You’re the one, the one for me…” I really think this is a song but I cannot find the lyrics..It was like Lionel Richie or maybe Kool and the Gang. Do you know what I am talking about? Or have I lost it? I may have cuz I am still taking that drivers test. Actually, I am taking a break as I type this.
And here you have 2 of my first Elaina’s and the only ones, well, except we did the celery in an aqua too. I think they were from Homegrown. The brown one above, I actually dyed brown. Yup, upstairs in my laundry room!! Yes, and that would be the reason for all the returns due to color differences. But hey..what is a girl to do. I had no clue. It was in the very beginning of MJC.
And that brings me to an entirely different subject than I was gonna blog about at the beginning. I will answer this simply. I really get quite a few emails on how to start and what to do. In truth I may be the worst person to ask this of. I cannot offer any great advice. I have never written a business plan or even had a great plan in my mind. The only thing I had was great faith in my gut instinct. Does that make any sense? (Told you I am taking a drivers test as I type, I’m a little off my rocker right now). But seriously, I have always just figured it out as I went along. I wish it were as easy as someone handing me a book with answers. But if I had not made all the errors I have made I would not know all the consequences of things I do. Everyday we figure out new things. Everyday we are presented with problems and we search for the solution. In that search is the most valuable information that no one could ever give you. The best way to start is to just figure it out on your own. What works for one will not work for all.
You know when I first started painting furniture I sold to stores. I remember Jacobson’s (you remember that store) came in my booth at the gift show in Chicago and placed a HUGE order for all their stores. She asked if I dropped shipped. Dude, I was so thrilled, I said “Heck ya”. No clue what “drop ship” meant but hey I got a great order. It was Jacobson’s and that was super cool. I figured it out and all was well. Anyways, we sold a lot pretty fast and my neighbor thought I needed help. Me? I tell ya, I’m a a risk taker, go with the gut type of girl. Anyways, I am lucky enough to live in the home town of Vera Bradley. My neighbor worked with Pat Miller’s husband and set me up to talk to them. I am sure they do not remember a bit of it, but I do. One, it was super flattering they would even talk to me and secondly, they just listened to me, told me a little of their story, never comparing but just listening and reassuring me I was on the right track. One would think they could’ve handed me the guidebook to stardom or success or whatever. But they didn’t and I really think they knew I had to figure it out on my own in order to be successful and to appreciate all the steps it takes.
And one more cool thing..and okay, I might sound like I am flattering myself but today when I was sorting shows, which I’m not all that great at… but I am trying to get better, Mackenzie (one of our newest hires) says to me “You know I have never worked with my boss before.” I thought that was pretty cool of a thing to say and be said to. The thing is, is at MJC we all do everything. Their is no hierarchy. We all do emails, we all pack, sort, take out the garbage, stock shelves. David and I. We all do it all and that is why I love my team. We really are all one.
Sorry for the messy post but my test is timed and my timer is up….
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. It always feels good when you can work next to your boss and feel that you are part of the team.
Denise, you amaze me! Really you do. You wear your heart on your sleeve and it shows. I love it all and especially love the picture of the adorable little girl that belongs to Lisa. Thanks for being true to yourself and letting us enjoy sharing your dream.
Just got my FT order today and I love it more that I did when I first laid eyes on it! The colors are fantastic for my girls…now if it could just get out of the 90’s!!! Probably be November before we can wear it….
Joanna, I love you, you’re the one the one for me. Kool and the Gang and now that song will be in my head for days!!
You know Denise, the great thing about your blog/writing is not that it is perfect–but that it makes sense and it comes from the heart. As a writer myself, I appreciate reading others’ work—there are many great poets, and great writers, but one thing that they cannot teach in college (or anywhere else) is how to write from your heart. It comes naturally to you, and that is why we love reading your words.
If there is one thing that I always trust, and that I always try to teach my kids, it’s to trust your gut. When you have a strong intuition it is quite wise to follow it! Your success is another example of how trusting your instincts and following your heart always leads you to great things!!
P.S. My gut tells me that if you were to start selling bags you would be a huge success! I love that bag that is pictured above!!!
It’s “Cherish” by Kool and the Gang!
You’re so awesome for keeping it real!
How I wish I knew Elaina when she was brown!!!
BTW: You’re Still the One by Hall N Oates!
wow, ok, u know i have been around the mjc clock, but i kinda gasp at the brown elaina. i have never seen that pic for some reason.
ANYWAYS. cool post. and yes, more elainas….forever and always
Soon after we discovered Matilda Jane clothes and realized that you were in Ft. Wayne I decided right then and there that the water in Ft. Wayne must have some extra “creative juices” in it. Matilda Jane and Vera Bradley in the same town.
Your business story is quite wonderful and I hope you will be able to maintain some of this unique spirit and (the right words are not coming but you know what I mean)………….as you grow.
It is a joy to read your blog entries.
enjoyed this post…thanks
Good luck on the test Denise!
