posted by:knoxmom

What do you moonlight as apart from being a mama?
Besides my #1 job as Keaton’s mommy, I work full time at Scripps Networks Interactive in the Research Department which means my days are full of nerdy spreadsheets, but in my “free time” I’m a Design Partner for Javis Davis. You could say I’ve gone spreadsheets to crib sheets!  As a Design Partner, I can help clients design baby and big kid bedding with Javis Davis’ coordinated fabric collections—bedding, throw pillows, valances and more!

What are your children’s first names and how old are they?
My daughter, Keaton, is 18 months old now.

What do you love to do with your kid(s)?

In the summer we love swimming and taking evening walks with our neighbors.  We can also be heard singing silly songs while fixing dinner. And, Keaton loves to water the flowers with me.

What makes you happy?
Beyond the obvious answers of being a mommy and a wife, I like simple sewing projects…a rewarding way to play with fabric.  And, chocolate makes me happy as well as Diet Coke and my dog, Ruby Sue.

What’s your favorite family past-time?
My family loves to travel! People say once you have a baby you end up staying home a lot…not us!  We love road trips and plane trips and we’re lucky to have an outgoing little girl who loves to explore new places from the beach to snowy Minnesota where her uncle lives.

How much time do you spend working from home each week?
I put in around 10 hours a week between appointments, administrative work and blogging.  That’s in addition to my 40-hour day job.

How did you come up with your business concept or start your business?
I purchased Keaton’s bedding from Javis Davis in 2007 and had a wonderful experience designing it with Mary Lou, the owner and lead designer.  I learned some very good tips in the design process, was impressed by the outstanding customer service and I’m still in love with Keaton’s bedding so when I saw their call for Design Partners I knew it was something I had to try.  I applied, interviewed and got one of 8 positions. 

In support of my role as a Javis Davis Design Partner, I started a blog (www.littleoneofakinddesign.blogspot.com) to share ideas, opinions and showcase some of my work.

Was it something completely new or did you have prior experience?
I’ve always loved playing with fabric and friends/family sometimes ask me for help finishing off a room, but for the most part this is new for me.  Or rather, it is an “official” way to do something I just dabbled in. 

What’s your number 1 tip for combining work and family lives?
Family comes first, always. No exceptions.  I couldn’t work full time and moonlight if I didn’t have support from my husband and love from Keaton.  Time management is another key…limit yourself to a couple of small goals each week.

What’s your one trick that you feel has helped to make you successful?

Business: Moms are very willing to support moms.  And, the word of mouth advertising from one mom to another is priceless!

Design: I usually tell my clients that if they just pick things they like a room will probably come together nicely.  There are some rules of thumb to coordinating fabrics and colors so I can help guide you there.  No need to worry about matching colors exactly or over-themeing a room.  Pick things you like in a loose color scheme and you’ll have a beautiful room!

In what ways do you use the internet or technology to further your business?

Javis Davis has great online tools such as the crib configurator (http://javisdavis.com/designstudio/cribstyles.php?collection=178 ) so it is easy to see your custom design as you go.  As a design partner I have access to some additional tools for designing pillows and valances.

I also blog because I can’t keep all these opinions to myself! Among my circle of friends, I've been known to have a few opinions on things like overly-themed kids' rooms (7,000 dancing Winnie the Poohs chasing honey pots in a never-ending circle around a room) and baby rooms that don't "grow with" a child.  Now I'm sharing those opinions, and solutions to avoid my pet peeves, with the blogging world where we're all allowed to have an opinion. (www.littleoneofakinddesign.blogspot.com)

I also use facebook (julielink) and twitter (luliejink)!  But I’m still figuring out twitter!!

Lots of moms dream of working for themselves any warnings/tips?
Ask yourself if you’d want to work for yourself…meaning if you were an employee would you want you as your boss?  You have to be disciplined and able to juggle, but it is very rewarding to do something you love, the way you want to do it!