Meet Karen Grant

Business Name: SimplyJune

Your Name: Karen Grant

Your Title: Owner / Designer

Business Location: Natick, MA

Website URL: www.simplyjune.com

Blog URL: simplyjune.blogspot.com

Describe Your Products and/or Services:

Handmade Items for Family, Friends and Home - Simply June is a design studio located in the Boston area. All items are designed and handmade in our studio. We have are always designing new items from handbags to embroidered buttons and crocheted hats.

What prompted you to start your business?

In the summer of 2004, my husband Jason and I decided we would like to adopt a child from Russia. As this dream started to become a reality, I started to think about the women who were at that very moment taking care of our future son. As a way to pass the time and as a way to feel more connected with the adoption process, I began designing and sewing silk handbags for the caretakers in Russia. Eventually, in April of 2006 I was able to hand these bags to the many women who had cared for and loved our son Nikolai during the first 21 months of his life. Somewhere along the line, SimplyJune was born. I now love being a mother and having SimplyJune as a creative outlet!

What skills did you have that helped prepare you?

As I mentioned before, I had a lot of graphic design and marketing skills from my past business. I also minored in photography in college, which helped me to take my own product photos. My mother had also taught me how to sew as a child as well as do other crafts and both of my parents instilled in me a love of reading which has given me the confidence to learn just about anything I need in order to accomplish what I want.

What was the worst job you've ever had?

Without a doubt, that would be the summer I spent cutting wire contact relays in a small warehouse in my home town. I came home every evening drenched in oil and thankful that it was just a summer job!

How has your business evolved since you launched?

My business is just a year old, but I have built up my product line and I think really narrowed in on what the look and feel of SimplyJune will be. I\'m excited to see how it evolves in the future. I have endless design ideas and ways in which to build on my business.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned since opening your company?

There are just not enough hours in the day. It is definitely a challenge to be both a mother and a business owner, but my biggest lesson has been to set goals and stick to them. It is so easy to be distracted by all of the things you could do, make, design, etc. It is better to have a small, well designed and well made line than to make one of everything!

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter is definitely my husband, Jason. He knows I can do anything I put my mind and heart into and he reminds me of that constantly. He is always ready to hear my ideas, give me suggestions, help with a photo shoot, proofread my writing, etc. We are a team.

What do you do to keep yourself inspired?

I really find inspiration all around me. I love to travel, read, look at magazines, read blogs and just create.

What is the hardest part about running your business?

I just think as I said before, there are just not enough hours in the day. I have way more ideas than I could ever implement. I just have to slow the pace and enjoy my creative time.

What's the one thing you wish you'd known before starting your business?

I really can't think of anything specific. I think in general that as I learn things I grow and I like this process. I wish I had known that SimplyJune is where I would find my bliss. I would have started this business a long time ago!

Tell us something unique about yourself!

Hmm...I mentioned this before, but I love to travel. I have traveled to countries including Greece, Russia, France, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. I have been many places in the world and I think this has influenced my design sense, my culinary tastes and my view of the world and my place in it.

What keeps you going?

My love of creating and how that fulfills me really keeps me going. This is how I express myself.