Candid Keepers #400

Introducing:

Casey Schneider of La Crosse, WI

Most Valued Form of Character:

Integrity

Q:  Please tell us a bit about yourself.  Where are you from and where are you now?

A:  My name is Casey Schneider.  I live in La Crosse, WI  with my husband and 3 children.  I have lived in La Crosse for nearly 20 years, but before that my family lived in Florida, Montana and Minnesota. 

Q:  How did you meet and fall in love with your husband?

A:  I was afraid you might ask this.    The meeting part is a bit like a comedy of errors.  I first met him when I was on a date with one of his friends.  Then, some time later, I tried setting him up with one of my college roommates because I thought he was a great guy, I just happened to have a boyfriend.  Finally, his persistence paid off and we began a whirlwind romance.  I guess I knew it was love when we’d just finished hiking and he asked me if I wanted to go get a McDonalds Coke.  I asked him why and he responded, I think it just tastes better.  Little did he know that I had been getting a McDonalds Coke (or two) a day since I was in college.  So, I guess you could say he had me at McDonalds Coke. 

Q:  Tell us about those sweet, sweet babies of yours.

A:  Like many couples, we struggled to have children.  So the day our son Rylan was born, was without a doubt, the happiest day of my life.  He brings us more joy than we ever could have imagined.  He’s 8 years old and loves being outside and playing with his friends.  He’s a little gymnast and I swear he spends more time on his head than on his feet.   Our middle daughter Teagan is the kindest, most giving child.  She would give anyone the shirt off her back.  She is 6 years old and loves pretending she is Taylor Swift or Katy Perry.    Jansen is the baby of the family and she plays the part quite well.  Although she’s 4 you wouldn’t know it by the way we all cater to her sweet, yet sassy personality.  She makes it very clear which “Janes” (this is what she calls her MJ clothes because she can’t pronounce it) she will be wearing and which ones she will not be wearing.  The more mismatched the better for her.  I have learned to keep a tight lip. 

Q:  What did you do in your previous life?  Pre-Matilda Jane?

A:  Before having kids I taught 5th and 6th grade.  Since, I have been at home with my kids for the past 8 years.

Q:  What is your Matilda Jane story?  What made you become a Trunk Keeper?

A:  I had never heard of Matilda Jane before I was invited to a show a couple years ago.  Our area didn’t have any trunk keepers so a trunk keeper from Minnesota came to do the show.  I ordered a few outfits and fell in love with the products.  I loved how classic, age appropriate, and well made the pieces are.  I kept ordering from the trunk keeper in Minnesota.  Eventually, I decided that I would love to sell Matilda Jane and inquired about becoming a trunk keeper.  I guess you could say the rest is history!

Q:  Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall.  What is your favorite and why?

A:  Without a doubt, FALL.  I love the weather and I love the fashion that goes along with it.  I can’t get enough of the fall colors and tall boots.

Q:  Who are some of your heroes?

A:  Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the countless others who have fought to make life better for all of us.

Q:  Describe to us what a night out with your girlfriends looks like?

A:  Unfortunately, I don’t seem to get out with my girlfriends much these days.  On the rare occasion that we do it always involves good food, good gab, and lots of good laughs.

Q:  Tell us about your first job.   How old were you?

A:  My first job was working at my family’s ice cream shop.  It was a great job because all of my friends could come visit and we could eat all the ice cream we wanted before and after our shift.  I was 16 I think.

Q:  What store makes your heart go pitter patter when you shop in it?

A:  I guess it would probably be Hobby Lobby or any crafting store.  I love to scrapbook and craft.  I get so excited by all the possibilities!

Q:  What is your most treasured modern day convenience?

A:  My car being able to drive wherever I want to go.  I can’t imagine not having that freedom.

Q:  Give me 5 adjectives that describe the person you strive to be.

A:  Kind, caring, loving, happy and strong.

Q:  If you could pick up your family and move to any where in the world, where would you go and why?

A:  I guess I’m not really sure where but to a third world country.  I think it would be very good for our children to see that not everybody lives the way we do.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the “rat race” and lose sight of what’s really important in life like faith, family, and the necessary items for survival like food and shelter rather than cell phones and I-Pod touches. 

Q:  Great customer service is definitely a lost art.  How do you try to deliver above and beyond service to your Janes and customers?

A:  I try to imagine what kind of service I would like.  I also try to listen to their needs rather than focus on what I think they should like/buy.  I really do believe that Matilda Jane is selling more than clothing. 

Q:  Favorite film of all time.

A:  That’s a hard one. Probably, Pretty Woman.

Q:  In your opinion, what is THE must have piece in Heart~Soul~Pride?

A:  The Goldenrod leggings.  They go with everything!!

Q:  Lastly, in the spirit of Heart~Soul~Pride, what in your opinion is the most important form of character?

A:  Integrity

*Bonus question*

Tell me the name and location of the TK who would donate a $1 million gift towards a Domestic Violence initiative should she have the chance 

and you will be gifted with something extra special yourself.

GO!!

(I will randomly pick someone)