Meet Julie, owner and creator of My Rainbow Journal where she writes and designs journals and other products! She's all about positivity and dreaming big which I admire!
From her website:
"I created My Rainbow Journal so that kids could discover the joy of journaling. I want to help them develop a positive mindset that empowers them with tools to be their best every day. I want our kids to never stop dreaming big and have the confidence to pursue what brings them joy."
Keep reading to learn more!
1. What made you start your business?
After working in the Finance industry for 20 years, I realized that I was no longer finding any joy in my career. I knew deep down that I wanted to start my own business, but I was scared about losing the financial stability of my corporate job. I turned to journaling during this time to write down my big dreams and set goals. Doing this every morning helped me to stay focused and reconnect with my creativity.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, we had 2 young kids at home. Like many parents during these wild times, I began to reevaluate what was important to me and decided it was time for a big change. I finally quit my corporate job and decided to pursue my dreams.
I created My Rainbow Journal so that kids could discover the joy of journaling. I want to help them develop a positive mindset that empowers them with tools to be their best every day. I want people to never stop dreaming big and have the confidence to pursue what brings them joy. Since launching, we have added a line of stationery products and stickers that are meant to spread positivity to people of all ages and backgrounds.
2. What’s something you would like people to know about being a business owner?
It is the most completely consuming thing you will ever do. I mean this in terms of time, energy, emotions…everything! There is hardly a minute that goes by where I am not thinking about my business in some way, whether it is struggling over a challenge or thinking of new exciting projects and ideas.
This is so different from how I felt working at someone else’s large company. Once I was done with my work for the day, I would move on to my personal life. When you own a business, it really does become your life. This is absolutely exhilarating but can also be exhausting if you don’t take the time to take care of yourself.
3. Tell us about a typical day in your life as a business owner.
On a typical day, I will get up around 5 am to enjoy some quiet time. This includes coffee, journaling, and getting some work done before the kids wake up. This is a challenge when your kids love to wake up early!
Once they are up, I’m on mom mode for the next few hours until the kids go to school. Then it is time for work! Every day has been completely different for me in terms of work, but it is usually a combination of creating products, content creation for social media, and listing products/taking product photos. One of the best parts of this job is the variety of work. I rarely feel bored with my work because there are so many things I can do. I also always fit in a workout while the kids are at school for a little bit of me time.
In the late afternoon I pick up the kids and then it’s the usual craziness of making dinner, bath time, etc. I then try to hang out with my husband for a little after the kids go to bed and like to have lights out by 9:30 pm (not a night owl).
4. What has been your biggest (business related) accomplishment?
Since I am a relatively new business (just launched in late October 2022), everything I do has felt like an accomplishment. Writing, illustrating, and launching my guided journal for kids has probably been the biggest accomplishment. It took me an entire year to do everything to get the journal ready for launch.
My next proudest accomplishment was launching my own website. I initially had no idea what I was doing and it was a ton of work doing it all on my own. I am very happy with how it all turned out, especially knowing how much effort I put into it. I truly believe anyone can accomplish what they want to with a lot of hard work, believing in yourself, and determination!
5. What is your favorite product you make/sell?
Aside from the guided journal for kids, my favorite product to make and sell is stickers! I love spreading messages of inspiration and positivity through the fun of stickers. I enjoy the entire process from designing to printing and cutting them myself. I personally have always loved stickers and they still make me smile whenever I see them. I love that stickers are such an affordable and easy way to personalize items and can be enjoyed by kids and adults.
Thanks so much, Julie! Shop her website here and instagram here!
Shop her products on autumn and june!
https://autumnjuneboutique.com/search?q=my+rainbow+journal&options%5Bprefix%5D=last