Oh, mamas! Do I have a post for you! I am so excited to share some of my favorite small shops - created by passionate mamas who have YOU in mind. Whether you want to get some beautiful shots of your family, grab a shirt or two for you, help your kids in school, or snag some goodies for your kids AND your home - look no further.
These hardworking mamas helped me by writing their stories themselves. Go take a look - then go visit them and maybe help out a small biz or two!
Jennifer Spencer Photography
Instagram / Facebook
My name is Jennifer Spencer, and my love of photography has turned into the most rewarding and fulfilling job. My three kids have been the perfect subjects through the years and because of them, my love for photography grew. Now, my hobby has become my passion. I am a self-taught, studio and natural light, portrait photographer for almost 10 years, but my passion is newborn photography. I started the newborn side of my business about two years ago, and now it is my specialty. I provide families with the best memories you can have during the most hectic and exhausting time of their life. I always remind my *
tired* parents during their newborn sessions that once they get their newborn images hung and decorated in their home, their baby will have already changed and won’t look quite like the newborn they brought home. Posing newborns is a challenging and physical job. At the start of each session, I have to take the time to get to know each newborn and recognize what soothes them (some babies like patting while others prefer rocking), what keeps them happy (a pacifier, shushing, head rubs) and what positions they are most comfortable with (not all babies will do every pose!). In a typical session, I can spend upwards of 20 minutes perfecting a pose while keeping your newborn sleepy and comfortable at the same time. My studio space is kept very warm, so I am a sweaty mess by the time my 3 hour sessions are done!
I didn’t start out with newborns, my journey started with families and children. I learned how to use natural light by trial and (lots) of errors, learned how to shoot full manual and how to use my camera to make the best images. After every family session I would take a moment to figure out what I didn’t like about the session, figure out how to make it better, and use that at my next session. I never stop learning and trying new techniques. The most important rule I learned the hard way was to get your images correct in camera! It takes so much practice but it’s worth it. Luckily, I have great friends and family who don't mind me taking their pictures (all the time) so I could perfect manual mode. I wouldn’t trade my busy photography life for anything! I love it!
Chicks Picks Boutique
Instagram / Facebook
My name is Christina, and I am the owner of Chicks Picks Boutique. I have over 15 years of retail experience from being a department manager at Neiman Marcus to opening up my first brick and mortar boutique in the early 2000s. I sold my boutique shortly after I got married, and we decided to move to the suburbs to start a family! I was a stay-at-home mom of two school-aged boys and found myself needing something more to do with my time while the boys were in school. I am very blessed with a hardworking husband who encouraged me to live out my dream by starting Chicks Picks Boutique out of my home in early 2015.
It grew from there and next thing I knew, I had a website! Today, I am running my website, social media sites, and hosting shows where I am able to meet my amazing customers! I LOVE what I do, and I couldn't have done any of this without trusting myself and trusting God!
Make It Mine By Gretchen
Make It Mine by Gretchen is a custom appliqué and
embroidery shop. I do everything from personalized birthday and holiday shirts to baby gifts, monograms on backpacks, school spirit shirts and custom hooded bath towels. I started making fun t-shirts for our two daughters, our family and friends. I have several albums on my Facebook page with examples. I am always updating the page with new creations!
Rooted Woods Signs
Rooted Wood Signs is a small business that specializes in custom made painted wood signs. It started just a short year ago when my husband encouraged me to get back into painting - but painting on those wooden signs has become my passion! Plus, it allowed him to work on those carpentry skills he was dying to activate. So off we went and we haven't stopped!
We offer a range of sizes and styles - the sign is ALWAYS handcrafted just for you! We also offer DIY classes or parties where you and a group of friends can come to make your own custom sign together. Visit my Facebook page and contact me if you'd love to come take a class or order a sign. I love it when friends or new clients contact me and say "can you do this?" Most of the time, the answer is YES! As a gift or for yourself, you'll always be glad you purchased one. It's my personal mission that everyone is always 100% happy.
Maddie & Mae Designs
My name is Holli Lynn Vongphakdy, formerly Gifford. I am
from Waller, Texas, a small country town about 40 miles NW of Downtown Houston.
I grew up learning how to craft with my great grandmother, Mama Dee, as we spent
many hours and days of my childhood creating things together. My passion for
making things roots back to those days spent with her and all of the things she
taught me along the way. I originally opened my business in 2015 under a
different name, Burlap & Bling, creating handmade wreaths, crosses, and
signs.
I never thought in a million years I’d be able to turn a hobby that I
loved so much into a business, but my beloved grandma Barbie gave me a good
shove in the right direction, and so it began. I reopened my store in 2017
under the new name Maddie & Mae Designs, for two reasons. One - I was adding
new things to the store and the name just didn’t seem to fit anymore. Two - in 2015, I had two life changing events happen - my son Maddox was born
(Maddie), and my beloved Grandmother passed away (Mae).
Prior to having a baby, I was a Certified Paralegal working
a 7-6 job that allowed little to no creativity, which drove me crazy.. My dream
was to be able to have my creative outlet and be able to stay at home with my
son to watch him learn and grow everyday. I have such a passion
for creating things, which is why I love what I do. I get to stay at home with
my sweet boy, while doing something I love so much and still contributing to my
family’s financial future. Saying that I am blessed is truly an understatement - how many people do you know that get to truly live out their dreams? I am
living mine every day, and I couldn’t be more thankful to my wonderful friends,
family, and customers for all of their support in making this big dream of mine
into such a huge reality!
Little Ladybug Shop
Online shop /
Instagram /
Facebook
Hi! I'm Jacqueline Ortiz - an area #TeacherMom with a passion for creating curriculum, sharing teacher inspiration, and decorating it along the way. I began my digital online store “The Little Ladybug Shop, LLC” for teachers to shop for classroom needs making their life a little less stressful! You can find lessons and ideas for upper elementary ranging from ELA, Science, Social Studies and so much more!
Jill Allison Designs
Instagram /
Facebook
Jill Allison Designs offers antique, vintage, reclaimed, repurposed, salvaged finds! Hunting or "junking" for treasures that can be used as is, restored, or repurposed is a slight obsession for me, and I am excited to bring many of my unique finds here to you! I want you to have something in your home that nobody else has! In addition to furniture and home decor, I also offer jewelry and cowhide handbags.
I do not have a brick and mortar store but travel to numerous pop-up markets around the country. I love being on the road and meeting all of the wonderful customers along the way. Hope to see you out on the road!
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Thank you to all these amazing ladies for sharing their passions. If you have any shops you love or want me to feature YOU, send me an email. This post was a favorite to do - these moms are so inspiring. They remind each of us we can do HARD THINGS even behind that #MomLife!