JND Boss Babe: Karrie Miller Artistry

9.29.2016



Boss Babe /bôs/ /bāb/ (noun): Strong, smart, beautiful, inspiring, capable, kick ass woman blogger, creative and or small business owner who is rocking the blog + business world with her amazing entrepreneurial skills.

I am so thrilled to get back to my roots and get back to featuring the amazing women who inspire me to not only be a better business owner, but to be a better person! This week in the #JNDBossBabes series I'm so excited to introduce you to my dear friend Karrie Miller! She has been working with me in Studio 200 for painting + wine workshops! She is so incredibly talented and sweet - you guys will feel the same way!



Tell us about the awesome things you do.

The Creator has given me the gift of creativity. I love doing or making anything at all! My particular gifting would be painting, drawing, graphic design and handlettering. I create commissioned and original art. I take custom orders for acrylic paintings and also do my own original abstract paintings. Currently I am also teaching a Paint Night at Studio 200 in Sugarcreek, OH and I'm loving it! I have hand lettered wedding invitations and signage (chalkboards galore!), storefront signage, wall murals, and more. In the graphic design field, my favorite projects are logos. I have also designed business cards, art posters, flyers, tri-folds, etc.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned as a business owner?

Don't be afraid to charge what your product/service is worth. When I first started out, I was selling my services for much too cheap because I was afraid that people would be scared away by the price. I made just enough to cover costs, but came no where close to covering the time I had spent. If I would have charged more, I might be a bit ahead of where I am today.




Where did your shop or blog name come from?

It's been said, "An artist isn't famous until he/she dies" so, if that's true in my case, I want my work to be remembered by my name so in the future, my pieces will be consistently named.

Who is your Boss Babe inspiration and why?

I would say my mom. Growing up, my mom started making all natural soaps. She loved what she did and her business grew substantially. People from all over the country would order her soaps. I always loved watching her at craft shows or events that she would set up at. She always had a crowd around her stand. She was so passionate about her product.



Top 3 tips for keeping organized and on track.

I'm really not so good at staying organized, but something I've really learned through this business is to take the time to plan out an organize your schedule so that you can optimize your free time.

What has been your biggest challenge building your business?

The self-doubt and terror of putting myself out there and risking my dreams. It's very scary.

Do you have any advice for future Boss Babes?

Be passionate about what you do. When you are passionate about something, it will seep out of you into those around you!



What are your top three tips for building a business?

1. Stop procrastinating. It's your worst enemy.
2. Get out there! Support your community, show up to local events and make a name for yourself.
3. Get to know people who have the same interests as you! They help to inspire you and give you valuable advice.

What is your proudest moment in your business?

Most every time I am finished with a Paint Party, I hear the people in my class talking about how they had so much fun painting and how proud they are of how well their painting turned out. That is one of the most satisfied feelings ever!

Tell us about what's new or what's next!

I am in the process of adding a line of products that is very exciting! I can't reveal those quite yet, as I am still in the process of refining them. But stay tuned for funzies!



What is your all time favorite meal?

Sushi all the way!

What is your favorite way to relax & refocus?

When my enduring husband tells me to "go paint something", I know that I am stressed out a little too much. Painting is like yoga for my mind. I am happiest covered in paint. Another way I like to unwind when maybe I don't have the time or am too tired to paint, is to take an essential oil milk bath with my favorite wine and a good book. Ahh, makes me want one right now!

What do you never leave home without?

My lipstick and shades.

What is your favorite form of social media?

Instagram!

What Instagram account are you currently obsessed with?

@newdarlings



What is on your workday playlist?

"Gun" by Mas Ysa

What is your go-to Starbucks Drink?

Soy chai latte!

What does your "power look" consist of?

Winged eyeliner, Katy Perry "Catoure Tricot-Griffes" Lipstick by Cover Girl, my Jenny clogs from Target, Blue corduroy flare overalls from Old Navy with a white t-shirt underneath, brass hoop earrings that I bought at Bonnaroo, a whole stack of Alex + Ani, JessicaNDesigns, and random other bracelets, my floral choker from Forever21, and my gold cuff ring from JessicaNDesigns.



