January's Featured Customer - Lucie Monroe of Lucie's Treasures

We are super excited about all of the new things we are bringing you in 2014. One of those changes is all about you, our customers. On the second Tuesday of each month we will be featuring a work-at-home small business. Today we would like to introduce you to Lucie Monroe.

*Click on the photo's to enlarge*

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business Lucie.

I am the owner of Lucie's Treasures. I have been married for almost 8 years and have 2 beautiful children - Lexie (almost 4) and Cassian (1.5 years old). I was born in the Czech Republic and after graduating high school there I decided to spend a year in the USA as an au-pair. During that time I started dating my neighbor who soon became my husband. After he joined the Air Force I moved with him to Mississippi for a few months and later on to Oklahoma where we stayed for 3 years. 

*Photo courtesy of HM Photography.

Where are you located? 
I am an Air Force wife and we've been stationed in Spangdahlem AB, Germany since August 2010. We have recently gotten an approval to extend our stay until August 2018. We are very excited to be able to enjoy this beautiful country for another 4 years. 

 *Photo of Spangdahlem AB, Germany.

What was your background prior to starting your business? 
I used to work in a Child development center before my daughter was born - my favorite part about it was obviously all the arts and crafts I got to do with the kids :)

What got you started in your business?
Both my mother and my grandmother are seamstresses and I always used to sew with my mom, but I never considered it as a career option for myself. While working in the day care center I used to make my own scrub tops and before my daughter was born I started making some baby items for her. After about a year, many requests later I decided to buy a bigger stack of fabric, make a bunch of dresses and participate in the first Craft Fair hosted at the local AF base. That's when Lucie's Treasures was born.

 

What choices have you made that helped your business the most?
Working with the best quality materials is a key to my business. I am a perfectionist and everything needs to be done just right. And since I do most of my business online, great photographs are very important as well. By no means I am a professional photographer but I would like to think that if you see one of my items online, you will know I made it.

 

What mistakes have you made that others could learn from?
I am not sure if anybody can learn from this, but taking part in huge fairs/bazaars just isn't for me. I've done it twice, and though I had fun decorating my booth, the experience just wasn't worth the stress. I prefer working with my customers on one on one basis or participating in smaller fairs, where I don't feel like I need hundreds of items in stock. 

  
What do you find the most fun and rewarding about having your own business?
I love it when my customers give me the freedom to create. Say you need a tooth-fairy pillow - tell me your favorite colors and I will make it happen! I love choosing and combining fabrics and creating a special design just for that one item. I know this requires a lot of trust from my customers and I am really blessed to have been able to get to this point in my business. 

  
Tell us a bit about your drive and purpose, your vision for your business.
I love to make people smile and get them excited they got something special for their child or them selves. I don't want them to buy my product because it's cheaper than someones else's. I want them to buy it because they love it. My vision is for my business to become a brand. A brand that represents great quality and something unique made with love. 

  
What inspires you to create?
I love browsing Pinterest and blogs for new ideas, but lot of times my customers come up with some pretty good stuff as well :)

What do you feel makes your work unique?

I believe it is my attention to detail and the shopping experience itself. When you shop Lucie's Treasures you receive an item that is great quality. I take pride in my business and my items and packaging reflect it.

What’s your favorite piece from your current inventory? Any all time favorite(s)? 

My favorite item right now are my owls. We created the design with my husband so that makes them even more special to me and I just love their colors. They're perfect as a toy, room decoration or a little pillow.

And my all time favorite are my Christmas Stockings. They are superior quality and an heirloom that can be treasured forever - you will never need to buy another stocking again and you will look forward to pulling these out season after season just like I do.

*Photo courtesy of HM Photography.

Where do you see your business in a year? Or where would you like to see it?
I would like to start selling my items in a local children's store - that's in the process right now, so hopefully everything works out successfully.

 

What words of wisdom do you have for readers who are considering starting their own work at home business?

Do what you love and it will show. If you don't enjoy making it, quit that product and start fresh with something that's more fun for you to make. And don't be afraid to say no. 

  
As a customer of Whimsical Fabric, what is your favorite thing about our store? 

The customer service is just great. You don't see interaction with customers like this every day. I really enjoy the sew-alongs as well, I think it's a great way for the shop to connect with customers and a nice push for me to make something for my own kids :)

  These gorgeous shorts were created by Lucie during our Class Picnic Sew-Along.

What is your favorite item purchased from us?

I am going to have to say the Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver+S. I loved taking part in the sew-along, learned a new trick or two and I've actually made two more bottoms since then and bought fabric for 2 more. Now my husband says we need some pajamas as well :)

If you enjoyed reading about Lucie and her business, please take a minute or two and let her know by leaving a message on her Facebook page.  While you're there you might just want to "Like" her page to see what all she has in store for 2014.  And don't forget to check out her Etsy shop, Lucie's Treasures.  Her shop is full of lots of awesome goodies for the little ones in your life!  

PS If you are interested in being featured in one of our future newsletters please send us an email with FEATURE in the title.

Happy creating!
Danielle Storm
www.whimsicalfabric.com