Women In Business: Frou Frou and Frill

Are you tired of building your accessory

stockpile and paying big bucks for each piece?

Frou Frou and Frill thought the same thing.

Founder and owner Jocelin

created Frou Frou and Frill

so that it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg

to accessorize with the trendiest pieces.

Read on below to find out 

what encouraged her to start her own business.

Just An Ordinary Family: What inspired you to start Frou Frou & Frill and how did it come to be?

Frou Frou & Frill: Frou Frou & Frill is an online women’s accessories boutique that sources the most dazzling, trendiest items at the most affordable prices. It’s a woman’s source to finding stylish “in” pieces that she’ll feel beautiful wearing while spending very little. Because of our affordable price point, customers can purchase several accessories to fit their ever-changing styles and moods. I’m the girl who loves to have a huge variety in my collection and one who always wants to have the trendiest, latest pieces of jewelry. I realized that while I love jewelry, it was foolish of me to spend upwards of $60 on one single accessory. Styles come and go so quickly that it becomes almost prohibitively expensive for most women to constantly keep up with the latest trends. I actually found myself wearing those expensive pieces only a few times before they were no longer ‘in’, and then I’d move on to the next round of trendy necklaces, bracelets and earrings. I needed to find a method to be fashionable in an economical way.  My passion drove me to provide a way for women to feel good about themselves wearing stylish, beautiful jewelry at affordable prices. My line of jewelry is affordable, ranging between $8-20, and we offer free shipping to the USA on all products.

JAOF: Where is the name Frou Frou and Frill from?

FFF: Frou Frou & Frill is about embellishing a woman’s everyday look with pretty accessories that she’ll feel beautiful and confident wearing. We thought the name Frou Frou & Frill was fitting to our purpose. It’s about having fun and not being too serious, so that’s why our logo has a whimsical feel to it. And as for the color hot pink, besides the fact that it’s our favorite color, it also stands for being passionate, playful and charming. Traits that we admire in a woman

JAOF: Where are you based out of, and how do you run your shop?

FFF: We are based out of the US and operate strictly online. Without a traditional storefront, we were able to save significant start-up costs, as well as ongoing costs associated with operating a physical store. We are able to pass on sizable savings to our customers, thereby offering lower prices for our accessories.

JAOF: As your own boss, how do you stay motivated and stay on track? 

FFF: I LOVE operating my own accessories company. I enjoy sourcing jewelry, holding it in my hands and admiring its design, inspecting it for quality, and packaging it for my customers. My customers also keep me motivated when they send me photos of themselves wearing Frou Frou & Frill jewelry, or email me kind, complimentary notes. It’s so much fun that it doesn't even feel like much work!

JAOF: What kinds of goals do you set for yourself and for your company?

FFF: We set goals to broaden and diversify our product line. For example, we just added handmade, sequin hangers and monogrammed decals to our product offerings and will soon be adding monogrammed koozies. In addition to accessories, we like other fun stuff and so do our customers! We also set monthly goals to increase our reach on Instagram and Facebook.

JAOF: Who inspires you in your work?

FFF: I draw inspiration from everywhere, really. But nature, new places, boutique owners, fellow entrepreneurs, bloggers and stylists are my main sources of inspiration.

JAOF: Where did you work before Frou Frou and Frill?

FFF: I’m currently a full-time copywriter in addition to owning and operating Frou Frou & Frill.

JAOF: How do you balance home life and work life?

FFF: I wish I had a secret formula to this, but I don’t. All I can say is that when I’m at work, my focus is on work. When I’m at home, I try to forget about work, which isn't always easy. I allow myself the leeway to make exceptions when necessary.  

As a thank you to my readers,

I would like to give away two of her
  be still and know that I am GOD bracelets.

One for you, and one for a friend.

How to enter:

1) Like Just An Ordinary Family on Facebook and follow us on Instagram

2) Like Frou Frou and Frill and follow them on Instagram

3) Tag one friend per comment, and they can win a bracelet too!

