Interview with Founder All That It Seams, Caitlin Childs

Caitlin Childs started sewing when she was just eight years old. At age fifteen, Caitlin learned to knit. From that point on, she began making all of her own accessories. When she got married, Caitlin took a job as a seamstress and perfected her sewing skills. From that point, she took another job as a boutique manager and learned the ins and outs of the fashion industry. Once Caitlin felt like she had enough skills and knowledge to pursue her dreams, she took the plunge and opened her own business in 2016. Since then, Caitlin have received a celebrity endorsement with each product launch and have been able to partner with multiple animal shelters.

It's my pleasure to introduce Caitlin.


Faten Abdallah (FA): Why did you become an entrepreneur?
Caitlin Childs (CC):  I don’t think that becoming an entrepreneur was ever something that I “decided” to do. It was more like a calling for me. I was being drawn to the career that allowed me to showcase my talents and pursue my passions.

FA: What have you learned about yourself as an entrepreneur?
CC:  I’m definitely more resilient than I thought I was. Before owning my own business, when problems would arise, I would let them get me down for days at a time. Now, I’ve learned that when faced with a challenge, I just have to put my head down and figure out a way around it. 

FA:  How do you find the latest fashion classics and trends?
CC:  I spend a lot of time on Pinterest. As crazy as it sounds, pinterest is a great resource for the newest upcoming fashion trends.

FA: What makes your clothing business different than other clothing businesses? 
CC: Whenever I was working as a boutique manager, I noticed that in the world of women’s fashion accessories, you can either choose between fashionable or functional. It’s nearly impossible to find products that meet both criteria. I wanted to bridge that gap and create accessories that are not only functional for everyday life, but that have their own classic sense of style as well. 

FA: You have some partnerships. Please tell us about them. 
CC: We have the privilege of partnering with several animal shelters in an attempt to make sure that every shelter animal is provided with the emotional and physical care they deserve. A portion of our proceeds each month are donated to this cause.

We’re very excited to announce our new fall/winter product line launching in October. We will be offering a wide variety of bags and accessories designed specifically for cooler weather.  

 Our website is www.allthatitseams.com. We can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/allthatitseams) and Instagram (@allthatitseams).

Business Interview with Jamie Bennett of The Lifestyle Group

Before Jamie Bennett started The LifeStyle Group in 2013, Jamie reflected on her two decades of corporate experience to determine how she could best use her expertise to help change people’s lives. 

 When she considered how she could best serve others in her business, her mind kept gravitating to some of the most stressful years of her life: the years she spent working for an investment bank. She worked late nights and early mornings and regularly had dinner at her desk. Although it was difficult, the company she worked for did its best to make sure her colleagues and her were taken care of – They offered town cars to take them home late at night. They offered catered dinners that were delivered to their desks during late night sessions. That company taught Jamie the art of delegating tasks and the importance of hiring the right people to do the work. 

 Here’s what you should know about Jamie, she's not a college kid looking for extra money. She's not a bored housewife looking for a way to spend her  afternoons. Jamie graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Spelman College and a MBA from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College. She is a business woman focused on executing at a high level. She manages your life so that you can live it. Jamie and her team  anticipate your needs and she ensure that all assignments are efficiently completed with the goal of exceeding your standards. 

I had the privilege of interviewing Jamie.

Faten Abdallah (FA):  Have people become busier?  Why?

 

 Jamie Bennett (JB): Yes, I believe so.  The prevalence of cell phones, along with the growth of social media literally gives us the ability to be plugged in non-stop. We can check our e-mail from our phone, plan a vacation and conduct our banking business via our phones.  If you haven't figured out how to step away from it every once in a while you will find yourself being "on" 24/7.

 

FA: There are 24 hours in a day, how can we "do it all"?

 JB:  The only way that I know to "do it all" in 24 hours is to become a rockstar at delegating.  There are core tasks in your life that can only be done by you, everything else has to be moved off your plate. Hiring help is one of the smartest things you can do for yourself!! Release any guilt that you feel with delegating tasks, we don't judge our clients, ever.  We are the solution in helping you live your very best life.

 

 

FA: What inspired you to start The Lifestyle Group?

JB: After 21 years, I reached a point in my career in Corporate America where I wasn't happy or fulfilled.  I allowed myself to begin the journey of figuring out what's next. As I began to consider entrepreneurship, I went through the list of things that I couldn't do well enough to have a business doing, like cooking and sewing, lol.  I then begin to pray about the competencies that I were passionate about and that could be monetized.  I reflected on my time working for an Investment Bank and how they provided an opportunity for you to delegate many personal task. I believed that there was an opportunity for that philosophy to be applied to people's personal lives.

 

FA: What have clients gained from using your services?

JB: Clients have gained peace of mind and the ability to be present in their lives.  Instead of spending time in the grocery store, they are able to be at their child's sporting event. Instead of worrying about the details of an event and the behind the scenes madness, they are able to enjoy their guest and being a host.

 

 

I really want people to make time to open their mind to the concept of applying outsourcing to their personal lives.  It will require a shift in mindset, but it is life changing and an investment worth making.  I always say, "Superwoman is a fictitious character, she was never supposed to be your role model."

 

Visit  website, www.wemanagelife.com, on facebook https:\\www.facebook.com\WeManageLife, on instagram - thelifestylestrategist and on twitter @ceojb.