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Thank you so much Karrie for sharing some Boss Babe insight with us! Be sure to
keep up with Karrie on Facebook and Instagram!

JND Boss Babe: Skye McLain

8.26.2016


Boss Babe /bôs/ /bāb/ (noun): Strong, smart, beautiful, inspiring, capable, kick ass woman blogger, creative and or small business owner who is rocking the blog + business world with her amazing entrepreneurial skills.

I am so thrilled to get back to my roots and get back to featuring the amazing women who inspire me to not only be a better business owner, but to be a better person! I am super proud to start this #JNDBossBabes series off with my very own virtual assistant and right hand woman: Skye McLain! I can't say enough good about Skye, she is amazing, the cream to my coffee & I COULD NOT run my business without her! I am so grateful for an amazing Boss Babe like her on my team!


Tell us about the awesome things you do! 

By day, I am a virtual ninja, helping other boss ladies like Jessica run their business. I work with handmade artists, bloggers, and creative entrepreneurs who need help finding that elusive sweet spot between running their business successfully and keeping a balanced, healthy personal life. I do it all from graphic design to customer service to client management. I love to keep as many plates spinning as I can!

By night, I am the Director of Creative Content for Thrive Creative Conference. I help the CEO, Bree, create content that supports men and women who own small businesses. Together, we are a passionate team that loves to tell people to go for it and then equip them with the tools and support they need to make it happen! 


What do you never leave home without?

I always, always have my bright orange Nalgene water bottle with me along with a collection of essential oils (Stress Away is currently my favorite) and lip balm! 

What is your favorite Starbucks drink?

I'm a slave to trends so lately I've been consuming an inappropriate amount of The Pink Drink, which is a Strawberry Acai Refresher made with a splash of coconut milk. It literally tastes like melted strawberry ice cream and on a hot, muggy day, is SO satisfying! 


What is your favorite form of social media?

I am loving Snapchat! I'll probably jump on the InstaStory bandwagon soon, but I love playing with the filters and the actual chat feature that is built in to Snapchat. 

What Instagram account are you currently obsessed with? 

Do I have to decide on one? If you need a good laugh, head over to @thedailytay or @bevcooks - especially their InstaStory feeds because holy moly they are hilarious!!  For fashion inspiration, I love @uptownwithellebrown and @hauteandhumid. Their ability took look put together effortlessly every day inspires me!

What are your top three tips for keeping your business organized? 

My number ONE tip for sure is to find something that works for you that you will use every single day. I could tell you to buy a specific planner and that it will change your life but if you don't like it, you won't use it, and it will be useless and a waste of your money! Staying organized is so different for everyone so hone in on something that works for you!

I have a routine for every day - I get up at the same time each day, my morning routine is almost always exactly the same, and there are a few tasks that I do first thing every single day. I can do them all almost without even thinking about it. Find a groove and implement a repetitive routine every day so that it (whatever it is - being a mom, answering emails, crafting content, or making awesome stuff) comes naturally to you. You don't even have to think about it anymore!

If all else fails - hire someone to organize it and keep it organized for you. (wink, wink!)

What's currently on repeat for you? 

I'm a gigantic nerd. I am either listening to podcasts or audio books and the two on the top of the playlist lately are Dave Ramsey's Radio Show (because we are currently getting out of debt and need to stay inspired) and the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon (read by Davina Porter). I do most of my work with my body physically sitting at my desk but my mind is far away in Scotland or pre-revolutionary war America.

What is your all time favorite food? 

I love macaroni and cheese, tacos, refried beans, Coca-Cola, salt and vinegar potato chips. All, unfortunately, things I can only have every once in a while or I would need a wheelbarrow to get out the door!

