Interview with Accidental Pren-her Jill Caren

Today's special guest on The Accidental Pren-her Show, Stories of the Unexpected is Accidental Pren-her Jill Caren of I Love Photo Gifts.

This quick-fire, 10-minute interview talks about how she turned her personal challenge into a beautiful solution. It all started when Jill was out shopping for her daughter's first baby book. That’s not so special, you may be thinking. After all, every mother does that.

Well, the thing that made this so special is Jill’s situation. You see, there are only three people in Jill’s family. Besides her daughter and her husband, there is no one else: no brothers, sisters, parents, or grandparents. This is what got her started down the entrepreneurial path.

When it came time to go out and get that first baby book for my daughter, I found all the baby books were completely irrelevant to our unique family situation, being that we have none. It’s just the three of us, so it was very difficult. I didn’t want to give my daughter a book that was going to have all these empty pages in it and, honestly, the books really were not my style. So I created my own digitally. I incorporated pictures, I incorporated letters, I incorporated all the cards we got when she was born, and I had it bound into a hardbound book at a local bindery. It kind of took off from there.

Listen to how Jill went from first year baby book to her fast growing, high-end photo gifts business.

You can download her interview and listen to it from your computer or ipod, or read it in full below.

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™

Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Hey, everyone! Welcome once again to another episode of the Accidental Pren-her Show: Stories of the Unexpected. I’m your host, Susan Reid, and today we’re going to talk about photo gifts. We have as our special guest today Jill Caren. She is the owner of ilovephotogifts.com, and she’s got a great story to tell us. Welcome, Jill!

J:    Hi. How are you?

S:    I’m great! Let’s find out a little bit about this journey that you’ve been on, moving from a corporate event planner into a successful small business owner. The first question is where did you get the idea for ilovephotogifts.com? Where did that come from?

J:    Basically, I was a corporate event planner. I had gotten pregnant and had my beautiful daughter, and I decided I did not want to go back to the world of travel. I had no plans to start a business. It was definitely something I had been thinking about, but when it came time to go out and get that first baby book for my daughter, I was out and about and I found all the baby books were completely irrelevant to our unique family situation, being that we have none. It’s just the three of us, so it was very difficult. I didn’t want to give my daughter a book that was going to have all these empty pages in it and, honestly, the books really were not my style. They were very fluffy and frilly. So I created my own digitally. I incorporated pictures, I incorporated letters, I incorporated all the cards we got when she was born, and had it bound into a hardbound book at a local bindery – and it kind of took off from there.

S:    So this book has evolved into something more. Photo gifts? What’s with “photo gifts”?

J:    We started with the books, then we started doing custom photo art, where we did collages and pop art, and then we started doing photo cards. I got more into photography, and once that started I realized that, wow, there was a whole world of really great photo gifts out there, but all I was ever seeing were, at the time, mouse pads and mugs and things you can get at pretty much any store. Then I found all of these magnificent artists who did things like the necklaces and the purses and stones – just really unique items – and I thought, “Okay, here’s a niche” and I realized that there’s nothing else out there like it. So I started a website about three years ago and have been going strong ever since.

S:    You’re really talking about high-end photo gifts here, aren’t you?

J:    Yes. We do not offer mugs, we do not offer mouse pads, we do not offer acrylic keychains. Everything we do is pretty high-end. What makes us really unique is that I’ve really taken the time to evaluate every product that we offer. I’ve seen every product personally. The one thing that’s really special about my store is that we really only work with small artists, other mom-owned businesses, manufacturers that are in the US … I don’t do any mass produced items. It’s only small business owners and artists.

S:    So you really did take the time to specialize with your niche in your focus, didn’t you?

J:    Absolutely. It took me a long time to realize that it was a market that was not filled. Our prices are a little higher than a normal photo gift store, but the quality is also a lot higher than what you’d get in a normal photo gift store. It’s all relevant. I’m big on supporting moms who want to stay home with their kids, and I try to do that through the store. I’m constantly on the lookout for new talent and people. All the artwork is done directly through me. I use other moms if we’re overwhelmed during the holidays who also are designers, so it’s outsourced to them. And we use other moms and other small businesses for the other gifts that we have.

