fbpx

Blog

WOMAN’S WORK: FRESHLY PICKED

June 20, 2013

 photo susan6_zps2c290ea7.jpg

Learning from the experiences of others is invaluable. Heartfelt, sincere advice from someone who has done what you want to do and is willing to share what they’ve learned is like striking gold. As a professional woman in a (very) cutthroat industry, I have always felt that there is far too much competition and not enough support of other women and their goals and accomplishments– especially among working mothers. Some women are too concerned about reaching the top or judging the choices of others that they can’t see the value in celebrating the success of other women, and paying it forward to someone else trying to get their start.

That is why I am so very excited about a series I’m kicking off today involving creative, hard-working, innovative, talented women who daily battle the balance between mommy-hood and the working world, and are not only making it work, they’re thriving. If you’ve ever wanted to have it all but weren’t sure it was possible, these interviews will inspire you to go after your dreams. The first working mother I’m featuring in WOMAN’S WORK is someone who can wield wonders from some scraps of leather and has created a wildly popular children’s shoe line, all while raising two adorable children. I give you Susan Peterson of Freshly Picked.

 photo Susan8_zps4fb1bb3a.jpg

Susan grew up in Delta, Utah as the middle child of six children– four girls and two boys. She describes herself as the classic middle child. When she was 10, her family relocated to Pasco, Washington where she went to middle and high school. She left home at 18, moved to Portland, then Colorado, and eventually landed in Utah once again. She and her husband went to the same high school in Washington and became reacquainted when she moved back to the Beehive State. They fell in love snowboarding on the slopes and were married in August 2004.

After they were married, Susan started college, but didn’t finish. Her daughter, Hattie, was born in September 2006 and the following summer, she started selling various handmade items online. Soon after, she made her first pair of moccasins… and we all know how that has turned out. Here is how it happened.

Q) How did you know what you wanted to do professionally? Was it an accident, or was it your plan all along?
A) I always knew that I wanted to work from home and having children cemented that feeling. When I was looking for a career, I focused mainly on things that I would be able to do from home, which at the time wasn’t much. When I started Freshly Picked it was simply because a friend of mine had told me that she was going to make ‘stuff’ and sell it online. I thought to myself, for sure I can do that. So I taught myself how to sew and got started.

 photo susan7_zpsb32796f8.jpg

Q) Tell me about your road getting there? Bumps? Successes? That moment when you felt like you had finally made it?
A) I’ve never taken out a loan or gotten a line of credit for Freshly Picked. I would have to hustle the current wares that I had in stock to make money to buy supplies to make more wares. When I first started, I utilized my brother’s business. He installs windows and he has one very undesired job in his business, and that is ‘banging glass.” Essentially you take the old windows and bang out the glass so that you can recycle the aluminum that cases the windows. He had a large pile of old windows and I talked him into letting me bang glass and then keep the aluminum so that I could recycle it. I would take the money from the recycled aluminum and buy supplies for the next project. It was such a small thing for my brother and such a HUGE thing for me. I’ve never forgotten his generosity and I’ve tried really hard to pay that generosity forward.
The last couple of years have been surreal for me. I feel like I’ve been in the trenches for so long with our company and to experience the amount of success that we have over the past year has been incredible. I have to pinch myself to make sure that I’m not dreaming.

 photo susan5_zps1b8aac9c.jpg

Q) Tell me about your role as a working mother. How do you balance work and mommy hood? If you work from home, how do you get anything done?:)
A) The thing with work-life-balance is that it’s a myth. It’s a mystical place where Unicorns and Ligers live. For me it all comes down to a set of choices and priorities. We try to take it one day at a time, sometimes I go to bed at night and there are dirty dishes in the sink, piles of laundry to fold and emails have been left unanswered, and some days I get it all done. I think more important than balance, is being willing to give yourself a break. Work your arse off and then revel in your success and learn from your failures. Don’t worry if you can’t get ‘it all’ done, it all will keep and you can do it tomorrow. Most importantly, surround yourself with family and employees that support you and give that support right back.
 photo susan4_zpsd9104c38.jpg

 photo susan3_zps1c5e059b.jpg

Q) What is the best advice you’ve ever received or lesson you’ve learned?
A) Do what you do best and hire out the rest.
Q) What has been the secret to your success as a working woman and mother?
A) Conan says it best, “If you work hard and are kind, amazing things will happen.”

