Before I start this post, let me just say a BIG thank you to Heather MacFayden of Don’t Mom Alone, formally God Centered Mom. She had me on her podcast right after I started Lunchbox Babies, and she has always been so supportive of me.  Sweet Heather told me about a blogging conference here in Dallas, and it STARTS TODAY! I am going to throw on some lipstick, drink a ton of coffee, and act like I have a clue what I am doing.  Wish me luck!

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I am a BIG believer that supporting each other can only help to inspire us and benefit our own growth. I am so blessed to have so many successful women in my life.  So many women that have started something for themselves, and worked hard to grow their businesses.  Each woman I know has had a different inspiration and a different “WHY” behind what they do, but all of them are so inspiring to me.  We all just want the best for ourselves, and our journeys are all unique. You guys all know my why behind this little blog.  If you are a new reader and don’t know my story, click here.  Besides this blog, I sell Plexus (which I love . . . hello, JOYOME . . . best product on the skincare market) and Somoderm HGH Gel (my nails are growing like a weed and my knees don’t hurt as much!)  I believe in both products, and love that I am able to help others get healthy AND help my family financially.

Today, I want to introduce you to two women and a family of sisters.  I love ALL of these amazing women, and am thrilled to have them in my life.  They are all inspirations to me in how they manage their businesses, their families, and their lives!  I think you will see an interesting theme running throughout why they started their businesses.  Very inspirational.  They also sell some pretty awesome products. So, make sure to click on their links at the bottom of this post and do a little shopping! I am also sponsoring an AWESOME GIVEAWAY.  So check that out below as well!

kristen, janey & margo, liz & honey

Kristen, Janey and Margo have been in my life WAY before they knew who I was.  They are the cousins of one of my oldest and dearest friends from college, and I have heard many fun stories over the years.  When Kristen and Janey brought their children to our sweet little school, it was so fun to get to know them and finally put a name with those faces! Both of their oldest children match up with my youngest! Also, I am totally up for arranging a marriage between Jackson and Janey’s precious oldest daughter! 😉

How long have you had your business? We (Kristen and Janey) launched Accessory Auctions on Facebook in October of 2011, so we are about to celebrate our 7th birthday! We changed our name to Liz & Honey in 2014 when we launched our website. And our store in Inwood Village opened in January 2018 and we just signed a 5-year lease last week!!!

What was your initial inspiration (your “why”) when you started your business? It all started with a conversation of, “What can we do on the side?” Our first babies were turning one, so we were totally looking for an easy side hustle to make a little extra money- not anything that would make us full time workers. Being at home with our kiddos has always been our number one priority.  But, an entrepreneurial spirit is part of our DNA -from our Dad! He was always pursuing ideas and inspired us to work hard and follow our dreams. We thought it would be fun to do something together and never dreamed of what it would become!

Has that “why” changed or evolved over the time that you have had your business? Yes and no! Accessory Auctions took off in a matter of months and our little side hustle became a full-time job for us and a night job for our husbands and Mom. The demand was overwhelming, and we were forced to grow with it or give it all up. Thankfully our main priority never changed, and the Lord offered us a way – our families were growing, and we wanted to be with our kids. Margo to the rescue – God’s perfect timing! Our youngest sister, Margo, graduated from college just in time to become our manager, allowing us to step back and become more hands off while the company continued to grow at a steady pace. So, the why became more about keeping up with our demand – staying successful while being stay at home moms – we had to get creative and release control, which meant making less money – a sacrifice we were willing to make for our kiddos. We never could have imagined that this side hustle turned full time business would ever allow us the opportunity to work together as three sisters! A dream come true!

How has your business impacted your lives?  We clearly recognize that this business is from the Lord! He gave us the idea, He made it all possible and continues to give us wisdom and guidance. Seeing His hand in this so clearly has been amazing! It’s one of the most tangible ways I’ve seen the Lord at work – because we’d all agree that we have nothing – no background in business, fashion, managing people or money and yet we have a successful business that continues to grow right before our very eyes – that’s God – there is no other explanation! Seeing Him at work continues to impact our lives and easily motivates us to ask Him how we can honor Him in our business and give Him all the glory. We made a decision early on to not do any work on Sundays (even though that was the best day to work while the dads could watch the kids), to not hold Facebook or Instagram auctions on Sundays (which was the most popular night to have them) and the Lord has always surprised us with success.

kim, stella & dot

My sweet sister-in-law, Kim, has always been an inspiration to watch from the sidelines.  She is currently a Senior Director with Stella Dot, just got her real estate license in Florida, and manages the busy lives of her three precious girls.  I mean, how precious are my nieces!?!?!