S:    You really are a woman-owned business, aren’t you?

J:    Very much so.

S:    And you’re focusing on women … Is it specifically to moms, or all women?

J:    All women. I’m a fan of the stay-at-home-mom thing. I think it’s something really important. I had planned on going back to work when I had my daughter. I was going to go back to corporate event planning, but I looked at this amazing little person when she was six weeks old and said, “I can absolutely not do that to her.” Thankfully, my husband was very supportive. Financially, it was hard, so it’s nice that I did start this when I did. It’s just something that I’m passionate about. The other reason for it is just because I have no pictures of me as a child at all. I have no family history. I have no pictures of my grandparents. I couldn’t tell you a thing about my family history, so it’s a very passionate thing for me. It’s very mom-focused, because I want moms to understand that it’s an important part of life.

S:    So what made you decide to jump the corporate ship and become a small business owner?

J:    It was not a hard jump to take! I’d been working very hard for a very long time, there was a lot of traveling … I was tired of putting money into someone else’s pocket, basically. I was working very hard and the corporations were making money off of me and the marketing that I did, and I just got tired of it. I didn’t want to go back to travel, and the only other thing I could really possibly do was some kind of administrative job, and that’s just not in my genetic makeup.

S:    What parts of being a small business owner, especially as a mom, do you find the most challenging?

J:    The most challenging is to figure out how to define yourself. I’ve really struggled with the website, whether to make it a big website, do I want it to look like a big company, do I want it to look like a small mom-owned company… That’s probably been my biggest challenge – trying to figure out where I really fit in. Evaluating how people would rather purchase: would they rather purchase from a small, well-known company, or have the security of a big company that has all these people behind it? That’s been the biggest challenge.

S:    Yes, and it is for many of us. That’s for sure. So what or who is your greatest or biggest inspiration?

J:    My daughter, without a doubt. Yes, she came about unexpectedly. She knows what a gift she is to us. We make it clear to her every day. We told her the truth that we’d never planned on having children. It was not something we thought we were prepared for. I had a very turbulent childhood. I didn’t want that for any child, so I thought it’s easier just not to have one. She’s been amazing. She’s the reason the business is here, she’s the reason I keep going. As much as she is an inspiration to me every day for what’s important in life and why I’m doing what I’m doing, I want it to be an inspiration to her to understand she can do whatever she wants to do. She doesn’t have to go down the corporate path – she’s got to make her own path.

S:    I love that. Not only has she inspired you, but you also are inspiring her by setting the example, aren’t you?

J:    I hope so. You know, every day I think, “What if I do fail? What if the business doesn’t succeed at the level that I want it to?” We’re doing well now. I’d like to get it to the next level. Rachel’s involved every day. She’s with me every day working hard, and I really explain to her what I’m doing. She takes an interest in it. Even though she’s only five, she’s very well manicured to what I do every day. It’s just interesting. And at this point in my life, I can’t give up because I want to show her that it can be done. It’s not an easy ride, and it’s a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the end.

S:    She, indeed, is an unexpected treasure for you all, isn’t she?

J:    She amazing. Every kid is special, and I know that every mom knows that their kid’s the best, but Rachel is truly a gift. Being a woman who has no family, who never really had a family, who had a mom who was very emotionally abusive – Rachel gave me something I never had, which is not only a family, but a lot of love. That transferred into the business because I am passionate about families. I think kids need to know where they come from. That was a lot of the reason I was lost for so long, because without having that history to refer back to and having those happy childhood stories to hear as an adult, you do kind of get lost as an adult.

S:    You really are filling a niche, and you are really effecting some wonderful healing and change, so congratulations, Jill!

J:    Thank you.

S:    Jill, what one word describes your life today?

J:    Completely fulfilling. One word? Fulfilling. Right now, I’m at the best point in my life. I want to take the business to the next level. It’s at a turning point where I’m looking for external sources to assist me, doing more with people who can coach me and things like that, and it’s really kind of helping. It’s a transitional point for me right now, but I’m completely fulfilled with everything.

S:    I love that! And what quality or characteristic is most important to you?

J:    Honesty.

S:    What turns you off?

J:     Selfishness.

S:    What turns you on?

