Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline AuBuchon.
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hey, I’m Jacqueline! I am a wife and mama of two sweet boys (99% of the time). I grew up in Chicago (suburbs), went to college at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, got my BA in Speech Communications, and started life in the retail management world with Abercrombie & Fitch.
It wasn’t until God played a joke on me and I was diagnosed with a chronic neuropathy illness, CIDP, that essentially ended my career. So at home, I stay, and I rest and nap everyday. I get worn out easily. I get sore a lot. Most of the time, it feels like I’m walking thru deep, deep water with weights on. My husband is a rock star. He is there for me and we have been through more than most married couples go through in a lifetime.
We lived in St. Louis, MO for six years, and then when our 1st was born, and my mom was travelling back and forth from Chicago to help us out, we decided that as a family, we needed to move to the same location. So Nashville was our new home. And we LOVE it! We bought our first home in 2016, and we have cows in our backyard! Talk about a change of scenery from Chicago! We also have a pond full of fish, two dogs and two cats.
A couple years ago, I started an Etsy shop, The Lapis Boutique, where I went to YouTube University and taught myself Photoshop and learned more than I ever thought I would. I love learning, and I love being creative. I design t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, pillows, etc. and so far, I have over 900 sales! I definitely keep myself busy and help contribute to the family. I thought of the name “Lapis” because my bridesmaids’ wedding dress color from David’s Bridal was called lapis, which is a rich, dark purple. It’s so pretty and romantic and has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember.
Something I have always wanted to do was start a blog, One Top Knot Mama. My Etsy shop is great; I love working on it every day. But I wanted to also have a place to share my thoughts and grow a bigger network of moms and female business owners. I have so many favorite influencers on social media, and a voice inside my head kept saying, “You can do this, too!” And with the support and encouragement from my husband, I started this new journey.
Why One Top Knot Mama? Well, if you know me, you know that 99.9% of the time, my hair is in a messy top knot bun. It’s kind of my signature look, I guess, LOL. I just don’t have energy or patience to do my hair everyday, ya know? And it goes with everything. 🙂
So that’s me in a nutshell. In my free time, I love catching up on Grey’s, Million Little Things, Bachelor. I love playing with our kids, reading, painting, a good game of Sudoku and Candy Crush. I also enjoy cooking and baking! When I do get to have a date with my husband, we love going to Broadway and barhopping, day or night! I can’t wait to explore all the new places downtown.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. With my health issues, my career with Abercrombie & Fitch was dead. There was no way I could keep going physically. I had to start from scratch. I love learning; I love being creative. I had to find a way to help provide for my family. And the only way I could think of to work on my own schedule was to start my own business. Some days, I don’t even open the computer. If I am too tired or sore, I can’t focus and concentrate like I know I need to. But I give myself lots of grace and know that it’s ok. I am just so used to hustling and working hard. I was raised by a single mom who worked full time and still found time for her kids. I want to be a strong mother figure for my boys too. So that is something I struggle with as well, knowing when to stop and rest and not overdo it. That’s just a constant battle with myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design and create t-shirts, coffee mugs, pillows, and more for the everyday family. The majority of my designs are targeted to moms but I also have shirts for babies, kids, and some for Dads too! I keep it all lighthearted, family-friendly, with a touch of humor. I love seeing people’s shirts when I’m out and about and constantly get inspiration. Etsy is a super-platform for designers and creators, and I hope my designs set me apart from other shops in my niche.
One thing I am proud of is I built The Lapis Boutique from the ground up. Behind the screen, it is just me, myself and I. Customer service is something I value and I am proud that I have a running of great reviews and repeat customers. Since working in retail since I was old enough to have a job, I understand the importance of the customer’s relationship. I love meeting people and helping someone’s vision come to life. I have stayed true to myself and my values, and for that, I am grateful for the success I have had and hope to continue to have.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Staying true to myself and my values is the most important thing. It’s my piece of advice for anyone starting out. Your creative vision may change, which is totally fine. But don’t sell out. It will mean so much more and be much more gratifying if you stay true to who you are.
Pricing:
- Tshirts – $25 avg
- Sweatshirts – $40+
- Kids shirts – $18-$20
- Tote bags – $20+
- Pillows – $30+
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: thelapisboutique.com, etsy.com/shop/thelapisboutique
- Instagram: instagram.com/thelapisboutique, instagram.com/onetopknotmama
- Facebook: facebook.com/thelapisboutique, facebook.com/onetopknotmama
- Other: https://onetopknotmama.com, pinterest.com/thelapisboutique, pinterest.com/onetopknotmama
Image Credits
@winenotmama, @_lizbailey