I do also love sparkling water (Coconut La Croix is my jammmm), bananas with peanut butter, and strawberries. But if I'm dying and get a last meal option, I'll take all the junk food.


What does your "power look" consist of? 

I've recently incorporated a uniform so I have less to think of in the mornings so this is a good question! Almost every day, I wear dark skinny jeans, a white t-shirt or a graphic tee, and booties or my Teva sandals. I don't necessarily think this is a "power look" but I feel put together enough to meet a colleague for coffee and I am comfy! Win-win! 

What is your favorite way to relax and refocus? 

If I could find someone to pay me to ride in a boat for the rest of my life, I would do it. I love to be on a lake, with a beer, and riding in the front of a boat with the music blaring. It is literally the most relaxing thing for me. Ever. 

Who is your BossBabe inspiration and why? 

Again - just one?  It changes on a regular basis for sure - but lately I've been so inspired by my Thrive partner, Bree! She just inspires me to follow dreams bigger than I think I can and reminds me that we can do the things - it just take a lot of hard work and late nights sometimes to pull something off!

What is the biggest lesson you've learned as a business owner? 

My biggest lesson I've learned is how to separate my business time from my personal and family time. It is hard to turn it off at the end of the day when your office is literally an extension of your kid's playroom. I've taught/trained myself to make that mental switch from work day to evening at home and it has almost made all the difference. I don't check emails, I don't talk with clients (at least not about work related stuff) and I do my very best to stay off of social media after 6PM every day. Is it hard? Hell yes. But my family and my personal time are more than worth it. If I cant maintain that balance then the point of being able to work from home is blown! 


What is your proudest moment in your business? 

This actually happened last weekend! I've been speaking at conferences for a few years now but I've honestly never had that moment where I felt people were really looking at me as a guide for what they came to hear. Last weekend we held our first Thrive Creative Workshop which was all about Strategic Planning for your business.

I've spoken on "fluffy stuff" in the past (even though I didn't realize until Saturday that it was fluff) but at this workshop, the attendees were in tears as they tackled and worked through some of the things that were really holding them back from growing their business. In the middle of the day, something fell into place and clicked and so many new things came in to focus for me. For the first time, I felt so confident in what I was sharing and that I owned the room. I've always admire women who seemed to feel that way when speaking or sharing and last weekend, I got a glimpse of that!

What is new? What is next? 

My to do list is never ending and ever-changing. My husband has labeled me as a serial entrepreneur - and given that I did start seven different business ventures during our first seven years of marriage, I guess he is right. There is always something on the horizon for me - even if I can't see it!

I can tell you that I'll be working more with Bree on Thrive workshops and conferences, building out a coaching portion to my VA services, and as always, be on the lookout for new tees in my shirt store, Your Texas is Showing. (<-- that is my side hustle!)

Where can we hang out with you online? 
Instagram | Snapchat | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Where my boss babes at?! If you are one, click here to tell us more about yourself and your amazing empire! If you know some boss babes you would love for us to interview, feel free to share this post with them! We can't wait to meet and feature you amazing #JNDBossBabes!

Many thanks to Stephanie of Atascocita Photography for the beautiful images at Chateau Polonez at the Bloggers Meet Photographers meetup organized by The Pink Envelope!
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#JNDBossBabes Features

8.25.2016

WHERE MY BOSS BABES AT??




When I first started blogging my primary focus was featuring boss babes, bloggers, creatives and small business owners who inspired me and were rocking the blog + business world. So today I'm getting back to my roots & looking for some AMAZING #JNDBosBabes to feature on the blog!

BOSS BABES CALL:


So...where my boss babes at?! If you are one, click here to tell us more about yourself and your amazing empire! If you know some boss babes you would love for us to interview, feel free to share this post with them! We can't wait to meet and feature you!

What's Your Morning Routine? Day 6 with Lara Casey.

