A few months ago I went to Arizona to visit Jake’s family, and I had the chance to grab coffee with Uyen Carlson, owner of Crew & Lu. I knew I liked her from this interview below, but getting to talk business in person was so fun! Uyen’s head is always buzzing with new and creative business ideas and she is not only a talented designer, but she leads her business with vision and passion. I also love her names for her team members. It’s always nice to meet people who you instantly connect with, and your business minds totally “click”.
#pressplay to watch our Skype interview below, and then read the written Q&A below! If you have any questions for Uyen, leave them below in the comments section and I will connect you!
Enjoy!
Meet Uyen!
“Hi! I’m Uyen (prounced win) and I am wife and mom of two kiddos. Crew is three and Ella is one. I am the owner/designer of Crew & Lu LLC, a children’s brand encompassing modern, unique, bold pieces.”
What did you do before Crew & Lu? How did you decide to start your own business?
Before I had my own business, I taught figure skating as my full time job. I know- we actually have ice skating in the desert, Ha! I started Crew & Lu after I had my son. It was a creative outlet that grew beyond my wildest dreams. And at the that time, the fashion world for babies was not as diverse as it is now. So I decided to design and make clothes for him. My friends got wind and I started to make clothes for their kids. Three years ago, I opened an ecommerce site and never looked back.
Can you give us a brief history of Crew & Lu? 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? Crew & Lu was established in 2013. Everything evolved from a little space in my home. I sewed late nights into the wee hours of the morning for several years while juggling kids and another job. I have felt so many “unglamorous” moments while growing this business. Most of which pulling all nighters to meet deadlines. Up until recently most of my work was done during the twilight hours, kids sleeping means get all you can done. Haha. I think most other small business can relate to the lack of sleep and sacrifices it takes to keep a handmade business running. Thank goodness for Netflix and bottomless cups of coffee. We have been fortunate enough to be able to move into a studio space outside of our home which has still been a dream.
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?
Oh boy… an “uncommon life” would be travelling all over the world and living like Beyonce. But that’s not being realistic, ha! However, my business gives me my dream job goal. Flexibility. It gives me the ability to be in charge of my success and schedule. If I can be able to contribute with my husband to provide for our kids and be able to be there to pick them up from school or be present for their activities, then I am definately content. Plus I get to be creative. I’d say that’s a pretty ideal lifestyle 🙂
Where did you find your mentors, or resources to help learn about entrepreneurship and running a successful business?
I have been lucky to make some really great connections with other shop owners when I was first starting out. I really value those relationships I have built and love that we can understand what one other is going through. It is always comforting to know someone can sympathize with you. I feel a lot about owning a small business was learning stuff out on my own. Trial and error. Making mistakes is inevitable but it helps you learn the ins and outs of your business, making you a master of your craft. I’m starting to read more on entrepreneurship and getting into podcasts. But darn it, I can’t keep away from darn netflix or hulu. HA!
Can you tell a story about the biggest business “lesson” you have learned so far?
My biggest lesson I have learned so far is time management. And I am still trying to figure it out. I try to fit too much on my plate but when you are growing a business you can’t do everything and do it well. So finding good help is key!
How many people do you employ? What does the infrastructure of your business look like?
I have been lucky to be surrounded by a great team of people who have become my Crew & Lu family. Our family consists of local seamstresses here in Arizona that are so talented and help with the growth of our brand. We care that every garment is ethically produced and I oversee every stitch of every garment. I still sew so you might receive a piece from yours truly. We also have our Babe of Business Development, she’s my wing-woman who handles everything from public relations to anything else we need done at the studio. We also have our Money Tree Arborist. Let’s face it, I may be asian but I’m not good with numbers. Haha. As you can see, we like fun titles here at our company. I wanted to create an environment where we all love coming to work and where it doesn’t become work anymore. More where, it’s a creative hub and we can inspire each other 🙂
I would suggest if you are looking to hire, to look into what you are needing help with the most. Whether it’s shipping or sewing, just something where it can free your hands so you can focus on the most important. Building your business. Then slowly add to that equation.
How many hours per week do you work? How do you balance family life with work? I work non-stop.
The downside of owning your own business is there is always something to do. There isn’t enough hours in the day so honestly I don’t really keep track, I just do. Like right now, I’m typing this and it’s 4 AM. Balancing family life and work life has been challenging especially with a three and one year old. I plan everything the beginning of the week and just try to prioritize what’s important and get those things done first. I use to get pretty down on myself if I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to but I’ve learned that you can’t beat yourself up and that tomorrow is a new day.
If you were to teach a college course on entrepreneurship, what would the course be titled? What is one lesson you would teach us?
Can I be candid, my college course would be titled, “Sh*t they don’t teach you in college”. Haha, I kid. Ok really, it would probably be titled, “Reach beyond your expectations”. And one lesson is just commit and you will find a way.
What has been the most exciting thing to happen to your business so far? How did it happen?
That’s so hard to choose because I always think everything is exciting. But it would definitely be moving into our studio space!
What is your ultimate vision for your business in the coming year? Where do you see Crew & Lu in 5 years?
For the coming year I hope to see growth within our brand by collaborating with other creatives. And in five years, I would love to be a creative hub for other artists and maybe venture into another clothing entity.
What’s holding you back from where you are now and your ultimate goals?
Time. I need more time to get things done. But I do know it will eventually work itself out and everything will fall into place with careful planning.
What is it that you need help with right now in order to take your business to the next level?
Just organizing and enforcing our schedule.
If you could sit down with any entrepreneur for a 2 hour lunch and pick their brain, who would it be and why? What would you ask her?
I would love to have a lunch date with Lauren Conrad. She is the cutest and a smart businesswoman. I would ask her how she decides to invest her time/financials into a project.
What advice would you give your “just starting a business” self knowing everything you know now?
Be patient and don’t look at what others are doing. Your business is like your child. They will be individuals and will grow into what they are suppose to be.
Jamie Tardy, podcaster at “The Eventual Millionaire” says millionaires share 2 habits: they all journal and they all have a morning ritual. What does your morning ritual ideally look like?
Coffee and Snuggling with my kiddos.
If you could do anything in the world, with no possibility of failure, what would it be?
Be a singer!
What’s been the best business book you’ve read?
Probably not technically a business book but “The Glitter Plan” by Gela Nash-Taylor and Booth Moore. Because it is inspirational to me.
What’s your favorite success quote and why?
If you work hard and are nice to people…Amazing things will happen. Self-explanatory.
Closing thoughts to other entrepreneurs or those on the verge of starting a business:
Do it and don’t look back 🙂
Great stuff! I’m so happy to have gotten to know Uyen and can’t wait to continue to watch Crew and Lu skyrocket!
You can connect with Uyen at www.shopcrewandlu.com and on instagram @crewandlu. She is generously offering 15% off to all readers through January 18 with code: imlikebrave.
Be Brave,
Hillary
Such a great read! I love hearing other maker’s stories and love Uyen’s creations. As a new small shop, I’d like to ask her what advice she has for growing a new small business and getting your name out and noticed.
Thanks! 🙂