Earlier in the year I was introduced to Jessica, founder of Wild Child Designs, as she reached out to me to connect and collaborate. We have chatted back and forth over the last few months allowing us the pleasure to get to know each other better. When I started my blog I wanted to focus on featuring small shops and sharing their joys, challenges and goals in business. As the blog (and my family) has grown the direction of the blog has changed a bit and the amount of small business features has lowered.
When Jessica contacted me those months ago it reminded me of why I started, the spark for features came back and I am so excited to continue this series as summer comes to a close and the school year begins. The past week I was already styling my Wild Child Designs toque as well as both of the girls as the weather had taken a change. I couldn’t resist getting us all matching ones as you likely already know, I am all about the twinning.
Photo: Julie Christine Photography
Now let’s dive in, meet Jessica and explore the adventure and life she has created since starting Wild Child Designs.
Q & A with Wild Child Designs
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself
Hi! I’m Jessica! Born and raised in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, I’m a mother to two amazing kids and wife to my husband, Jared. When I’m not busy with my kids or my business (which is not very often!), I love to head up to the lake, go for a walk, or relax with a glass of wine!
2. When was Wild Child Designs established?
While I was on maternity leave with my daughter in 2014, I started crocheting ear-warmers for her. Family and friends encouraged me to put myself out there and start selling them, I haven’t looked back since! My business has evolved and changed so much over the last two years and I really can’t believe how much it has grown and how far I’ve come!
Photo: Wild Child Designs
3. What inspired you to start your own business?
I think like a lot of moms, I had plans to stay home with my kids while they were young, but I wanted to find something that I could do for me, that could help contribute to my family, and give me a sense of accomplishment. I think that’s what drove me to take the step from it just being a hobby to trying to create a business.
4. What was the toughest obstacle to overcome when starting out?
I think it’s hard to get started in the handmade market because there can be a lot of competition, and you really have to find people that are willing to take a chance on your product as you don’t have the sales to back you when you are first starting out. I gave a lot of my items away to people just to get my product out there, and reached out to other small shops to see if they could help me to get established on social media.
Photo: Julie Christine Photography
5. What do you love the most about Wild Child Designs and running your own business?
The most fun for me is connecting with other shop owners, collaborating, and supporting handmade. It really is a community, and I’ve found some other amazing work-at-home moms that are so supportive and positive.
6. Out of all of you products which is an all time best seller?
It’s so hard to say as my shop has really evolved over the last couple of years. Last year I was making baby ear-warmers and headwraps all winter long! This year it’s all about the knit toques!
Photo: Wild Child Designs
7. What is your favorite product? and why.
My favorite are the faux fur pom toques. They are a lot of work, and about as handmade as it gets (I even make my faux fur pom poms myself!). But they always turn out so great, and are so fun to wear!
8. When you were ‘growing up’ what did you always say that you wanted to be? Did you ever think you were going to be an entrepreneur?
I always thought I would end up in a job that involved “helping people” in some shape or form. But as I got older and dipped my toes in a few different fields, I realized that what I really love to do is create. And I knew I always wanted to have kids and try to be a stay-at-home mom. So I guess my business kind of allows me to do both!
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9. When do you find the time to focus on your business?
Nap time and evenings mostly! Sometimes I spend my weekends powering through orders if need be. It’s busy but I love the feeling of a stack of completed orders! 
Photo: Julie Christine Photography
10. What is next for Wild Child Designs?
I really don’t know! I’m going to be finally showing up at a few markets this winter, which is new to me. I’m always brainstorming with my husband about expanding my business in other ways, so maybe you will see some new baby and kids stuff from me in the future!
11. If you had to give someone starting their own small business any word of advice what would it be?
I would say to take the time to connect and collaborate. My business would be nowhere near what it is today if I hadn’t taken the time to reach out to other small shops, photographers, bloggers, etc. Don’t underestimate the power of social media – almost all of my business is either through social media or word of mouth.
Follow Wild Child Designs SHOP | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST
Jessica thank you so much for sharing some of your story with us! Thanks to Jessica you all have a chance to win something from her shop, enter in the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win $75 to shop at Wild Child Designs.a Rafflecopter giveaway
Photo: Julie Christine Photography
Thanks so much for the chance to win an amazing prize from such an incredible shop!!! I loved learning a little more about Jessica and her shop. Something new I learned is that she is a stay-at-home mom. That is so inspiring to me to see other stay-at-home moms accomplishing so much during this stage of life!
Beautiful! Something I learned is that she started making these while mat leave and it has turned into a business since then 🙂
We love wild child designs and our many ( and we have lots ????) cowls and toques that we have for my little guy !!!!
I absolutely adore her toques! I ordered a set for my two kiddos and will be ordering again because they make amazing gifts! Beautiful quality and Jessica is a real sweet heart ????
We love Wild a Child Designs! Their toques are amazing!
Loved learning that a maternity leave project has evolved into a small business that allows her to be a SAHM.
Loved learning that a maternity leave project has evolved into a small business that allows her to be a SAHM.