 photo susan1_zpsc3b24e84.jpg

Q) What advice do you have for other women wanting to pursue career ambitions, but also be mothers?
A) 1-You can do it, whatever it is you want to do! 2-Do it well, nothing can take the place of hard work. 3-Drave very clear boundaries between your personal life and your work life, especially if you work at home.
Q) How do you define success?
A) A happy family, a crossed off to-do list and money in the bank.

 photo Susan10_zps2ce27163.jpg

 photo Susan9_zpsb2290b0b.jpg

Seriously with that helmet? That sweet boy was showing us all of his fancy tricks:)

Susan is evidence that hard work and determination truly can pay off. I can think of my “glass banging” job– or two, or three. And for those of you drooling over those darling little leather shoes, you’re in luck– Susan is giving away two pairs of moccs (one each) to two separate withHEART readers!

To enter:

1) Visit Freshly Picked’s Shop and pick your favorite color (I want every single one!)

2) Leave a comment here telling me what your “glass banging” job was (or is). In other words, what is the grunt job you did to earn money to survive or make it happen?

Additional entries:

Follow me on Instagram

“Like” me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Giveaway closes Sunday night at Midnight. Winner announced Monday. Good Luck!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!  SEE RESULTS HERE***

Thank you so much to Susan. And thank you to Veronica Reeve who captured these beautiful photos!

I’ve got more amazing WOMAN’S WORK features coming up…. stay tuned

Jen Signature photo JenSignature_zpse63747c4.jpg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Kelly Smith says:

    I love this new series! When my son was one and my husband was in grad school, the amount of work I did was exhausting. I taught as a reading specialist for 50 hours a week and on top of that I was a community assistant for the university’s family graduate housing (which added on average 30 hours a week). And somehow we managed to not put my son in daycare. I honestly love all the moccasin colors, but gold would be my pick a the moment.

  2. I loved reading every word of this Jen! Susan is such an inspiration to me, she is amazing. Of course, I also adore her moccs! I have spent WAY too much time waitressing when all I wanted to be doing was designing. I’d love a walnut pair, I think Theo would look mighty handsome in them!

  3. Anne says:

    I guess babysitting was my “glass bang” job. I lived in an expensive city and it was a fun (exhausting) way to make a bit of spending money.

  4. Anne says:

    I follow you on Instagram.

  5. Anne says:

    I like you on Facebook.

  6. Jordan says:

    I would love the bubble gum pair, so cute!
    My first job was working at the chocolate store,
    Mrs cananaughs. I can’t say it was grunt work, hahha

  7. Jordan says:

    Follow you on Instgram!

  8. Tara F. says:

    I love the butterscotch and the walnut.
    Sweetinsahmnity at gmail

  9. Jordan says:

    Liked you on Facebook!

  10. Tara F. says:

    I guess working retail was my “glass banging” job.

    Sweetinsahmnity at gmail

  11. Sarah says:

    My glass banging job is coaching track & field to youth teams in my spare time! I am a first time mama to an 8 month old boy and LOVE to have extra money to spend on him. It gives me joy knowing I work so hard to give him the things he needs and sometimes wants! I would LOVE a pair of PLATINUMS!! Krew would rock the snot out of them! I follow you on Instagram and your blog but unfortunetly don’t “tweet” or Facebook! Thanks! (:

  12. Tara F. says:

    Follow on Instagram
    Sweetinsahmnity

  13. Tara F. says:

    Like you on FB
    Sweetinsahmnity at gmail
    Tara F

  14. Tara F. says:

    Follow on Twitter.
    Sweetinsahmnity

  15. Jenna H says:

    I love the bubblegum ones! Well I love them all actually! 🙂
    My grunt job was working at these old rental houses. Using my girl muscles, tearing up drywall – basically eating dust for 10 hours a day.
    So I could pay rent and eat ramen and afford to live! 🙂

  16. Jenna H says:

    I follow you on Instagram! I love reading your blog, Jen. It’s so dang inspiring!!!

