Wow!  It’s been over a month, and my Free Babes world has just exploded, and I’m totally guilty of the being too “in” the business and not focusing on the bigger picture, which is building and developing this blog and community of creative entrepreneurs!  So, I’m back.  I have 5 interviews completed and in the pipeline, and you can expect 1 a week (and maybe 2 some weeks!) along with new content in between. 🙂

BUT, let’s focus back in on TODAY.  I’m so excited to present my interview with Lindsay Rogers, owner and creator behind Wren’s Nest Creations!  Lindsay is currently a one-woman-show, and her business has exploded through instagram.  She makes the CUTEST colorful canvas shoes for babies and kids, and has a great story to tell behind her business.  I hope you guys learn a ton – and specifically be on the lookout for 1 thing you can take today and incorporate into your business.

So without further ado, meet Lindsay!  You can read the Q&A below, and we also have about a 30 min. Skype recorded interview as well!

https://youtu.be/iujFHZ_nSAk

“Hello ladies! My name is Lindsay and I am mom to an almost 3 year-old named Wren and a toy poodle called Pickles. I have a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts and own the shop Wren’s Nest Creations. I make shoes and clothing for spunky tots! It has been a bumpy ride but I hope my story helps you create a smoother journey to a life you love!” – Lindsay 

Hillary: What did you do before Wrens Nest Creations? How did you decide to start your own business?

Lindsay: I  worked at the Columbus College of Art & Design teaching drawing and design to college kids. I was laid off two days before Wren was born so I had a lot of free time to spend with her. One day when she was three months old, I found a cute little pattern for a pair of shoes. I made a pair for her and my mom told me I could probably sell them! The business just grew from there!

Hillary: Can you give us a brief history of Wrens Nest Creations? How long have you been in business? What has your growth looked like?

Lindsay: I made my first pair in October of 2012. I started trying to sell them a couple months later. I started my own website in May 2013 and opened an Etsy shop in June. My business really started to pick up speed in November 2013 when I discovered Instagram!

Hillary: What’s your big picture WHY? What motivates you to work hard and build your business? What is your ultimate lifestyle goal?

Lindsay: My big picture is to continue to expand my business because I love making shoes and clothing. I also love to travel and hope to be able to expose Wren to lots of exciting places and gain inspiration along the way. My daughter is my biggest motivator. I do everything for her! I want her to live a creative and happily inspired life. I hope I can lead by example.

Hillary: Where did you find your mentors, or resources to help learn about entrepreneurship and running a successful business?

Lindsay: I just looked at businesses I thought were doing well on Instagram and I took note of what they were doing. I watched how they achieved success and I incorporated practices like blog reviews, giveaways and pre-sales into my business.

Hillary: Can you tell a story of a specific failure you encountered while building Wrens Nest Creations? What did you learn from it? What would you consider are your strengths as a business owner?

Lindsay: My biggest failure was not reaching out to other business owners in the beginning. I really thought I had to do everything by myself. It led to slower growth. I learned that we can achieve faster success by reaching out and connecting with others; partnering with other shops to create exciting collaborations. My strength has always been in my craftsmanship and attention to detail. I love the process of making something. When an idea pops into my head, I can’t wait to create it!

Hillary: Do you currently have 1099s or employees? Or are you a one-woman show? If you have help, what advice do you have to give about scaling your business and outsourcing responsibilities through hiring to help grow? Do you have any advice on when to start scaling the business, hiring employees, and bookkeeping etc.?

Lindsay: I recently have had my sister help me by tracing and cutting out shoe pieces. I am looking into bringing on another employee but I am in the beginning stages of the whole process. I knew I needed help when I was staying up half the night working and I had turnaround times of 4-5 weeks. I just knew it was too much work for a single mom to do on her own.

Hillary: How many hours per week do you work? How do you balance family life with work?

Lindsay: I probably work anywhere from 35-70 hours a week. I am still working on balancing family life with work. I feel like I could always do better but I just try to stay in the moment with Wren when I am spending time with her. I try to plan something we can do each day that is special.

Hillary: I’m Like Brave is about creating an uncommon life. What does an “uncommon life” you love look like for you? How does your business help create this ideal lifestyle?

Lindsay: I love traveling and new exciting experiences. I love spending time with friends and family. Having my own business helps me stay flexible and open to new events and experiences coming up!

Hillary: What has been the most exciting thing to happen to your business so far?

Lindsay: My leggings were featured in the March 2015 issue of Pregnancy and Newborn and my shoes are in the May 2015 issue.

Future Goals and Growth:

Hillary: What is your ultimate vision for your business in the coming year? Where do you see Wrens Nest Creations in 5 years?

Lindsay: In the next year I would like to add an employee or two. I would ultimately like to have ready to ship items as well as made to order specialty items.

Hillary: What’s holding you back from where you are now and your end game?

Lindsay: Money. Money. Money. There are things I would like to do but it is hard when everything you bring in goes to supporting your child.

Hillary: What is it that you need help with right now, and if you could get free advice that would solve your problem right now, what would it be?

Lindsay: I need help with finding employees and delegating responsibilities. It is hard for me to give up control of the whole shoemaking process.

Hillary: If you could sit down with any entrepreneur for a 2 hour lunch and pick their brain, who would it be and why?

Lindsay: Susan from Freshly Picked. She started from the ground up like me and now she is super successful.

Hillary: What advice would you give your “just starting a business” self knowing everything you know now?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Friends, bloggers, shop owners, etc. The worst they can say is “no”. Then you just have to find someone else to ask.

Fun Facts:

Hillary: Do you have a morning ritual or routine?

Lindsay: coffee.

Hillary:  If you could do anything in the world, with no possibility of failure, what would it be?

Lindsay: Travel the world for a month and experience different cultures and design aesthetics. I would love a new perspective and a chance to get my hands on some new fabrics and materials!

Hillary: What’s the best business book you’ve read?

Lindsay: The Secret.

Hillary: What’s your favorite success quote and why?

Lindsay: “Maybe. my dear, they’ll catch up to you in time, but if they don’t you just keep running ahead. With any luck there’s a finish line out there none of them has ever even seen.” To me this means be different, be unique. Don’t worry about the path others. Just be you.

Hillary: Closing thoughts to other entrepreneurs or those on the verge of starting a business?

Lindsay: Good Luck! Just keep going! Even if you feel like quitting, just keep going. Success doesn’t happen overnight.

 Well, thanks so much for sharing your story Lindsay.  We can’t wait to follow along and watch as your business continues to explode.  Wishing you luck with hiring help!

You can find Lindsay on instagram: @wrensnestcreations and on her website here.

Stay tuned next week for an interview with Kendal and Brian Throckmorton, owners of Hello Love Handmade.  First time interviewing a married couple business team!

Be Brave,

Hillary