How long have you had your business? 8 YEARS

What was your initial inspiration (your “why”) when you started your business? My Initial “Why” was really three-fold …
1. To earn free and discounted jewelry because I loved the products so much and thought I might as well rep it and get a great deal on all of it!
2. I was feeling a bit “lost” in mommyhood after getting a Finance Degree from Georgetown and then an MBA from Darden plus I had opened and, shortly after, closed a business when the recession hit in 2008. So, I’d been back “home” as a full-time mommy for almost 2 years when Stella & Dot appeared in my world.  My kiddos were 6, 4, and 1 and I just felt like I needed a little something “else” to occupy my time and my mind.  I liked the idea of having a super flexible business that I could work while continuing to be the mommy I wanted to be.
3. I also joined for the social aspect of the business.  Being a full time mom can sometimes be lonely and I loved the idea of getting out of the house, meeting and socializing with interesting women, doing something for ME, maybe 1 night a week, while also earning a bit of money!

Has that “why” changed or evolved over the time that you have had your business? Absolutely – my “WHY” has changed dramatically over the past 8 years.  I started off completely “dabbling” in a fun little side business but I pretty quickly realized that this business allowed me to recapture myself and engaged my mind in a new way.  So … about 6 months into the business, I started just very casually sharing my joy with others and I started to build a team of women who ALSO wanted to have something great and interesting and different for themselves.  My initial team members were mostly stay at home moms who, like me, had great backgrounds & degrees and felt like they had “lost themselves” a bit and Stella & Dot helped them to rediscover their “old selves”.  But I also started just sharing the opportunity far and wide and found that women of all ages, all backgrounds, all races, all stages of life were looking for something different or something in addition to their full time gigs in life.  Stella & Dot has become their fun “side hustle” when they don’t love what they do on a daily basis, or when they need some extra income to pay for travel or shopping or nails/hair or to put toward school tuition, etc.  My Why is absolutely, now, to help women be their best version of themselves and to use this fun business to pay for things, whether necessities or luxuries, and to do it 100% on their own time and their own terms.  I absolutely LOVE helping women to anything they want with this business … because they CAN!!

How has your business impacted your lives?  Initially this business helped me recapture ME after being a stay at home mom for nearly 6 years and then after opening a business that failed in a short period of time.  So I attribute this business to getting me “back in the game”, more mentally than anything else.  But more than that, it has 100% completely changed my perspective on business in general.   In particular, it has changed my view on business for women & moms.  I used to think that in order to be successful, I needed to go the “corporate” route, climb the ladder, be at a desk job from 8am to 6pm or longer hours, travel, etc.  Stella & Dot has opened my eyes to an entirely different OPTION for women/people to be able to work on their own terms and their own time. I actually love working!  I love being/feeling productive, I love being/feeling successful (and we all get to define success in our own way) but this business has made me realize that I don’t have to choose … career OR motherhood … I can absolutely do both!!  I’m so thankful for being exposed to this opportunity that has truly changed my life and changed my mindset.  I’m also so thankful to be able to share this journey with my 3 daughters to show THEM that they should absolutely do what they love when they get older, and they don’t have to choose a successful career over motherhood.  They too, can do both, because there are so many different opportunities out there for them!