  17. I love susan!! She is amazing and I really enjoyed hearing more about her path to success. My glass banging job was waitressing. When my husband and I were newly married I had to wait tables every day just to pay the bills. I cried every day the first week because I hated it so bad but it taught me to hustle, have a good attitude and develop a thick skin.

    I would love the moccasins in smoke!

  18. Courtnie Cotterell says:

    I used to paint house numbers on sidewalk curbs. Definitely a glass banging job out in the summer heat!

    I love the chrome mocs. So cute!

  19. Heather D. says:

    I am crushing on those adorable platinum moccasins for my little baby girl.

  20. Brittany Peterson says:

    This is awesome! I applaud hard working mothers!! These mocs are to die for! I’ve wanted some for Opal since she was in the womb 🙂 I love every color! I’d have to say my favorites are the platinum and copper. I had to put my education on hold while we moved to San Diego for my husband to go to school. While he was attending school I’d work 3 jobs. I like work so I actually enjoyed my jobs and even though sometimes it didn’t pay well I tried to make the best out of each and everyone of them. I worked at a hotels front desk for a few years while working at World Market at night. I also worked as a reservations agent at a hotel while I nannied (this one was fun) and assisted a photographer (still doing this and I love it). Amongst this I still go back to Utah 3 time a year to choreograph which is where my passion lies! So a lot of work but I learned a lot and have always been grateful that we made it through my husbands schooling! Excited to see who you have next on this series!!! I love learning how balance work and family and admire those who do it!! I’m learning since I will start teaching dance nightly in September and want to make it work and not miss a beat with my baby! Sorry for the novel comment 🙂

  21. Heather D. says:

    My “grunt job” was working at Village Cleaners…doing other people’s laundry…ugh!

  22. I’ve done a bit of everything from office work, to being a waitress, to a grocery store clerk, to a preschool teacher and now I’m a nanny who is trying to get a handmade business off the ground! I look up to so many awesome women who have paved the way and shown that it can be done if you want it badly enough! Susan is probably at the top of that list :] Keep on making those adorable moccs and I will definitely keep on buying them ;]

  23. I liked Jennifer on Facebook!

  24. I follow you on Instagram! And I forgot to mention that I’d love to win a pair of moccs in any color, but I especially love cobalt, copper, sapphire and smoke!

  25. Jessica says:

    I love the chrome color! My bagging out glass job is selling items on a yard sale page on fb. I love this article, so inspiring!!

  26. I follow Jennifer on Twitter!

  27. Jessica says:

    Liked you on fb

  28. Jessica says:

    Follow you on instagram

  29. maura says:

    I worked as a temp two days a week to pay for the gas to and from my unpaid internship the other days of the week. Super stressful summer but totally worth it in the end. I love the Saphire

  30. maura says:

    I follow u on instagram!

  31. Ashleigh Youngberg says:

    I love freshly picked mocs and would love a pair of cobalt suede for my son! My glass banging job was working retail for minimum wage while trying to support myself 100%.

  32. Ashleigh Youngberg says:

    I follow you on Instagram

  33. Ashleigh Youngberg says:

    Liked you on Facebook

  34. Alicia says:

    All the shoes are adorable but the color I love, platinum, is sold out! 🙁 I spent anywhere from 20 to 40+ hours a week working at a teen clothing store at the mall to get through college- needless to say I was much closer in age to the managers than the other employees, but money is money! It ties with my other summer job during college, managing the grounds for a garden center (which is a fancy way of saying weeding, mowing, trimming, watering, and planting in 85+ degree weather). Oh, and I liked you on FB!