9.24.2013

Natalie & I put together a fun project for The Influence Conference THIS THURSDAY! We asked 6 bloggers who will be attending the conference to share their morning routines with us. We equipped them with our Latte Mug + Spoon sets to kick start their mornings!

I have shared a blogger a day leading up to the conference and now I am leaving TOMORROW!!  I can't wait to be off to meet new people, get inspired, worship & have a great time in Indiana!

To wrap up the series, we asked Lara of Lara Casey: What's your morning routine?


"The Lord makes all things new each morning. What a gift!  I love how mornings feel like a clean slate.  I love having my oatmeal and singing hymns with Gracie, setting our hearts on what matters most.  Now she asks to eat my oatmeal too : ) "

Be sure to visit Lara and say hello & follow her on Instagram - Inspiring things happening there! 


Be sure to check out each blogger's routine:

Day 1: Erin of The Blue Eyed Bride.
Day 2: Rachel of Kincaid Parade.
Day 3: Natalie of Busy Budgeting Mama.
Day 4: Kim of Oh Sweet Joy.
Day 5: Jessi of Naptime Diaries.

I am SO excited about Influence!! Are you going?

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What's Your Morning Routine? Day 5 Jessi of Naptime Diaries.

9.23.2013

Natalie & I put together a fun project for The Influence Conference THIS WEEK! We asked 6 bloggers who will be attending the conference to share their morning routines with us. We equipped them with our Latte Mug + Spoon sets to kick start their mornings!

I will share a blogger a day leading up to the conference! Then I will be off to meet new people, get inspired, worship & have a great time in Indiana!

We asked Jessi of Nap Time Diaries: What's your morning routine?

jessi using her Latte Mug + Spoon Set

I'm a hope junkie and for me, mornings are all about hope.
I'll tell you the truth, by the time I fall asleep at night - I'm not in my best shape. I struggle with second guessing all that I did or said that day and I usually feel a little overwhelmed by the next day's task. The Lord is super near to me at nights and meets me in my weakness, and for that I'm grateful. But mornings are sweet with Him in a whole new way.

The grace of the day feels fresh and my optimism is usually restored. If I'm going to have a creative idea, it's most likely in the mornings. If I'm going to exercise, it's most likely in the morning. Any writing, real abiding, or peaceful reading time - morning, morning, morning. Man, I love mornings. Here's what mine are looking like in this new season.


5amish: Cannon wakes up, hopefully for the first time, and I cuddle him and feed him. Truly one of my favorite times of the day UNLESS he's been up at 1am and 3am:)
5:30: head downstairs to fill up my water, take my vitamins, have a cup of coffee or tea and half a Lara Bar. Check email and respond to anything that needs immediate attention.
6am: go for a run with my friend Kayla or work out. Lately, I'm loving the Holy Yoga audio downloads at The LIttle Way shop.
7am: wake kids up (seriously so fun after being woken up for years) and handle breakfast, herd my sweet little cats around the house - prodding them to get dressed, brush teeth, do hair.
7:40: wake up Cannon, change his diaper and take him to the car for Nick to take all kids to school. Walk back in and chuckle at the morning mess.
8-9am: play with Cannon, make to-do list, start laundry, have a quick morning meeting with Hayley, and pray with Nick for our day, our business, etc.
9am: Cannon goes down for morning nap and I finally eat breakfast. Sit at my crazy cluttered desk and soak up the hope.

The more days go by, the more I sense the Lord loving when I hope in Him.
He wants all my desires and prayers and longings heaped on His lap.
And I think He loves the mornings.

Be sure to visit Jessi and say hello & follow her on Instagram - Inspiring things happening there! 


Check out more Blogger's morning routines:

Day 1: Erin of The Blue Eyed Bride.
Day 2: Rachel of Kincaid Parade.
Day 3: Natalie of Busy Budgeting Mama.
Day 4: Kim of Oh Sweet Joy.

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What's Your Morning Routine? Day 4 with Kim of Oh Sweet Joy.