Have life issues changed your view point on your business?  Yes, life issues/situations have strengthened my passion for this business.  I have moved 3 times since I’ve been a stylist, we’ve had financial struggles, emotional struggles with our daughters, no major health issues, thank goodness, but minor health “stuff” along the way, and just lots of life “STUFF” going on the entire 8 years I’ve been a stylist.  These issues have made me more and more grateful to have flexibility and to be able to just “put it aside” (the business) when I’ve needed to, and I’ve needed to many times.  As my daughters get older, I swear life actually gets busier, which I didn’t think was possible, and they need me more and more nearly every day.  Big kids, big problems, you know.  And I’m just so so very grateful to be able to be present for them!  To be home in the mornings as they head off to school, to be home in the afternoon when they arrive home, to be able to carpool them and their friends around to activities and be “in tune” with what is going on.  I don’t feel like I’d have the opportunities to be nearly as involved if I didn’t have my own business that I get to control.  So the more life throws at me/us, the more I am grateful to be able to continue to run a flexible business but also be able to really be the mama I want to be!

misty persefield, marketing & beautycounter

Misty and I have kids at the same school.  My oldest and her middle match up, and it has been such a joy to get to know Misty over the years!  Misty has three kids, and not one, but TWO businesses!

How long have you had your business? I started a marketing consultancy about 6 years ago as a way to keep connected to my business network and continue to develop my professional skills. About 18 months ago, I launched a “side-hustle” that complemented my lifestyle and the flexible hours I value.

What was your initial inspiration (your “why”) when you started your business? I have always enjoyed applying myself and being a part of a team to achieve objectives and hit goals. Applying myself to projects both inside and outside my home allow for both collaboration and challenge that allow me to thrive. Now more than ever, I find there are opportunities to contribute with flexible and remote work relationships. For this, I am grateful! By the time our middle child was starting school, having work pursuits became an excellent way to help chip-in, as the Lord provided, for the extra financial burden brought with private schooling.  Now, why launch a Beautycounter business? Well, turning 40 has caused me to focus on health in a new way. Educating myself on choices beyond foods and supplements that impact health and wellness became a passion. As I began to make changes in the kinds of products we were using in our home, I found joy in sharing things that worked well for me and that I was actually already spreading the mission of Beautycounter — to get safer products in the hands of everyone. Plus, who doesn’t love a good discount?

How has your business impacted your lives?  God has used business opportunities to expand my network, to allow me to rely on His beautiful provision (both financially and through friends and family who have swapped carpools and playdates) and to see His faithfulness to give exactly what our family needs.  My marketing consultancy has benefited greatly from the skills I practice in my Beautycounter business.

Has faith impacted your business in any way?  As mentioned a bit above, being a part-time working mom, I have had so many opportunities to see the hand of God as He provides extras for our family. I have had meetings pop up, last minute, and within minutes had a text message asking if my children could play during that same time. I have learned to say “yes” to opportunities, even when the circumstances may stretch me because God is good to work out details when I let Him.  I have also had the chance to work by business with integrity and love for others that only comes from Jesus. I have been able to connect with beautiful people who may not be followers of Christ and get to know them, hear their story and share mine.

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shopping & a giveaway

Y’all! How inspiring are these women?!?! Click the links below to shop with them and support their businesses.  I have spent some money with all three, and you won’t be disappointed!

Liz & Honey. This boutique is precious.  Great clothes and accessories at great prices.  I have several shirts from there, and it is also a go to of mine for gifts! Click here to shop with Kristen, Janey & Margo!

Stella & Dot.  Kim sells jewelry, purses, scarves, clothing, and so much more.  I just bought the Addy Poncho in Heather Grey, and can’t wait to wear it when it drops below 70 degrees in Dallas! Click here to shop with Kim!

BeautyCounter. Misty sells amazing products for your skin.  All natural products that you can feel great putting on yourself and your family! I love the Rejuvenating Cleanser.  It is awesome for us ladies that aren’t in our 20s anymore.  Or 30s. Click here to shop with Misty!

AND . . . the GIVEAWAY! I believe in all three of these businesses, so I am personally supporting them, and grabbing gift cards for one lucky winner! The winner will get a $50 gift card to each business! I am jealous!
TO ENTER TO WIN:
1. Go to my Lunchbox Babies Instagram page
2. Make sure that you are following my page! I also highly suggest you follow @lizandhoney, @stylebykimjones, and @beautiful.clean.simple
3. Once you are following my page, comment FOLLOWED on this post’s picture!
4. The winner will be chosen next week!
Good luck, and happy shopping! XO