  35. Sara Philip says:

    I love them all! but if I had to choose I would say the cobalt suede and the grape suede oh and the chrome!
    I follow you on instagram 🙂
    My glass banging job.. I would say my days at victoria’s secret. I worked the holiday season to pay for my holidays 🙂

  36. cristin says:

    Great post, what a refreshing, inspirational lady! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

  37. Mrowland says:

    Following you on Instagram! Loved this story what an inspiring woman. This is a good job to balance family & a career. My grunt job was working for an all girls gardening company-hard work! we focused mostly on beds, planting flowers & trees, and the seasonal clean-up. Long hard days outside getting quite dirty!
    The moccasins are to die for! I’d love the red or silver for my little gal! Keep up the good work Jen!

  38. My awesome job was flipping burgers at the food court my freshman year in college! I can look back and laugh, but I also recognize that I did what I had to do to earn a living while going to school! (The outfit was pretty crazy too.) but hey, you do what ya gotta do!
    -I’ve never owned a pair of freshly picked mocc’s, but not cause I didn’t want to! I would die for a butterscotch pair for my little boy coming in a few months! Thanks for a fun giveaway!!

  39. Kaila says:

    My Glass banging Job is the one I am in right now! I am an assistant to marketing and leasing for a mall in our home town! This story is so inspiring and I hope to one day be as successful in my own endeavors! We would love the green, or turquoise! We also follow you on instagram!

  40. I liked on Facebook!

  41. I followed on Instagram!

  42. andrea p says:

    I love love love Freshly Picked moccs! I can’t decide between the gold and the copper!
    My grunt job was working at a shall-not-be-named fast food place… long hours, standing the whole time, hot temps, you name it!

  43. andrea p says:

    I follow you on Instagram, user name abgpalmer 🙂

  44. Alyse Cox says:

    My “glass banging” job is a being a teachers aide. Although inloce working with kids, always rewarding. In LOVE with the platinum or the bubble gum moccs!!! Susan is truly a genius!!!

  45. andrea p says:

    I “like” you on Facebook!

  46. Alyse Cox says:

    That should say ” I love” working with kids…

  47. Tanya says:

    I’m a full time stay at home mommy but before we were blessed with our bundle of feisty joy, named Lucy, I was a personal shopper at a high end retailer we are all very familiar with. I worked my buns off and achieved great milestones with the wonderful company but it doesn’t come close to comparing to the job of motherhood! I love your story Susan @freahlypicked and your moccs are to die for! I drool everytime I see a pair!!! You are such an inspiration and WithHeart, thank you for posting this success story!

  48. Erin b. says:

    I worked retail for many years to get myself through school. A lot of time spent on my feet and being nice to some very rude people, but at least I had lots of nice clothes! I love all the colours, but I think my favorite is the walnut!

  49. Jason Dunnigan says:

    Well I’m officially obsessed with you know! Great article and past articles. I’m also obsessed with freshly picked and love hearing her story and how she did it. I do personal shopping, styling, and closet organizing, but it had taken time to get it going. Especially being a guy. So I’ve done lots of manual labor jobs that just paid cash on the spot so I had enough to pay the bills. Now I do marketing and still trying to get more clients. But I now love what I do and could t be happier.

    So if I were to win if LOVE the gold OR copper OR both!!! We’re expecting our first boy and believe me I have been getting all the great colors of moccasins.

  50. Karina Koska says:

    I guess my “glass banging” job for so many different situations has been being a translator, when we just got married I used to translate and organize and hire translators at the border. I actually love it, but its a lot of work. My favorite freshly picked color is grass suede. I’m an expectant mum right now and would love a pair for the baby on his way. I already have one and couldn’t get him a pair when he was little but i love them!

