Super excited to be interviewing Amy, the creator and business brains behind June & January.  To be honest, we all kind of want to be Amy… she makes being a mom and killer business owner look pretty rad and glamorous with her instagram uploads of cute baby lap pics of Juni and maple lattes in her hip Brooklyn office. (#exposedbrickandlotsoflighteverywhere)  But it gets better: Amy is a giver.  She is always posting about other smaller handmade shops on her instagram feed and cross-promoting to help smaller brands and has a genuine heart to help mentor others.

You can read the following Q&A, or watch the recorded Skype interview below (or both, of course).  I hope you learn a TON!

So let’s go….

I’m Amy — CEO and founder of June & January (formerly Little Hip Squeaks). I live in Brooklyn with my husband and two kiddos, and drink an obscene amount of coffee.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRoq4y9XOHc">https://youtu.be/iSVD1E7bHaI</a>

What did you do before June and January?  How did you decide to start your own business?

I had a really great job in the production and prepress of Teen Vogue. Long hours and crazy deadlines. It was good prep for running a business — ha. I started my business somewhat accidentally, after being told by some friends to sell the baby hats I was making on Etsy!

Can you give us a brief history of June and January?  How long have you been in business?  What has your growth looked like?  Can you tell us a story of some of the “unglamorous” moments just starting up?

I started in August of 2011 — sewing at the kitchen table of my stiflingly hot one bedroom apartment. The first year of growth was fast and furious, I was able to quit my job in May 2012. I’ve since built an in-house team of six, plus contracted manufacturers, distributors, public relations, designers and web teams. We’ve made over 1M in revenue. We’ve outgrown our office in Brooklyn. It’s been an unexpected, exciting ride! One of my least favorite tasks was that I used to print and hand cut these vellum strip that we wrapped around our blankets — it took forever to put these stupid things together and it was the most miserable, menial task. I spent so much time doing it! In fact — when I approached my now Director of Ops to come work for me, THAT was the job I wanted her to do.

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?

My business allows me to have a somewhat hybrid Stay At Home Mom life. I have so much flexibility to attend preschool events, or take my kids to the aquarium in the middle of the afternoon on a Friday, or play hookie two days in a row to go to the beach during a heatwave. At the same time, I have a great job that brings in enough income for us to live comfortably in an expensive city.

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

I think I speak for everyone in the kids’ industry when I say that Susan of Freshly Picked is a huge icon for me. I’m lucky enough to have her as one of my closest friends, and every time I work out of her offices I feel so motivated and excited for what’s possible as an entrepreneur. I also love reading business blogs, listening to podcasts and reading press releases from other companies that are doing it right. There is so much knowledge out there, it can be overwhelming, but I try to at least make sure I spend two hours a week reading and soaking up information.

Can you tell a story about the biggest business “lesson” you have learned so far?

You gotta spend money to make money. Last year I kept our budget really prudent, and I had these revenue goals that were literally completely unattainable without adding more inventory. Like, you can’t make $10 if you only have $5 worth of stuff to sell. So this year we have really put the gas on with a lot of things — inventory, PR, SEO, click ads, seeding. I’m pretty much prepared to make a net profit of $0 this year. But again, spend money to make money.

How many people do you employ?  What does the infrastructure of your business look like?  Any advice on when or how to hire or outsource?

I have a Director of Operations, Community Manager, Production Manager, Office Manager, and a Designer. We also contract a Social Media Assistant, Ecommerce Specialist, a Public Relations team, manufacturing and distribution. Hire your first employee when you dread starting work in the morning.

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

I am in the office 10-330 M-W. I usually work Thursday mornings from home or if its a crazy week I’ll work at the office, but I always take Fridays off — which is where the balance comes in. My afternoons, Fridays and all weekend is for my family (or the ever elusive “me time”). I’m big on quality vs quantity — so we pack in a lot of adventures.

If you were to teach a college course on entrepreneurship, what would the course be titled?  What is one lesson you would teach us?

I would probably do something on growing an online community, since it’s been so integral in our success. BUT — I feel like there are already 40 online courses with that premise, so it would be something way more fun like “how to entertain a 5 month old in the office”.

What has been the most exciting thing to happen to your business so far?  How did it happen?

I get excited about everything! When we add a new style, when we hire a new employee, when we have a good sales day! Looking back, when we started manufacturing, that was a huge huge huge defining moment. It was scary as hell at the time, but in retrospect I can’t imagine being sustainable any other way.

What is your ultimate vision for your business in the coming year?   Where do you see June and January in 5 years?

This year is really about brand awareness. We’re allocating our budget to the right places to make J&J a household name for children’s’ basics. I’d love to open a flagship store in the next five years — but unless I want to spend $1125 per square foot, it won’t be in Brooklyn.

What’s holding you back from where you are now and your ultimate goals?

My budget! I like to go 100% into one project at a time, rather than putting money in a lot of different routes at once. I think it ultimately makes me check off a to-do list a lot faster.

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

Be patient. Set small goals. Spend money to make money.

That says it all.  Leave any questions or comments for Amy below and I’ll make sure to connect you!

You an find Amy online at June and January as well as on their instagram: @juneandjanuary.

Be Brave!

Hillary