“
Do your own thing, in your own time.
“
BONNIE + harlo
Bonnie & Harlo began as a little hobby.d I was a stay at home mum with 3 kids and my husband worked away. I was searching for some cute bunny ears for Bonnie for her first easter but couldnt find what I had in mind so created it and then a friend suggested I should make more and sell them and i had seen small buisnesses on instagram and loved sharing my own pics of diy, fashion ect so just posted a pic of the boho bunny ears.
Jess
Share some of your hobbies...
My hobbies include shopping shopping and more shopping. I have always loved fashion and trends not just clothing but interiors too. It makes me happy and I also enjoying arts n craft too.
A bit about your motherhood story...
BONNIE AND HARLO
photocredit: ELLE PIERCE @shelovedfiercephotography
LARGE
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- Jess’ favourite quote, by @momentaryhappiness
What initiated your drive to begin?
Q and A with
NOTED MAGAZINE
Motherhood is so different for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed those early years... with no place to go and no times to be somewhere (eg school) I have three kiddies 2 boys and 1 girl and I loved being pregnant I was so happy, thankful to be creating a life and just loved it! Im sure at the time I wasnt as enthusastic but in reflection now I loved the sleepless nights and how much my babies needed me - as they grow they still need me but Im finding each year to become more difficult and am needing to learn and grow myself too.
How do you find balancing business with family?
I believe that there is no such thing as balance and that it is important to learn to accept that you can never be everywhere and give your 100% to everything something will always be off - so my hot tip is to accept that and focus on what you are good at because thats where you will always excel. Bonnie is my little muse and she inspires me everyday... I also draw inspiration from my own mum as she ran her own childrens clothing label while I was growing up. I remember always being under the sewing machine and flicking through kids fashion mags like bambini ect. I love classic cuts and
retro/vintage styles. I create my take on those.
Most enjoy about being a mama?
Best thing about being a mama is the unconditional love. When you think you have messed up they remind you that you didnt.
Favourite thing about owning a small biz?
The small biz industry has sooo many postives but I think the main is the ability to connect with like minded women and being able to learn, grow and succeed along side one another. Some of my faves are Luly and Milly, Topknot girl, Bluebird co.
Hardest part about owning a small business?
Small biz is a 24hour a day job there is no break and no off time especially in the beginning - although I feel like this still almost 5 years on. You put your heart into everything you do and this can be a downfall as your heart can be hurt very easily. Because there is no one filtering the feedback you recieve you can let a small comment from a customer break you - this has happened to me a few times and when it does I remember to share that I am a human too and that being kind is so important. It usually happens when Im feeling overwhelmed and or run down and i usually see this and take a short time away to reflect too.
Where to from here for Bonnie & Harlo?
This year we have grown with the arrival of two team members Nat and Elle ( @shelovedfiercephotography) and I am just loving where these two beautiful souls have helped take Bonnie & Harlo this year. We are excited for 2020 and cant wait to share what we have been working on. It is set to be a big year as my little Bonnie is off to prep too.
