Apr 17, 2012 by BabySwags
BS: Baby Swags has been working with Juliet Hartley owner and creator of the popular hair accessory company, Bow Allure for quite some time. Their fabulous creations have been spotted on the heads of many A-List celebrity children and the list continues to grow. Juliet Hartley is an amazing business owner and she is here with us to tell us a little about her business and how she got started.
JH: Bow Allure is a Florida-based business that provides customers and retailers with a fun collection of unique and stylish hair accessories for infants, toddlers, children and teens. Known for their durable yet fashionable craftsmanship, Bow Allure products are carefully handmade in the US with high quality materials. Exceptional care and construction is dedicated to each unique accessory, offering retailers the finest in affordable hair accessories.
The first thought for Bow Allure came in 2010 as my oldest daughter, Sophia (at that time 3 y/o), was transitioning from toddler into preschool outfits. Like many Moms, the standard mass produced, super store hair accessories were the easiest option, but the styles and quality of the products didn’t meet my expectations. I took a leap of faith and decided to make my own accessories for my girls. I began researching every in-trend magazine I could find, differences in material qualities, and assembly options. At first my intention was to simply develop unique accessories for my girls, but after receiving so many complements from people when we would take them shopping or to the park, I thought “hey, I might be on to something here.” The rest, as they say, is history!
BS: Your business has grown so well. Tell us how did you take it from a start-up to where you are today?
JH: In one word, persistence. Mistakes are ok (and should be expected), as long as you learn from them. As with all start-up, small businesses, there are growing pains, but the passion and love for what we do is the driving force that has continued to propel us forward!
BS: What is a typical day like in the life of Juliet?
JH: My first job and priority is my family. As the Mother of two young girls (5 and 2 y/o), I have had to find a balance between my responsibility and time to care for my children (and my husband ?), as well as my customers. Often times this means very early starts to my day (before the kids are awake) and late evenings when they are in bed, just to keep up. Of course, a little cuban coffee to keep the mind functioning during these long work days never hurts!
BS: How have you managed to balance the role of mommy and business owner?
JH: For me it is simple, setting priorities and expectations. Thankfully, both of my girls are now entering the ages when establishing a somewhat regular schedule is becoming possible. I quickly discovered that unless I create my own opportunities to focus on my business, there isn’t enough time in the day. Getting my day (and Bow Allure‘s) started before the sun rises and long after it sets, has been essential. For some reason, two year olds just don’t understand if you have an important deadline or project that needs to be finished ?
BS: What is your biggest support system and how has it helped you achieve your goals?
JH: First and foremost, my husband. He has been my rock from the beginning, lending encouraging words when times were tough and supporting all of my ideas and stretch goals along the way. I absolutely could not have done this without Michael.
BS: What would you say has been your biggest hurdle?
JH: Rejection. It was very difficult to accept because in the beginning (and even now on occasion, it’s hard not to take it personal. But this is a reality that all businesses will experience. Learning to deal with this and to grow from it has been my own, personal biggest hurdle. Even so, not sure that it ever gets easier.
BS: What advice would you give to other moms who wish to start their own business?
JH: Find what you love and how you can make a niche in the competitive marketplace. Ask yourself, what can I do to separate yourself from other businesses? What do your (potential) customers need and want, and how can your product(s) meet these needs? Develop and solid business plan and don’t be afraid to fail. As Thomas Edison famously once said about inventing the light bulb, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.”
BS: Do you have anything else you would like to add?
JH: You have to have passion, discipline and patience to make your business successful. But most importantly, have fun with it!
BS: I want to thank you very much for being such a wonderful addition to the Baby Swags family. Without companies and people such as yourself, Baby Swags just wouldn’t be the same. If you want to find out more about Bow Allure or Juliet, please visit www.bowallure.com and tell her Baby Swags sent you! 
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