Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Julio.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I’ve always been interested in arts and crafts since I was young. I remember taking an interest in drawing in middle school and joining an after-school activity where I worked on making my own doll. In high school, I started using a sewing machine and during my free time, I worked on easy projects like making aprons, hats, and more. It was only when I started working at a preschool as an infant teacher where became I inspired by the children I worked with. I started making a stuffed giraffe toy and a panda plushie for fun and as a hobby, but friends and family always encouraged me to try opening an Etsy shop. I thought about it for some time and the idea was always in the back of my mind. It would be a fun experience and I would be able to combine my interests with arts and crafts and create something unique or one-of-a-kind. In 2018, Little Lazy Friends became official, and I took the leap in opening my online Etsy shop and sharing my handmade creations with others! It excites me knowing that something I’ve created is somewhere out in the world and is bringing joy.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being a small business, there are some challenges that should be expected, especially since I play multiple roles. Since I started the business as a hobby, I was running the shop part-time while I worked a full-time job and finding a balance between the two. I make sure to try and squeeze in some time on days after my full-time job and dedicate some time on the weekends to work on my business. Planning ahead and making a schedule has helped out a lot.
This is my first time owning a small business and learning how to run a one is a continuous process. I’m learning new things every day and it helps connecting with other creative business owners that are also starting out or those that are more experienced.
Another challenge is running into creative blocks, and I think it’s common for any creative business. I think taking a break is healthy. It gives you a fresh start for new ideas and inspiration.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Little Lazy Friends offers handmade plushies, toys, and more. The name itself comes from the lazy or sleepy characters. My professional background is in early childhood, and I take that into consideration when I design my products.
Gerald the Giraffe is the first character I’ve created and is what I’m most known for. The ribbon tags are a part of the giraffe’s mane and it’s great for babies or young children for sensory exploration. I love soft, pastel colors and that is something you can see throughout my work.
The other Little Lazy Friends are Phoebe the Panda, Bo the Bear, Moo Shu the Mushroom, Harley the Hedgehog, Cosmo the Cat, Lila the Lemon, and MuMu the Ghost. I enjoy thinking of fun names for the characters. Fun fact, most of the names are inspired by 90s cartoons and movies which I grew up watching! For MuMu the Ghost, the word mumu/mumo/momo comes from the Tagalog/Filipino word for multo, which means ghost and is a term used to tell younger children.
I’ve recently started branching out into making cute and fluffy oversized hair scrunchies with animal ears. They’ve been fun to make make a cute accessory. Tree garlands are something I’ve added into my products. They look great for decorating a nursery or decorating for the holidays.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is it’s ok to make mistakes and it’s ok to progress at a different pace than others. I think this comes with the territory of owning a small business and being a first timer. There are some things I can and cannot control, but I welcome the challenges and take it as a learning opportunity. It helps me to know what I can do differently the next time I encounter problems and take it day by day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://littlelazyfriends.etsy.com/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/littlelazyfriends
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlelazyfriends/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@littlelazyfriends
- Other: http://www.littlelazyfriends.com/
