Life and Work with Jesi Josten

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesi Josten.

Jesi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When my daughter Violet started eating solid food, I couldn’t figure out why all the bibs I found were teeny tiny and didn’t actually cover her clothes. So, I busted out my dusty old sewing machine, tried to remember everything my Grandma Ginny had taught me and made a few of my own! The huge size worked GREAT to cover her up – especially since at the time, she was in a full-body cast due to hip dysplasia (that’s also where I got my business name!). Soon, my friends and family started asking for them, and a friend encouraged me to start an Etsy shop.

Over the next 11 years, I expanded my line to include bibs, onesies and can coolers, have 2 local moms who help me sew, and have my items in a handful of Denver-area shops.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the biggest struggles for any handmade business is pricing your products correctly. It’s HARD – you should probably be charging MUCH more than you think, and you’ll wonder if anyone will ever buy anything again!

After I had been in business for 3 or 4 years, I realized I was working so hard, but barely making any profit. I stumbled on some excellent advice about pricing, had a minor panic attack about the whole thing, then took the dive and upped my prices. I remember sitting at the first craft show with my higher prices and thinking “NO ONE is going to buy ANYTHING!” but, they did! And I put them up again a few years later and my sales actually went UP!

The reality is that a lot of handmade businesses don’t last more than a few years. There is a multitude of reasons, but I think one of the big ones is selling yourself short on pricing.

Besides pricing, one of the biggest struggles as a mom is that pesky work/life balance. It felt almost impossible when my girls were little, but now that they are 12 and 10 I STILL find myself feeling guilty if I have to work when they are home (hello summer break!), but also guilty when I’m out having fun with them that I should be working! Maybe that stops when they are in college?

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hip Violet – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I generally hear two things about my bibs: they are HUGE and they are SOFT! It’s true – they are oversize by design to offer shoulder-to-lap coverage, unlike the tiny bibs you can find at big box stores. Plus, my bibs are all made with soft cotton or cotton/poly blend fronts, with super soft fleece backs. Unlike plastic bibs, kids are happy to have a comfortable bib to wear at mealtimes. Plus, with toddler-proof snaps, they are hard for kids to rip off and toss on the floor. My bibs are all designed by me as a real-life mom solving issues I had when my kids were starting solids, and they’ve stood the test of time!

The most popular line of my bibs and can koozies are made from vintage bed sheets. I am an avid thrifter and kept picking up vintage Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite, and E.T. sheets at the thrift shop. One day, I thought “Wait – I should make these into BIBS!” and the rest is history! These are one of my best sellers and I absolutely LOVE hearing the stories my customers have about their favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or the first time they saw Star Wars or how jealous they were of their cousin’s New Kids on the Block sheets. It makes my day!

One of my most rewarding projects is making Special Needs bibs. I know how hard it can be to find good, absorbent bibs with fabrics more suited to older kids/adults so I offer over 40 different fabrics and can fit any neck size. It’s so great to hear how much these bibs can be life-changers to older kids that still need some coverage but don’t want kid prints!

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I think BECAUSE of the challenges, there are so many more opportunities for women, especially here in Denver! There are amazing networking events, Facebook groups, and local get-togethers for women who are interested in helping other women and learning more about running a business themselves. I feel very grateful to be in a city that is so forward-thinking and has so many ways we can all help each other succeed.

Pricing:

• Baby Bibs – $13.50-$21.99
• Mountain Patch Onesies – $19.99
• Can Coolers – $5.99

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.HipViolet.com
• Email: jesi@hipviolet.com
• Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/HipViolet
• Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/HipViolet

Image Credit:
My photo, Rainbow Brite & Mountain Onesie pics: Jennifer Olson Photography
Grateful Dead & Star Wars Bibs: David Lynn Photography

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