Lisa Huckstep {Women in Business Series}

Lisa Huckstep
Tri-Bec Creation
Facebook
Etsy
Blog

Tell me a bit about yourself!

My name is Lisa and I'm the girl behind Tri-Bec Creations. I'm located in Southeast Missouri right across the river from Illinois and just about an hour north of Kentucky and Arkansas. I'm mommy to two very special little boys and the wife to the most wonderful and supportive husband I could ever dream of, he's truly my best friend! We enjoy spending time together and our family trips to the beach.

What do you do when you have free time?

I'm not sure I know what free time is these days! I'm a full time stay at home mom to a 2 year old and 1 year old, so I don't even have days when they're away at school yet. I do my work when they sleep! :) We spend our days playing, reading books, and exploring the world. I do enjoy planning a good party and working in my flower beds when it's not too hot. I also love to bake anything and everything. In the past few years I've been working on my cake decorating skills and they're coming along... sort of! :) Mostly, I have lots of creative ideas bouncing around in my head so when I do get a moment of spare time, I get to work on one of those!

Movies?

I'm up for just about anything! My husband and I do try to do the date night thing on a regular basis and enjoy the movies. We recently saw the Hangover 2 and I'm not afraid to admit how stupidly hilarious it was! Haha, fun! :) The last Harry Potter is due out soon and I'm pretty excited about that as well! The Green Lantern is also on our list this summer. Get ready to laugh. No, I'm not a 13 year old girl and yes, I adore Twilight! I can't wait until November!! :) As far as all time favorites, the list could go on and on!

When did you start up your business?

I got things up and running about a year ago. I've been a crocheter for years and years, but was busy being young, then getting married and starting a family. My boys were born 12 months and 9 days apart so I was very busy being pregnant for a few years! :) I enjoyed creating new things so much, I was inspired to start up Tri-Bec Creations!

Is there anything in particular that sticks out in your mind about starting up your business?

There is definitely a lot to running a business like mine! You always hear people say how they put blood, sweat, and tears into their businesses and how it's their baby. That's not far from the truth! You put so much time and energy into making something just how you want it that it does turn into your baby! You watch it grow and go through ups and downs, but you're there with it every step of the way. That's definitely one of the reasons it's so rewarding to have something that you made from scratch rather than just a job you go to every day working for someone else.

Time management. How do you do it? Is it a struggle? Recommendations?

Oh my... where to start? It's definitely a struggle! I adore my business, that's for sure! But... I have a family and a home that I adore even more. So, what to do? Well, I start with keeping the work to a minimum while my kids are awake. I do answer e-mails and keep up with facebook periodically during the day. I work when my kids go to sleep, but still have a hubby to attend to! So I tend to work while we keep a conversation and a few nights a week I totally take off to hang with him. There are even nights when he'll help me pack up orders or ask me questions about what I've been up to with business lately. He definitely takes an interest in what I'm doing and that helps so much. It seems to work pretty well so far!

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate. I can't believe that's even a question. Actually... good food in general. A great meal followed by a great dessert is just about a perfect evening!

If you had any advice for other women in business what would it be?

Just keep going and believe in yourself! You have to know that you are talented and that you are going to have good times and bad times in business. Some days you're going to put out something that everyone will love and you're going to feel great about it. Then you'll have days that you don't get quite the reaction you were looking for or maybe you spend $90 on yarn only to realize you're not crazy about it (oh yes she did!). I've just learned to keep my head high and as long as I'm proud of what I'm doing and I think it's my very best, I'm happy.

Thank you so much Lisa for taking the time to be on my blog! I LOVE your work!!

