A special thank you to Fagan at Very Sweet Bows. She’s not only answered my questions about how she got into the Bow Industry, but she’s also offering FREE SHIPPING to all my readers. Read on for more…
When I was younger, my mom would say that thanks to me, there were four bald-headed younguns (or “chillun,” depending on just how Southern she was feeling that day) in this world. As if there’s a limited quantity of hair God has to use.
Turns out, this may be the case, as my daughter was born completely bald, despite the massive heads of hair her father and I possess.
To top off the injustice of going through her early days with a perfectly round and totally bald head, Annalyn has also had to suffer through several a-DOR-able blue outfits.
And you know what that means…
“Oh, your little guy is so cute!”
“What’s your son’s name?”
“What a sweet boy!”
Though her hair finally started coming in (and with a vengeance – child has her father’s crazy curly hair that, by the end of the day, turns into a fuzzy, tangled nest), I decided to give in to the Bow Industry.
I’m sure you’ve seen their work. Little girls around the world (or at least in my corner of the Midwest U.S.) sport hideous, enormous bows, flowers and hats, all thanks to the Bow Industry.
I’ve resisted. I’ve bucked the bizarre trend. I’ve said things like, “I’ll never make my child wear something like that!” and “Who in their right mind thinks that looks cute?” and even “Seriously? Seriously.”
But after the 47th person commented on my sweet-natured little BOY (who was dressed in purple, thank you very much) one night at the grocery store…well, I caved.
I got online and searched. And searched and searched and searched. Turns out that Etsy site is one addictive place!
But I digress. What I’m here to tell you today is that I have found a solution. And that solution is Very Sweet Bows.
In my quest for a bow that was cute, reasonably priced (you would not believe what some people charge for these things) and not obscenely huge, I found one. And the angels sang.
Annalyn was thrilled to get a black headband and bow set (#1 on the headband page), as well as a pink one, in her Christmas stocking.
Okay, not so much as thrilled as bored. And not so much bored as wondering why on earth I ever thought she’d keep something like this on her head.
But she’s the baby; I’m the parent. (Can you tell we’re working on discipline at our house?) What matters is that for the 38 seconds at a time that she will humor me and wear the headband/bow, she is stinking adorable! And clearly, a girl.
The owner of Very Sweet Bows agreed to sit down with us and tell us more about her business. Meet Fagan:
Hello! I am a 38-year-old native Texan and mommy to my 6-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. My weaknesses are obscenely thick mystery books, pots of hot tea and music from the 40s. Not that I’m an old-fashioned girl or anything!
My bows are classic and girly, but also hand-washable and durable. I’ve also expanded my line of products in the last couple of years with tutus, crayon rolls, wipe cases and other little goodies.
I started Very Sweet Bows 4 years ago when I owned a brick and mortar children’s store. After selling the store, I started the website and built it into a full-time job. My business is about half retail and half wholesale; I have items in boutiques throughout the U.S. and in a couple of stores overseas. My background includes marketing and management, so that has certainly helped. Not to mention, I’m hopelessly addicted to fabric, ribbon, buttons, patterns, yarn. I would go on but I’m getting lightheaded just thinking about it!
The most rewarding thing about my job is the positive feedback that I get. I love hearing from my customers and receiving pictures of their little ones wearing my bows! And I have formed lovely friendships with so many moms, which I treasure.
And today, you can have your very own Very Sweet Bows – with FREE SHIPPING! Just mention this blog when you check out, and Fagan will refund your shipping costs.
Very Sweet Bows works for me. To read about what’s working for others today, visit Rocks in My Dryer.
I understand your pain. I always had that problem with Honor. She wasn’t bald, but her hair naturally chopped itself off like a perfect little boy’s cut. Once she was wearing a PINK DRESS when an older man said what a handsome boy I had…I am not joking!
Never say never, I guess! ;) It’s weird to me that people would think she’s a boy since she’s so obviously a girl to me, but maybe that’s because I already know her. ;) And HM, I think that man must have had a vision problem!
WV: flateras — isn’t that some kind of Mexican dish?
Ooohh, she looks adorable with her bows!
Wow. This is a great blog post. Seriously. Really good content, complete with an interview. I am so inspired!
The bows are really cute! My oldest daughter was born with – not an exaggeration – 2 inches of straight, jet black hair. When she was about a week old, it stuck up and never slicked back down. If I had a dollar for every time anyone said “Look at that HAIR!” her college education would be covered. So, we didn’t need the bows. Chloe probably did, but she was the second, and, well, there you go.
Thanks, Brenda!
And thanks so much, Amy. I was just convinced our baby would be born with a full head of hair – Mark and I both have lots of it. But nope! We had a little cue ball! :)
:) Josh and I both have tons of hair which was not at all translated to our children. Both were born with a tiny bit of hair that was quickly lost. At least by his first birthday, Aiden had a decent head of hair, but Katie took MUCH longer- and she would not tolerate bows at all! Now she has a bit of hair but won’t let me put clips or ponytails in her hair at all- so we have just gotten used to hearing about our two sons!
And yes, people are amazingly blind to colour!
Buy bows while you can.. the CPSCIA will effectively shut all child item businesses down as of February 10th.