The Mother Nature

THE MOTHER NATURE
THE FAMILY GROOVE's PROFILE OF A MOM WHO'S MAKING IT HAPPEN

The days of the traditional coffee clutch may be over, but at THE FAMILY GROOVE we're doing it new school,
bringing people together to laugh, learn, share and commiserate in the global village called the Internet.

This month, we want you meet Jen Velarde, a woman who has the art of living creatively in the bag.
This Chicago mother of one and one on the way is a shining example of walking your talk and talking
your walk, applying what drives her soul to both her work and family lives.

Her perspective—which is not so easy to have with a three-year-old in tow, a booming business and a
blossoming belly—inspires us to know that anything is possible.

Jen Velarde 1. Who are you?
Jen Velarde, founder of 1154 Lill Studio

2. How old are you?
33

3. Where do you live?
Chicago, IL

4. How many children do you have? How old?
A three-year-old son, Joey and one due in August.

5. What time do you get up?
7 am

6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
I don’t have a lot of rituals that I repeat everyday. It seems that the sequence of each day is different and the only things I am sure to do every day is take a shower and drink at least one soda

7. What do you wish you'd do everyday, but haven't been able to incorporate into your routine?
I wish I could spend more time outside.

8. Do you work?
Yes.

9. What do you do?
I own and operate 1154 Lill Studio, a custom boutique that allows you to design your own handbags, purses, totes and now shoes online, in our stores or at a party. We have stores in Chicago, Boston and Kansas City and do parties across the country.

10. Tell us about it.
I’m really fortunate to get to work on something I really enjoy everyday. I get to work with an amazing team of professionals doing something creative that, at the end of the day, I am very proud of.

11. What's the best thing your mother ever told you?
Treat everyone you meet with kindness. Share your talents whenever you can. Find ways to help others— it is the most satisfying thing you can do.

12. What does being a good mother mean?
Being a good mother means teaching your children to explore, to be creative and to treat everyone with respect. It also means showing your children by your example how to be a good person.

13. What's your mantra/personal philosophy?
Find creativity in everything you do.

14. What do you tell other mothers?
Enjoy the little moments with your children. Take time to really focus on their needs and listen carefully to what they are telling you because they have a lot to say.

15. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know
That they can be anything they want to be and that they should try many things before deciding which path to take.

16. Who inspires you?
My husband—he is a true entrepreneur and helps me to believe anything is possible.

17. What are you passionate about?
My family and friends, my work and my creativity.

18. How do you balance your life as a woman, a mother, a friend?
It can be hard to balance all these things and do them all well. I try to focus on the present so I appreciate what I am doing in the moment. When I am with friends or my family or on my own, I really try to appreciate that time for what it is so I don’t miss the special moments by thinking about yesterday or tomorrow.

19. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
This is a tough one because I believe what you go through in life makes you who you are today. If you know too much about the future, you’ll miss out on a lot along the way.

20. How do you get your groove on?
I love to sing along (loudly) to music while driving in my car. Of course, with my voice, I only do this while alone.

Want to know more about Jen? Go to www.1154lill.com.

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