I’ve always wanted to own my own business. When I was a little girl, I would play “store” and “office”. My mom found a letter I had written to myself in 8th grade; I carry it with me in my planner. I said I was going to go to college (check), major in marketing (nope), get my bachelor’s degree (check) and then own my own business (check). I didn’t major in marketing; I majored in Textile & Apparel Studies with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising. Right out of college, there was discussion about me starting my own clothing boutique, but instead I helped to open and operate my families fabric store for a number of years before venturing off into the corporate work briefly.
Fast forward a few years (ok, 18 years) and I finally own my own business. It started as a hobby, while my husband was working third shift and I was working a corporate job in the financial industry (a far cry from retail, to be sure). A somewhat unexpected departure from said corporate job found me taking an opportunity back at the family business and open time in my schedule to grow Josephine + Mim. On November 1, 2015, Josephine + Mim officially opened for business when I launched my Etsy shop (I still have my Etsy shop, you can visit it here). I participated in pop-up markets across Michigan and dabbled in consigning my handmade and carefully selected vintage goods in local West Michigan stores.
Below is a photo of the very first booth I had ever had at a Pop-Up Market.
Currently (October 2020), I’ve launched my own shop-able website where I also sell my handmade and vintage items (shop here), but this opportunity will allow me to also incorporate new goods from quality companies and makers.
Contrary to what is taught to us in retail, you’ll only find goods that I love and would personally have in my own home. My mission is to help you create a cozy, comfy home environment. Where the physical items are things you love; collected over time, new and old, but in the end they become part of your story.
I’d like to invite you to subscribe to our e-mail mailing list. If you’re like me, you are quite protective of you email, so as my thanks you’ll immediately receive a coupon for 15% your order (use it in the Etsy shop or our webstore). I promise I will never sell your information and I won’t bombard you with multiple emails per day (only 1-2 times a week).
You can also find me online on Facebook, Instagram and occasionally, Pinterest.
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