9.20.2013

Natalie & I put together a fun project for The Influence Conference NEXT WEEK! We asked 6 bloggers who will be attending the conference to share their morning routines with us. We equipped them with our Latte Mug + Spoon sets to kick start their mornings!

I will share a blogger a day leading up to the conference! Then I will be off to meet new people, get inspired, worship & have a great time in Indiana!

We asked Kim of Oh Sweet Joy: What's your morning routine?


I've never been a morning person, but motherhood is slowly turning me into one. I still love to sleep in, but the early wake up call from baby Knox has made me crave a morning routine. I secretly love opening the blinds in the morning and looking out on the sunrise. Finding beauty in the new mercies that I'm granted, in the new day that I get to live, in the landscape and sunrise that surrounds me...it's a beautiful thing.

I nurse Knox around 7-8 am, depending on what time he wakes up, while reading my She Reads Truth plan. As much as I'd love to wake up earlier and journal before He wakes up and actually read from the Bible, rather than a Bible app - it's just where I'm at right now and I'll take that daily bread however I can get it.


I love to get dressed right after Knox gets his breakfast, but that rarely happens. When it does, I feel I can accomplish so much more. I put Knox down to play while I make coffee and usually throw some clothes on while it's brewing. I try to do something with my bed-head. 

If Knox eats before 8, he usually is ready to go back down for a morning nap so I can watch Kelly & Michael and sip my coffee. I love that part of my morning..it gets super quiet and still and then I turn on the tv with the volume super low. I answer some emails and do some random blog work during the commercial breaks...also planning my day in to-do list form.


Basically, my mornings are spent trying to figure out how to be a mom, how to be a disciple of Jesus, how to run a business + a household, and how to drink my cup of coffee without having to reheat it three times.

Before I know it, it's 11 am and Knox is ready to eat again and then..bam. It's lunch time and the afternoon is ready to be taken on.

Be sure to visit Kim and say hello & follow her on Instagram - Inspiring things happening there! 


Check out more morning routines:

Day 1: Erin of The Blue Eyed Bride.
Day 2: Rachel of Kincaid Parade.
Day 3: Natalie of Busy Budgeting Mama.

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What's Your Morning Routine? Day 3 with Natalie of BBM.

9.19.2013

Natalie & I put together a fun project for The Influence Conference NEXT WEEK! We asked 6 bloggers who will be attending the conference to share their morning routines with us. We equipped them with our Latte Mug + Spoon sets to kick start their mornings!

I will share a blogger a day leading up to the conference! Then I will be off to meet new people, get inspired, worship & have a great time in Indiana!

We asked Natalie of the Busy Budgeting Mama: What's your morning routine?


I am a night owl.
I get this from my mama.
She is the same way.. we have always been little busy bees at night, working on stuff...
We laugh about how my dad, when we are all together visiting,
STILL goes through the house turning off the lights around us at 9:00pm.
That's like.. hoursss before you really need to go to bed ;) ;)
Since having kids..I found myself NEEDING to stay up at night so I could actually get things done. Some days, that's the only way things happen!


I don't mind waking up and getting rolling in the morning...
If wake up can come after 7 or 8.
But my little wee ones are MORNING PEOPLE...
and as soon as the sun shines they are ready to take on the day.
Even black out shades don't keep these stinkers sleeping.
They have FINALLY been waking up at 7:00/7:30...
instead of the typical 6:00/6:30.


Growing up I was not a coffee drinker.
But since having a third child....I remember telling Nen OK...
I am going to force myself to like it. haha.
Luckily for me...my husband introduced me to the amazing
combo of chocolate and coffee...cafe mocha....I love you.
(the coffee and the husband)

I need a few things to force help me be a morning person.
Jesus.
A Pretty breakfast area.
Cafe Mocha in a pretty mug.
and of course Morning smoochies from the kids.
(preferably ones without food/boogers etc on their face.)