Contest ends Wednesday May 20.

You can reach Frou Frou & Frill by:

email: sales@froufrouandfrill.com

Facebook: Frou Frou & Frill

Instagram: @froufrouandfrill

Pinterest: @froufroufrill

Women In Business: Simply Mel & Co

{photo courtesy of Simply Mel & Co's etsy page}


Today we are featuring an Etsy shop 

on Women In Business.

Simply Mel & Co sells great

accessories for the woman and little woman in your life.

She has some great pieces so that Mama and her little princess can coordinate,

or simply make a statement alone.

A couple of months back I ordered some

stand out pieces for my girls and a pair of earrings for myself.

Simply Mel & Co was also gracious enough 

to answer some questions for me about starting up her own business.

The pieces arrived and I was so pleased.

Not only was it packaged so pretty

(I really am a sucker for great packaging!)

but she included a sweet card and an extra pair of earrings!

Thanks Simply Mel & Co! 

{photo courtesy of Simply Mel & Co's Facebook page}

It is hard to pick a favourite,

but I do absolutely love Buffalo plaid and the headband fit both my girls,

so I think it won first place.

It it is so adorable on them!

My darling eldest daughter 

has questionable clothing taste these days.

She often pairs her Adidas track pants with 

a floral blouse and a tiara.

Or her oversized Thompson Rivers hoodie with a floofy skirt

and rubber boots.

She's three, I am sure you get the picture.

I was so thankful when she was willing to 

work her new plaid scarf into the mix! 

She loves it.

and so do I.

 {Cardigan by Wheat Canada and t shirt by SHE IS Clothing }

The earrings are so sweet. I have worn them often

and they don't hurt my ears.

Each time I wear them someone asks me where I got them,

and I happily tell them Simply Mel & Co.

Supporting small businesses is important to me.

I try to buy local and support small businesses whenever I can.

I love that Mel is a stay at home mom and works from her home in Kamloops.

She communicates well, puts her family first and I love that about her. 

Here is a little Q and A with Simply Mel & Co!

Just An Ordinary Family: Did you work before Simply Mel & Co?

Simply Mel & Co: I worked for my mom's company Tracycakes. 

JAOF: What lead you to start Simply Mel & Co?

SMC: I am a major busy body and since I have becoming a SAHM [stay at home mom] I know I needed something to keep me occupied during naps and early bedtimes. Life slows down a lot when you have kids and having this business gives me something to do other than being mom. I love creating and crafting items so I thought I would open a Etsy shop and give it a shot! Having my own business allows me to stay home with my girl. Both my parents own businesses so I've always had a entrepreneurial mindset.

JAOF: Who or what inspires you in your work? 

SMC: I'm inspired by trends, seasons, and making women feel a little extra pretty when they wear something I've created.

JAOF: What is it about Simply Mel & Co that makes you get up in the morning and do it all again?

SMC: Being creative has always been something I've been passionate about.

JAOF: What advice would you give to other women who are hesitant in making that leap to being their own boss and following their passion?

SMC: Just give it a shot! You never will know where your dreams will take you unless you try. My mom is a big inspiration to me. 

JAOF: How do you find working from home?

SMC: Working from home is great during naps and bedtime! Other than that it's a bit of a gong show. It's hard to craft or sew with a busy toddler running around and climbing on you.

JAOF: Balancing being a mom, wife and a job can be tough. What's your secret?

SMC: I take on more than I can handle. If I have too many orders I close my shop so I can catch up. I always put my family first!

JAOF: What would be your top 3 tips about growing a business?

SMC: Make sure to market your product through social media and be consistent and engaging with your followers. Stay passionate and true to yourself.

Thanks so much Mel for sharing with us!

We love your products and we wish you well in your future endeavours!

To purchase Simply Mel & Co visit the Etsy page here.

You can also follow her on Facebook and Pinterest.

All photos are property of Just An Ordinary Family.
Please do not use without permission from JAOF first.