We are excited to tell you a little more about the beautiful Ashlee Allen. Since she was unable to podcast with us a few weeks ago, we sent her a couple of questions. Here’s a little info about the Nest mama:
MTW: What inspired you to start nest?
Ashlee: I had always planned to wear my baby but when Xavier was born unexpectedly at 28 weeks I knew babywearing and kangaroo care would be critical. Through our journey I discovered that while there were many carriers I adored, I couldn’t find *the one*, so I made it! Nest as a business evolved from there.
MTW: What did you do before you became a “mompreneur”? How did you get started?
Ashlee: I’ve dabbled in many carrers other than mom - photography, psychology, advertising, yoga instructor, nanny and of course mama. After making slings for many friends and people I’d run into all over the place I realized my life would be easier if I had a place to send people. So after much research, I started designing and thanks to my sewing and my husband’s design skills nest was hatched.
MTW: Without giving away any of your “secrets”, where/how do you find the items for your store?
Ashlee: I lauch new collections in the spring and fall and am always on the look out new styles and fabric. One of my favorite things to do is scout out random fabric shops in person and online and I, of course, pay attention to the current fashion scene for inspiration.
MTW: What are some of your favorite items?
Ashlee: Our limited edition slings are always my favorite, the Heart Nouveau being my current favorite. The hatchlings are super cute and we actually have some items in production that I can’t wait to launch- I’m in love! ***I am too! This is why we’re waiting to tell you about E$’s Sling!!!***
MTW: Tell us more about Project X.
Ashlee: Project X provides person to person support to NICU familes. As I mentioned before our son Xavier was born at 28 weeks and spent 6 weeks in NICU. It was a really terrifying time for us and the biggest help was talking to other people who had been there. We do a lot of one on one work, but our biggest event is Project Christmas, provinding a traditional Christmas dinner to all of the local NICU’s. We spent Xavier’s first Christmas in the hospital and having just a hint of normalcy would have made all the difference. Since our first year in 2006 we’ve had several sister programs launch in cities nationwide. 10% off all nest profits are donated directly to Project X.
MTW: Tell us a bit about you and your family!
Ashlee: I get to spend my days with my amazing 2 (going on 17) year old X and my super cool, artist husband David. When David’s not tattooing, I’m not sewing or blogging and X isn’t napping you’ll likely find us up to our eyebrows in paint or building some killer lego cities.
See what else Ashlee’s up to here, here, here, and here.
Laura on October 15th, 2008
We are sad to announce that Fooey USA will be closing it’s virtual doors. However, they are having a closeout sale that you won’t want to miss! It’s all rad stuff, and it’s super cheap! My mom got these shorts for Noel & Lennon (they won’t fit Noel next summer) for $8.99! They are SOOOOO CUTE. Fooey’s also got the best collection of shirts for kids and infants. Some are as low as $3.99, people, but they won’t last! Get over there, and say goodbye to one of the best stores out there. Fooey, we are sorry to see you go!
On a sunnier note, Ashlee has come up with a new name for her store! Nonny & Boo, formerly Nest Baby Sling, now offers even more great items, like wraps (that are the coolest EVER), hoodies, and plushies! As usual, Ashlee’s wares are quite simply the coolest! Pictured here, are Steph and Ivy in nonny & boo’s bamboo sling. We have this sling, and Elliott and I share it. We love it. The fabric is light, but very strong, and it works well going out in the Texas heat. We just heart the lady over at nonny & boo, and you will too.
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