Meet {rockin’ mama} Katie Hughes + her beautiful family.  Her fabulosity goes way beyond running her company, Vintage Rose Wraps. 

{Photo courtesy Phileo Photography}

When her friend Sharla contacted me to let me know about Katie and to recommend her for a {rockin’ mama} feature, I was instantly intrigued.  Her wraps are fun, colorful and so unique.

Don’t you agree?

{model photos © Little Wunders Photography}

When I visited the Vintage Rose Wraps website, what instantly stood out to me was the range of choices!  They are vintage with a bit of funky thrown in.  So lovely!  On a side note, East Valley locals, you can get your Vintage Rose Wrap fix at two local shops, It’s a Girl Thing Boutique and Designer Boulevard. 

{Photo © Phileo Photography}

Scroll down to read all about Katie, her companies (Yep!  She has TWO!) and what’s so special about her toes. 

Please tell us a little about your business and how you developed the concept for it?

I have always had the entrepreneurial bug!  As a child growing up, we had a family cottage industry and I learned to love the idea of using personal resources to create something you are proud of.  When I was newly married, I decided to start a little handwriting business that would grow to be a favorite little business venture of mine.  It combined two loves.  Artichokes and Ink. {www.artichokeink.com} and it still continues to be a fun little avenue to share some creativity and talent with brides, charitable organizations and companies from all over the world.

But because I already had a business in the works, I didn’t set out to make a business of Vintage Rose Wraps.  Actually—I happened upon it.  My sister had given me some headbands—I liked the concept and so did my friends.  We set out to make some of our own.  And from that—really things just sort of rolled from there.  I made a few and gave them as gifts, and it wasn’t too long before others wanted me to make them for themselves.  The rest has just sort of fallen into place.

With headbands all the rage these days, it makes sense to include these as a part one’s wardrobe because they are so easy and effortless—and they don’t hurt like a lot of the headbands out there do.  They’re just enough to make you feel young and hip—without going too far out on the “style” limb.

How did you choose your business name?

Honestly, it just popped into my mind one day—and after thinking about it, I just knew it was perfect.

What makes your business so fab and awesome?

I think one thing that makes these headbands so fun is that they appeal to women, teens, and children.  With all the style pulls out there—I think everyone is looking for something that makes them feel good on the inside and out.  My favorite thing that people tell me is how they feel when they wear them.  And that makes selling them “fab” and “awesome”.

How many sweeties do you have and what are their ages?

I have 4 AWESOME kids:  3 girls and 1 boy, ranging in ages from 10 to 21 months.

How do you make sure that you are a rockin’ mama to your kiddos while still running your own business?

In all honesty, keeping everything together at home while having a business has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.  There is a balance that I strive to attain—and sometimes life is a little out of balance with home and family while I’m focusing on certain parts of the business.  I try and make up for it while giving full focus and quality time with my kids when I am able.  I try and be present in their lives—when they come home from school or during family meal times.  I try and seek opportunities for teaching them things I want them to know—in the car driving carpools or at bedtime.  And we set aside time every week to work together and play together as a family.

But really the unsung hero in all of this is my loving and patient husband who is so supportive and picks up where I am lacking.  He is an incredible man and has a keen ability to sense when I need some extra support.  He’s often told me how much satisfaction he finds in me using my talents—so I think that is why he is so willing to love and support me with our children when I am lacking.

What is your biggest challenge as a work-at-home mama?

TIME.  Finding time that doesn’t take away from the quality time I mentioned.  I try and wake up early, work during naptime, or after the kids go to bed.

Do you have a website/shop/boutique?

YES!  I am very excited about my new website that opened a couple of weeks ago!

www.vintagerosewraps.com

Also, I have a blog that I’ve used since the beginning—which was about this time last year.

www.vintagerosewraps.blogspot.com

If you could jet away on a vacation tomorrow, where would you go and why?

My husband and I really want to go to New England during autumn time.  We’ve talked about it our whole married life, and we can’t wait until we actually do it.

What is something that people probably don’t know about you?

I have “magical” thumbs!  They actually look like toes, but they’re God-given thumbs that have been passed down through my family lines.  Whenever anyone asks how I’m able to do something I just tell them, “It’s in the magic of my thumbs!”

Thanks so much, Katie!  You rock! 

xoxo,

laura