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Crafting as your day job

March 28, 2016 by Leslie Leave a Comment

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This is an ongoing series about people doing wonderful, interesting, unusual things with their lives. Leslie wondered how two crafty sisters could turn their handiwork into profit. So she packed up her baby, walked through downtown Keyport, New Jersey, and sat with them in their shop to find out.

I love crafting. There is something in my blood that needs to make things, from sewing felt alphabet letters to knitting a dozen hats for fun. From time to time, I fantasize about what it would be like to own a little shop and sell the cute stuff I make. But once I add in all the logistics of owning a small business, the idea falls to the wayside. (Not to mention the fact that hand-knit items are not exactly the best way to make a profit.)

Last year, I happened upon a new store in my town that gave me a glimpse into what life running a small business would be like. I was curious to see what kind of crafts the owners loved, what their backgrounds were, and where they’re headed….

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Filed Under: Features Tagged With: boss lady, boss women, crafts, entrepreneur, knitting, small business

A business of books and tea

March 13, 2016 by Suzanne Leave a Comment

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If I had to rattle off my favorite small pleasures in the world, tea and books would be at the top of the list. So when I heard about Muse Monthly, a subscription service that sends a new book with a themed tea pairing, I thought: “YES, PLEASE.”

I asked Christina Blok, the creator of this genius idea, to share the story of how it started and why she loves her side-hustle.

Christina Blok, Muse MonthlyeUpzpQn

Smart facts:

  • Passion project: CEO and Creative Director of Muse Monthly
  • Day job: Social media marketing
  • Social media: Website Twitter Instagram

Domestic facts:

  • Lives in New York City
  • In a long-distance relationship

Christina grew up as an avid book reader, and she’s also a frequent tea drinker. “My mom has always been a tea person, and she instilled a love for tea in me and my siblings,” she said.

Last year, Christina was in a stressful job that was wearing her down, and every evening, she’d come home and crave a gigantic mug of tea and a book, to help her shut down and relax. That’s when the idea for Muse Monthly was born: What if you could get a great new book and a delicious tea on your door step every month? What if the tea was selected to create a cozy atmosphere that matched the theme of the book?

The Venn diagram of people who love books and people who love tea is practically a circle.
– Christina Blok

…

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Filed Under: Features Tagged With: books, boss lady, boss women, entrepreneur, kickstarter, reading, tea

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