“Joanna, I love you…You’re the one, the one for me…” Wow, takes me back to my youth 🙂
Wow i wrote a long, very long reply and it vanished so I guess it wasn’t meant to be.
Love to read your stories, you have and will always be a story teller. I hope one of the boys get that from you and carry it on, nothing better than a great story teller.
If you can take the written drivers test they are not near as tricky!
Thanks for the story.. I am now humming I love you in my head!
🙂 LOL
Homegrown has always been my very fave, the Elaina’s were a huge part of that love, so I was SUPER excited to see that Elaina was making a comeback in Field Trip. I thought that the brown one was tween sizing, maybe? You got any of those hiding at 435? hehe Cant wait to see the next release and the new mama pieces!
Denise, I loved your post, you know, on a lot smaller scale I’m sure… my husband and I have a lawn and landscaping company… I homeschool the four girls… so not me as much, but my husband works right along side his guys. He never asks them to do something he hasn’t or wouldn’t do and I think that is why we have had the same guys (only 5) forever….I love your company and all the people behind it:0) Thanks for everything!!! Including our Blog prize!!! So thrilled and thankful!!!
I learn more and more each day that the only real lessons in life are the ones we learn on our own, and there are no handbooks for the best lessons! Raising kids is like that–If you think you could write a handbook for rearing children… Think again…
You are so inspiring Denise, without even trying to be. 🙂
The celery elaina is still my fave… G still has it for this fall =). And that second pic you posted… I stared at it for hours a looooong time ago and ended up not ordering, because I was scared of the entire trunk show thing. By the time I was brave enough, it was sold out… ah, good old times.
Oh how we love Elaina! She reigns supreme in our house 🙂 I love how real you and David are… so wonderful that you are hands on and you dig in with your team… That is the sign of a GREAT leader!
Oh, how I wish I would have ordered and Elaina for my Mackenzie. Too cute!!! 🙂 Great story!
Homegrown was my first taste of MJC. I still hold a special place in my heart for all those goodies! Some of them I bought in every size because I love them so much. They are patiently waiting for their day in the spotlight!
Man oh man—I took that test also to get out of a ticket and it was 2 days of my life I shall never get back. I remember learning a lot but still thinking….”Really? could they make this any more boring and stressful?” Then I thought…” Oh yeah, it’s punishment…if it was fun we’s all be TRYING to get tickets.” Good luck Denise, and may the force be with you!
It’s “Joanna” by Kool and the Gang.
Oh, how I would love to have a brown Elaina. Sadly, this was before my discovering MJ. I didn’t find out about this WONDERFUL stuff until the Hotline collection.
As for the key to success, I agree, there is no handbook for that sort of thing. It is best learned through trial and error for one way does not fit every person. Of course, if you live, breathe and totally love what you do, as you do Denise, I think success comes a lot easier than you might think it would because your passion comes through in your work and people love, respect and appreciate that!
Book or not i think you are an amazing person and i think you have done so many amazing things, and i think you will keep doing amazing things, just keep going with that gut of yours 🙂 And by the way i think it’s one of a kind that you all work together as one and that is so great, you trully are a blessed company 🙂
I loved Homegrown. Can’t wait until my Field Trip order comes, soon I hope!
yeah! that top outfit is one of my favorites :)- and the ceelery goes so cute with the new ziggy leggings!
and speaking of elainas- you sooooo know what I am going to say- so I wont even say it- ha !!! I will eternally bug you till I have one.
Your company is successful because you “do it all” as you say. It is so important for everyone to know the importance of all the jobs in a company. That way nobody thinks someone else’s job is less/more important the other person’s. It promotes a team environment. I only had one awesome boss like you who did everything and he never thought a job was beneath him. He was the best boss I ever worked with. I’m sure you are an awesome boss too! Keep up the good work!!!
Love it!! Love it all espeacially the Elaina and I’m proud to say that my little sweetpea has the aqua version. Unfortunately it is a little small now and has been reduced to play cloths (which usually dose not happen to MJC it gets cleaned, folded and put away nicely to await its second coming) but the sweetpea just loved the Elaina soooo much she couldn’t let it go!!! Anyway so excited to get our new Eliana that we can hardly wait!!!
Denise- Love how you always keep it REAL! I love that everyone does everything at MJC…I especially love when I call and a REAL person answers the phone. Thanks for all you do!
what a fun story! I am so glad the furniture route took you to the clothing route. Hope the test goes well girl!
Great Story!! 🙂 The song is by Kool in the Gang…its Johanna…I love you….your the one…the one for me….(music). Love the 80’s music!!
Elaina, has been one of our favorite pieces.
Great story and advice! You work like a nurse (which is what I do), doing it all! I’m sure your employees appreciate your style of work more than you will ever know! The nurses all like the doctor who is willing to answer the phone and clean up a little after himself/herself the best. You’ve got a great thing going!
love love love the little spats in the last picture!! perfect!
Love the pale purple Elaina and pink velour ruffs.
That was my daughter’s first MJ outfit…ahhh….
Good memories! (wish we still had it!!)