Pancakes make it easier to be a morning person too.
coffee cake.. sausage egg stratta..you get the idea.
Having real food..or a tasty breakfast food makes it easier to do
the whole up at the crack of dawn thing.
I love oatmeal. or Danon Fit & Active Vanilla yogurt with blueberries and granola. yum.

Be sure to visit Natalie and say hello & follow her on Instagram - Inspiring things happening there! 



Day 1: Erin of The Blue Eyed Bride.
Day 2: Rachel of Kincaid Parade.


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What's Your Morning Routine? Day 2 with Rachel of Kincaid Parade.

9.18.2013

Natalie & I put together a fun project for The Influence Conference NEXT WEEK! We asked 6 bloggers who will be attending the conference to share their morning routines with us. We equipped them with our Latte Mug + Spoon sets to kick start their mornings!

I will share a blogger a day leading up to the conference! Then I will be off to meet new people, get inspired, worship & have a great time in Indiana!

We asked Rachel of Kincaid Parade: What's your morning routine?


We can hear the twins chatting upstairs in their cribs, most likely tossing stuffed animals back and forth. Soon, we'll hear them transition to sing-yelling, the signal they're ready to get dressed. There's no doubt that Ames is awake and staring faithfully at his clock, waiting for it to turn green. Soon, we'll hear his sweet feet pattering down the stairs and into our bedroom.

Until then, though, these fifteen minutes are ours.

Chris prepares my iced coffee and his hot tea. We eat breakfast; sometimes together, sometimes not. He prefers to eat the same thing each morning, but I like to switch things up. My favorite indulgence is a bowl of deliciously unhealthy cereal that I keep hidden from the kids.

It doesn't matter if we're checking emails or reading or talking quietly on the couch or still lying in bed with our treats. Soon, the world will catch up to us. But right now, these fifteen minutes are ours.

Be sure to visit Rachel and say hello & follow her on Instagram - Inspiring things happening there!


If you missed Day 1, be sure to go checkout Erin of The Blue Eyed Bride's Morning Routine


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What's Your Morning Routine? Day 1 with Erin of Blue Eyed Bride.

9.17.2013

Natalie & I put together a fun project for The Influence Conference NEXT WEEK! We asked 6 bloggers who will be attending the conference to share their morning routines with us. We equipped them with our Latte Mug + Spoon sets to kick start their mornings!

I will share a blogger a day leading up to the conference! Then I will be off to meet new people, get inspired, worship & have a great time in Indiana!

We asked Erin of the Blue Eyed Bride: What's your morning routine?



We’re in the phase where a certain four-year-old is knocking on our door every morning at 6:00 a.m. This is the earliest he has ever woken up.

And Todd and I are night owls. I hit my second wind at 10:00 p.m. I blog, I watch TV, I stay up way too late for his 6:00 a.m. wake up call.

So Hudson gets our day going. Todd and I sludge around and doze with Hudson in the bed until about 7:00 a.m. And then we start running and racing.

Dressing kids, getting ourselves dressed. Letting the dogs out and feeding the dogs and getting breakfast for the kids. I may guzzle a cup of coffee and wish I had more time to really enjoy it before we jump in the car and head off to school.

I spend my morning while they’re at school running errands, going to the gym, doing housework. Trying to wake up, basically.

But after school, and after lunch. My “mommy power hour” begins.



I get the boys down for naps, let the dogs out, get dinner prepped, and then it’s my time.

Because our mornings start out with us all running wild, I take time during nap time for coffee and quiet.

I turn on my favorite praise music and spread out. The TV is off. The toys are out of sight. I can hear my thoughts.

I sip my coffee slowly out of my gorgeous, enormous latte mug, and I soak up the Word. I work on my daily to-do list, and I have a couple of hours to do it.

It’s my favorite time of day, and if I’m feeling extra productive, I may even go back for a second cup.

I just need a little bit of quiet, a breakfast blend K-Cup, and the Word.

Be sure to visit Erin and say hello & follow her on Instagram - Inspiring things happening there! 

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