sewing a just few years ago.  We mainly made things as gifts and for parties.  After a few years of hearing our friends & family members begging us to open up an Etsy shop, we decided to take the plunge!  We opened our shop in January of 2011.  We opened it for fun… not even sure anyone would buy anything.  In the beginning, running the shop was more of a hobby.  But now, as orders are pouring in, our focus has changed from being hobby based into more business based.  Even though our focus has changed, our level of fun hasn’t!

As women, we naturally adapt to changes in our lives to make things work… we have to! If we didn’t multi-task, nothing would get done!  We create, stock & fill orders in between our daily family lives.  Our faith, husbands & kids come first.  Our shop comes second.  It is a balance that we struggle with sometimes, but it is a work in progress.  The majority of the items in our shop are “Ready to Ship”, so that makes it easier on us & our busy lives to not having to worry about filling an order.  We do have a few “Made to Order” items, but we allow ourselves enough “turn around time” to be able to still create a quality product & still be able to put our family first.  Currently, it is just the two of us running our business.  We would eventually love to hire on more help in the future, but for now we are two-woman crew!

Since we went into our business already having children, we are learning as we go!  The biggest thing that has inspired us & has encouraged us to keep moving forward IS our children.  We want to inspire them & teach them that they can be entrepreneurs and business owners.  We want them to know that you can run a successful business… and have a great family life as well!  Our kids love our shop!  Jennifer’s son, Jaden, stalks our Facebook page fan numbers!  Even with the small amount of fans we have, he thinks we are famous!!  Melissa’s daughter, Kiana, loves to help us in anyway that she can in our necklace production!  She is our own lil intern!  We love to involve our children as much as we can, even if it means them running out our outgoing orders to the mail box!  We work around & with our children to create the BEST shop that we can!

Have fun with your work!  If you love what you do, it comes across in your work!  As a mother, your children are your first priority.  You really have no choice BUT to work around them!  Set time aside daily to focus on your business, even if that means during nap time, after they go to bed or on the weekends when Daddy can play with them while you work!  Ask for help when you need it!  Ask a retired neighbor-lady to come rock your baby while you work or hire a pre-teen to “baby sit”… they can gain experience & you will be nearby to lend a hand if they need it!  Also don’t let slow times in your business slow YOU down!  Use that opportunity to stock your shop up or create new products!  We have made a lot of items that we thought were great, but just didn’t sell.  We moved on to something new!  And we keep moving on!  We are constantly trying new products into our shop!  It keeps our creative juices flowing & keeps us from feeling stagnant!  We are always reading up & researching how we can make The Vintage Honey Shop the best that we can.  We certainly don’t feel like we have “made it” or “arrived”… but we are gonna “Fake it, till we make it!! :)

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SHARE WITH US: What encourages you to stay motivated and keep going? Do you struggle with this or do you have it figured out (for now)? What is the best tip you’ve received about having fun while balancing family + work life? How does multi-tasking fit into your day-to-day schedule? Do you do it or do you run from it? Share with us below!

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11 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, shop feature

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Comments

  1. Megan says

    September 6, 2012 at 5:47 am

    Sigh. Balance is hard. I’ve found that multi-tasking doesn’t work very well with kids at home. You really need to have all your concentration on one thing or the other. So, I try to use my time well and make every second count. And, I just try to do the most important things. Trying to do too much in a day leads to burnout and chaos. It simply takes me longer to do things than it used to. As far as having fun, we make sure to schedule a babysitter for 2 nights each month (we schedule the month before so it’s on the calendar!) and we have a date night. It’s invigorating for my husband and I…we keep all our other appointments like oil changes and dentist….why not schedule our dates? Also, the weekends are for family and we make sure to go out and do fun things with the kids then. No working on the weekend if I can help it! The motivation thing…I’ll never have figured out. I guess it comes in waves that I surf when I can! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 6, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      @Megan, Oh I love your perspective! I totally agree — multi-tasking isn’t for everyone. Especially depending on your kids ages and such. Love that you dedicate weekends to family, and you schedule date nights. A+++

      Reply
  2. Eubie McCrary says

    September 6, 2012 at 6:29 am

    I love this! I struggle I suppose in the area of taking advantage of the time I don’t have my kids around. It should also be a little easier because they are 16 and 10. I believe another challenge I have is my stuff is all over the house and I do not have one set place because I have years and years of supply accumulation. So with all this said I am at a place where I need to put my talent to work and NOW! I want to take it more serious and not just let everything around me control why I don’t move to the next level. Grrr… So if anyone can give me some tips on how to move to the next level that would be awesome! Thanks! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 6, 2012 at 6:00 pm

      @Eubie McCrary, What do you think about the idea of going through your supplies and narrowing them down to what you really have an interest in? You could set them aside in the basement or garage, don’t throw them away, but this way perhaps you could re-find your focus? xoxo

      Reply
  3. Sue Elisabeth says

    September 6, 2012 at 7:10 am

    I will totally look you up on FB – amazing!!!

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Gilkes, The Vintage Honey Shop says

    September 6, 2012 at 7:29 am

    Mulit-tasking works for us a day by day!! Some days it works, some days it doesn’t! Our kids are first…we try to never put our shop before them. As SAHM, our kids & husbands are our life 24/7. To be able to run a shop, we have to fit it in as much as we can, when we can! Our work spaces are near their playroooms, so we can work on our projects & watch them while they build forts! And most times we join in!! ;)

    But yes…it is HARD…we admit, it is a struggle…a very hard one, but one that we find worth trying to make work! Every day is a new way of trying to figure it all out & trying to make it work!

    Reply
  5. kate says

    September 6, 2012 at 11:13 am

    these kinds of buisnesses always amaze me!!

    Reply
  6. April Foss I Sew Lucky says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    Finding balance is VERY hard!! We have 5 kids and 1 on the way (as Gussy already knows this:))) and somedays I am just too tired to get in the studio. My shop has been opened for 4 yrs now and it has done very well, but there are for sure ups and downs in the business. Something that I struggle with thinking is it me, is my shop, am I over:/ Totally agree that you have to keep going and try (but it is soooo hard) not to compare to others.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 6, 2012 at 6:01 pm

      @April Foss I Sew Lucky, …or maybe you need to hire help ♥

      Reply
  7. Mindy Harris says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    i loved this post, girls, and could relate so well, as i have a 4 and 2 year old to chase around while trying to run a business. my business currently consists of my blog (it doesn’t bring in much) and a little area in a brick-mortar store, where i work thursdays and some saturdays. i struggle with keeping enough handmade in the shop, so have reworked what product i offer to make it be things that take less of my time. i am constantly worried about balancing family, the Lord, marriage, maintaining a household, friends..plus the blog and shop. i just keep my head up even when i’m not seeing the “success” i’d like…most of all i do it because i love it and want to bless people. thanks for your advice!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 6, 2012 at 6:03 pm

      @Mindy Harris, Hey girl! Taking time to know what your priorities are will make running your shop so much easier, that’s for sure. And I love the challenge of finding a way to make it all work, even though it may be super crazy at times. Keep chugging forward, if you love it everything will align perfectly. xoxo

      Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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