The Marquis Family

I cannot believe that Miss "K" is 3! Wow 2 years flew by!! Miss "K" and her momma and daddy were one of my first clients 2 years ago and I love that I still have the pleasure of photographing there family. Miss "K"'s adorable brother Mr. "C" is 4.5 months old already!! We had a lot of fun today, swinging on swings, a mini tea party, t-ball, and even a little bike riding! Mr. "C" wasn't too excited about having his pictures taken today. He was focusing more on the fact that he is starting to get a top tooth! Ouchie!! Enjoy a peek at our fun!

xox
Sharon

Renea Magnani {Women in Business Series}

Renea Magnani
Renea The Resource Gal

A little bit about myself:
My name is Renea Magnani and I am a Sonoma, California native. My family has deep roots here in this great community. That said, my husband and I are happy to be raising our two daughters, ages 5 and 8 here, too! Having been born and raised here, I am often approached by people asking for referrals on where to go, what to do and who to call so I started "Renea The Resource Gal!". It's my way of connecting people to our community. From this I have taken on some new small projects in Marketing, Accounting and more. I am really enjoying it. My facebook page is something I enjoy as I get to interact with people in Sonoma and afar, sharing information about anything and everything!

What do you most enjoy doing?
Time with my family is what I most treasure. We enjoy going to the beach or camping in the Summer, the Sonoma County Coast offers so many wonderful spots for this! In the winter, we head to Tahoe for snow time with friends in that area. Both my husband and I are community volunteers and work to support local sports, education and events such as The American Cancer Socities Relay For Life, which I have been the past event chair and am presently the Sponsorship Chair. Our girls are with us at many volunteer events, they have great empathy for others and will surely follow in our paths as community helpers! We also host Exchange Students in the summer, this is our second year. The world is a great place and we are all learning from eachother in this experience. Hopefully my children will grow to become young adults who wish to travel and explore. Something my hubby and I haven't done much but will, you know, when college and weddings are done and paid off...someday.

Favorite books? movies? artists?
I adore Dr. Suess! "Did I ever tell you how lucky you are?" is a wonderful book, as is "My many colored days". Those are not the typical Dr. Suess but surely are insights to the brilliance of that man! I am a teacher and love to share his wisdom with children. As for movies, The Little Mermaid remain's my favorite of all time. I can belt out some of those songs and make my kiddos smile, that's heaven! And for music, Bob Segar. I walked down the isle with my father to Roll Me Away.

How did you start your business?
For me, it developed over years. I am a teacher, took time off to have kiddos and will return to teaching after almost 5 years this fall. When my youngest was born, I took time and was trying to figure out what I could do that would allow me to be home with her yet still put food on the table. All moms and dads know this is the challenge at hand when kiddos come along. So I began networking. First through my local Mother's Club, which I became very active and served as a board member for two years. Then I just put myself out there; talking to whomever came my way and sort of became the go to gal in Sonoma for things of many natures. I love that people come to me to ask a variety of questions, pertaining to mechanics in town, schools for their children, where to get the best deal on something. I am so proud of my town and the people who live here so it's a perfect fit for me to take skills I have developed and those that come naturallly and help others.

What advice do you have for others?
Well, recently I said something like "It's all a matter of what matters most to you." I like that. Paired with "You can do so much more than you think you can!"; those two thoughts keep me going. Do what you love. Make something happen. It will all come together. Not always as quickly as you hope for but it does. Reach out to others that you admire. Go to them for support and guidance. Learn from the best.

Homemade or box mix?
Box mix! I have never made a homemade cake. I leave that to my best friends and sister-in-law.

9 Months! Wow - Such A Big Boy!!

I have been photographing Mr. L since he was in his momma's belly!!! I have enjoyed watching him grow and I can't believe that we just did his 9 month session!! He is SO adorable and has such a sweet smile! Enjoy a peek at our fun!

xox
Sharon

Winners of the Super Duper Fabulously Awesome Giveaway!!

Congrats to you all!! Please make sure to email me!! I do hope you all will continue to follow my work! I love reading all of your comments!

xox
Sharon


Prize Package 1
Kassandra Lee!!

Prize Package 2
Keila Pries Gonzalez

Prize Package 3
Amanda Miley

Prize Package 4
Amie Brady

Happy 60th Birthday

Jenn decided that an awesome gift to her mom would be pictures of her friends and family! They threw her mom a surprise party to celebrate her 60th birthday! I came about an hour and a half after the surprise (on purpose) and captured portraits of great friends and awesome family! Enjoy a peek at all of our fun! Jenn - Please tell your family that I had a wonderful time meeting them all! Happy Birthday to your beautiful mom!!

xox
Sharon