So fun seeing you featured Jess!! I was just thinking the other day how when you started out you made T a headband and cowl. And to think of how far you’ve come. So incredible!
I love reading background history on other small shops. ❤️
I love that they have mommy/baby matching sets.
Amazing how she found time to work on her business! I’m usually just so tired at the end of the day
Such a great giveaway!! I love her hats!!!
Can’t wait to “twin” with my little guy this Fall/Winter!
those hats are so sweet!
Love these twinning toques! She is so talented.
Love the twinning toques! She is so talented.
I love the matching momma and baby toques!! Adorable.
i learned these beautiful items are made by a BC mom!
Currently pregnant with my second lil’ babe and I ADORE MATCHING. This is so darn cute and as someone who has thought of starting a small business very inspiring!
I love that this is a labour of love during the precious precious time that is nap time!
Love hearing how people just do what they enjoy and start a business from it.
I didn’t realize she had only been doing it for 2 years! I love that her business just started by doing something she loves! I adore her Pom toques!
I love love love both CW&JW and Wild Child Deaigns!
Heard of both from Sarah @ Isn’t she lovely hand made!
I love hearing th stories of how these shops come to be and how the little ones are an inspiration. ❤️
I have my eyes on some hand made goodies from Wild Child Designs and waiting for shop to open up ☺️
I didn’t realize she has only been doing this for 2 years! And that even the faux fur poms are handmade. Love her shop!
I learned that she makes the faux fur poms herself! Wow! I know those hats are a labour of love and Jessica does such beautiful work. I love following her on Instagram and seeing her success.
I wanted to enter your draw for the credit to your store….. Unfortunately I am not able to which disappoints me as I do not have Instagram to be able to follow you that way. So can not get any entry’s in the draw. Very sad and disappointed.
Hi Nicole, Please just type in the entry slot (I do not have Instagram) and then it will open up the other forms of entry. Thank you for sharing your concern. Good luck!
Everything on the site looks amazing and awesome and got quick reply from you with an issue for entering your contest. 🙂 Thanks
I learned and love that she started this on maternity leave. I wish I could do something like this Amd be as successful!
Thanks for sharing this store. I love supporting small shops and I love the matching hats!
Your little babe is so adorable!!! I love those pom pom hats and supporting small shops! Thanks for sharing!
Bought my first WCD in 2014 the day before my daughter was born! We didn’t know the gender but I had to have something cute on hand just Incase!
Can’t believe the Pom poms are handmade! Need a matching pair for sure!
Love this shop! Those Pom knit tuques!
these hats are so adorable! I have a son and a daughter and these would be so cute on them!
i love learning more about shop owners! and let me just say, these are absolutely precious photos of you and your babes!
Love those hats so much and what a great giveaway! The pictures with baby are absolutely adorable too!
Faux fur pom toques are my favorite too! I love reading about small business, especially mom-owned! I am working on my own small business plan and am glad I found such an insight full post.
Love how Jessica created her business doing something she enjoys.
What a cute shop! Thank you so much for sharing! I love working with small businesses too!
I have always loved these beanies!! First discovered them at Refresh market. It’s nice to learn more about the biz. You and the girls are looking adorable as usual, Codi! xo
Love these touques!!! I have been dying to get my hands on some! Fingers crossed!! 🙂
What a great article and your photos are beautiful too…highlights her beautiful toques which I love.
Love it!
I love the collaborative emphasis of Wild Child Design. It seems that wherever we find ourselves in life community is important. Also, Codi I so appreciate all these post partum photos you post and that you aren’t hiding a body that is slowly healing and returning to a new normal, it is a beautiful thing!
Thanks so much Rae, I have defiantly found it easier to accept the new normal the second time around.
Wonderful giveaway!! We absolutely love WildChild Designs and love your blog too!!
I did not know she made the faux fur Pom poms! I love these hats!!
Really enjoyed reading this article as I have 5 toques from her shop and am amazed at the quality and speed at which her orders are processed! I love that she’s found a way to fulfill her own career while being a stay at home mom!
I love that the interview is so genuine & I am so glad to learn that all items are handmade & from Canada 🙂 such a sweet collection, thanks for the feature!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this giveaway!! I am also from BC (around Nelson) but am currently living in Alberta! You are so inspiring and have created a wonderful business! I love that you make the faux fur Pom poms yourself! So impressive. Way to go mama!
Too cute!!! Those toques are so cute on the whole family!
What an inspiring post for fellows mommas ! Love that this was started on a maternity leave ! And great tips !!
We love our toques! Would love to get my girls another!
I love supporting local as much as possible. Needing at least 2 new toques for my kids this winter, so winning this would b perfect timing.
Absolutely love her work. Inspired by her creativity to find something that contributes to her house hold while still caring for her kids. Much respect!
Love the shop share. Can’t wait to get my hands on some of these beanies!
Love that she’s an entrepreneurial momma!
Love hearing how your business started! <3
The hats are beautiful and I can’t wait to get one next week for my toddler 🙂
Love that she always wanted to do something to help people!