J:    My husband. (Laughter)

S:    We’ll just leave that there! (Laughter)

J:    Not in the way you think! When it comes to women business owners, I think having a supportive husband is, by far, the most important thing in the world. And my husband has wholeheartedly supported me with this. He’s taken the role of caregiver for our daughter for the two years to get this up and running. He is just a special guy.

S:    It sounds like it! So what’s the most precious thing, Jill, that you’ve learned along the journey from Accidental Pren-her to entrepreneurial woman?

J:    That’s a good question. There have been so many lessons learned. One is stay true to yourself and don’t worry about making everybody else happy. As I tell my daughter, make your heart happy.

S:    Oh, I like that! “Make your heart happy.”

J:    And that’s what I’ve done with this business. You have to find a business and you have to find a niche that will make your heart happy. If you don’t, you won’t be successful.

S:    Indeed. That’s exactly right. Jill, once again, thanks so much for being on the Accidental Pren-her Show and sharing your story, sharing about wonderful Rachel, and, of course, about your really cool company, ilovephotogifts.com. I know you have a very special “special” for our readers and our listeners. So tell us how they can get in touch with you, and tell us what special you’re offering to everybody that heads on over.

J:    They can reach me through my website, ilovephotogifts.com. Feel free to email me at jill@ilovephotogifts.com. I’m always here to help or just talk or if anybody needs some feedback. Our special that we’re running is $10 off any purchase through July 15 by using the code “motivateme” at checkout.

S:    Motivate me! I love that! Ladies and gentlemen, head on over to Jill’s website, ilovephotogifts.com – it kind of just rolls off the tongue – she’s got a special there up until July 15, and make sure that you use the code “motivateme”. Thank you, Jill!

J:    Thank you, Susan.

Comments

[Louann Vertrees]

What a wonderful idea Jill! Wishing you much continued success.

[Louann Vertrees]

What a wonderful idea Jill! Wishing you much continued success.

[Imie]

Wow! what a great story! A real story book :) Wish you all best and great success!

[The Original Accidental Pren-her]

Indeed, it is a great story, and so inspirational, Jill!

[Kendall Morris]

Wow Jill! What an inspiring story! I love your beautiful products too!

[Carolyn - Crickets Roar virtual assistant services]

Jill, your story of how you took your difficult experiences as a child and turned them into such a positive, inspiring, and from-the-heart business is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing it!

[Jina Daigle]

Thanks Jill! Your story is a testimony to many, I'm sure, who find that the unexpected usually has a higher purpose in our life than we imagined possible. Good luck to you as you grow and expand (yourself and your business)... and how cool that you are interested in growing others along the way too!

[Cindy]

Thank you for sharing your story, Jill. Love those photo tiles you carry!! ;)

[Moschel Kadokura]

Hi Jill:
Love the tribute to your husband. Mine "turns me on" too with his constant support of my business and entrepreneurial dreams. We've got special guys! You sound so inspired by your daughter; what a wonderful foundation for your life and business. Here's to your continued success.
Moschel Kadokura
www.timelymatters.com

[Moschel Kadokura]

Hi Jill:
Love the tribute to your husband. Mine "turns me on" too with his constant support of my business and entrepreneurial dreams. We've got special guys! You sound so inspired by your daughter; what a wonderful foundation for your life and business. Here's to your continued success.
Moschel Kadokura
www.timelymatters.com

[Jill Caren]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a comment! I love sharing my story with others for so many reasons...but my favorite is the reassurance that a business can come from the most unique life experiences...bad things happen to us all...but we never know what may come of it or what positive things may come from it when we follow our hearts! My daughter showed me the road my heart wanted to travel and I know I will never look back! I love what I do and the fulfillment I get from being a part of each customers life in some way......thank you for letting me share with everyone!!!

[Julie N]

Just reading your story Jill gives me goosebumps! I love to hear stories about how women started with their businesses b/c it usually comes from a personal experience that touches a cord in my heart. Your business truly reflects your passion for helping others keepsake precious memories. :)

[Jill Caren]

Thanks again everyone! And if I can ever be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact me! I am a big advocate of helping each other succeed!!! Thanks for allowing me to share my story!