Hi, my name is: Shana Yansen
My mommy-owned business is: Jute & Jackfruit
My website: www.juteandjackfruit.com
Here’s the story behind my business: Jute and Jackfruit sells limited edition, Made in the USA, organic and sustainable clothing for women. Although Jute and Jackfruit officially launched more than 3 years ago, its foundation extends back more than a decade when I was in Honduras working as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Teaching workshops and courses to midwives, community health volunteers and young adults, I learned more than I would have ever dreamed from these inspiring, yet struggling people. One particularly transformative experience came through co-organizing a conference on “Women Leaders of Honduras”, where I worked with talented, dynamic women ranging from small business owners and entrepreneurs to strong community leaders. There, I learned of the tremendous power of small business and cooperatives on advancing the general well being of these women, their families and their communities.
Marveling at their beautiful handmade products, I knew I would someday start a company that worked to empower women worldwide, both in the USA and overseas.
A few years after completing my time with the Peace Corps, I found myself working in Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia, on public health projects. At times, my research connected me with the garment industry, where I learned of the young age at which many girls start working in factories, questionable working conditions, lack of opportunities, and rampant environmental pollution. Returning to the USA, I began researching the fashion and textile industry and its overall environmental impact. I also grew more passionate about environmental conservation.
Jute and Jackfruit was born to offer the most stylish, earth-friendly and ethical clothing and accessories available while empowering women and Mothers worldwide.
What have you learned from your kids that has helped you run your business better?: Life is a continuous learning process, and I have relearned through caring for my infant son some of life’s most basic lessons in prioritization and time management. Only until after my son was born, did I appreciate how valuable and scarce a resource time is. My child absorbs much of my energy (especially in the few months right after he was born), so learning to become more efficient with time in my business was crucial. For example, I’ve learned how to do things in 15 minutes that used to require two hours.
Related to time management is my heightened sense of priorities and what really matters as a Mom. Nothing brings me greater joy than caring for my son and watching him grow up. Concerned about his future and the future of children everywhere, I see our environmental crisis with greater urgency. My son has taught me and reinforced in me how important our natural world is, and that we must strive to protect our planet. My online business is one way I try to contribute, through its environmental and ethical values. Along these lines, one reason I devote one percent of revenue annually to local environmental non-profits is to contribute further to this positive change.
Motherhood has also invoked compassion in me towards Mothers everywhere. Having lived in several impoverished regions of the world before starting Jute and Jackfruit, I recall what it was like to live without running water, electricity, sanitation, or access to education. There are so many places where women struggle every day to make ends meet and keep their children alive. Now that I have my own child, I know how hard it is to raise healthy children, even with access to resources. As such, I am ever more respectful of mothers everywhere in this journey and I want to do my part to make it easier for everyone.
Why are you and your business ready for a makeover?: Jute and Jackfruit has been in business for three years, and we are transitioning out of the start-up phase. At this point, we have established the foundations of the company such as the day-to-day operations and have come to know our customers and audience. I hope to build from those foundations to accelerate growth and successfully transition Jute and Jackfruit to a sustainable and profitable enterprise.
In particular, the knowledge of our customers and audience will be used to refresh the website experience. We want to express the earth-friendly aesthetic of the Jute and Jackfruit logo throughout the website such as changes in the navigation menus and buttons.
What makes you a supermompreneur?: Jute and Jackfruit is a haven for Mompreneurs in more ways than one.
First, we carry products made by women entrepreneurs in the USA, many of whom who are also Mothers. We are proud to carry these limited edition collections and products made by women independent designers and cooperatives, knowing that Jute and Jackfruit is helping to sustain these Mompreneurs and their businesses.
In addition, Jute and Jackfruit loves Moms! We cater to women who are Mothers, concerned about the environment and how things are made, and who also want to look and feel great. Our customers enjoy finding interesting, unique, and sometimes edgy clothing that reflects their own personal style. Clothing can be a reflection of one’s values and personality, and Jute and Jackfruit caters to that conscientious woman who also craves style.
It is often in becoming a mother that one’s environmental and social consciousness heightens. One becomes more savvy and concerned about what one buys and consumes. For example, we Moms are often on the look-out for the safest, best products for our homes, our children and ourselves. Along these lines, Jute and Jackfruit is designed for Mothers and Mompreneurs with this heightened awareness.
Becoming pregnant during my second year of business, I learned to juggle raising an infant with building my business. Working long hours to sustain and grow the company, despite feeling exhausted and in pain was not easy. While I love my new job as Mom, balancing my company can be challenging with both sets of responsibilities. Jute and Jackfruit is a family venture in partnership with my supportive husband. We’ve had to work it out as a team while balancing parenthood. I am very happy with what I’ve achieved in terms of balancing both ventures thus far–raising him as well as growing Jute and Jackfruit, and would definitely consider myself a fellow Mompreneur!