  51. Melanie B says:

    Love the Cobalt suede moccs!!! I worked as a……. Telemarketer!! So embarrassing, I was totally that annoying person that called you at dinner. Oh man…. The things we do to make a buck!

  52. Ana says:

    I love all of the freshly picked moccasins but my favorite are the butterscotch. They would look so cute on little feet!
    My grunt job at the moment is selling whatever my husband and I can live without on e-bay and craigslist! I am willing to sell our old clothes to any house hold item that is just taking up space. Good thing I am a minimalist!

  53. Melanie B says:

    Follow on Instagram.

  54. Mandie says:

    Oh, I love them all, but saphire is beautiful!!

    I worked at dipppin’ dotsas a teenager and goodness, now that I think about it, it was a sortof ridiculous set up- I don’t think I was even olf enough legally to work!

  55. Mandie says:

    I’m following you on twitter now, too!!

  56. Lacey says:

    I appreciate this series! And Susan is true inspiration! I would have liked to see more in-depth questions here though. The info shared in this post is not much different than what she has already shared on her own blog. I think many readers would have appreciated more specifics. I think more specific questions could have helped a great deal. I would loved to learn HOW she separates her work life and personal life. What in her day-to-day process keeps her organized? Does she have childcare? Or do they play nearby while she’s working? A great post and a relevant subject. From what I see on IG, Susan seems like a smart business woman who is also kind. What a combo! Thanks for sharing!

  57. Katie says:

    Susan’s success story is one of my all-time faves. So real. So humble. So inspiring.
    I’m pretty sure baby boy needs those Butterscotch or Platinum moccs…bad.

  58. cc says:

    I love the SAPPHIRE or GRAPE SUEDE moccs!

    My glass bang job was working at a 1 hour photo shop when I was in high school. I worked the front counter and even wiped down the glass caselines and front door/windows. It helped me save for a summer group trip!

    I follow you on Instagram and Twitter!

  59. Elizabeth s says:

    Love the chrome and weathered brown! Mmm, glass banging ….for us, since my only job is mommy and owner/artist of our little company, being SUPER frugal is my version. If we can live without it and it isn’t essential to our happiness, we do without to allow me to stay home, be mom and grow the biz. Not glamorous or fun (so it counts as glass banging, right?) but worth it!

  60. Elizabeth s says:

    Following on Instagram!

  61. Elizabeth s says:

    Following on twitter (@pltmarket)

  62. Kelsie Rae says:

    Gold and Cherry! Dying over all of them though!! My grunt job was working at a call center to pay for college. 8 hours a day on the phone was awful, but not going into debt for college was AWESOME!!!

  63. Kelsie Rae says:

    I’m following you on IG . @lovekelsierae

  64. Kelsie Rae says:

    I like your facebook page (Nate Kelsie Christensen)

  65. Kelsie Rae says:

    Following on Twitter (@lovekelsierae)

  66. Mary Britton says:

    I guess my glass banging job was waiting tables as a newlywed. It was at an outside restaurant in the heat of summer, seagulls would dive at trays of food. Terrible job, but it allowed us to chase our dream jobs.

    I’d love the smoke or walnut moccasins! Following you in Instagram and liked on Facebook. Awesome giveaway!

  67. Tara says:

    I so loved reading about the glass-banging opportunity, and the idea it was small for her brother and huge for Susan.
    Beautiful.

    Our glass-banging opportunity was probably buying our first house. We knew the builder and he finished 1/2 of it for us. (the main level) We saved every penny from my teaching job and finished the rest of the house ourselves. It took incredible amounts of time and effort. We finished just in time to sell that home for an unforseen job transfer. (we were so bummed thinking we missed out on enjoying the fruits of our labors! 🙂 We could have never predicted that the money earned from that endeavor would enable us to start our own business a few short years later.

    (i love them all! If I picked today, I’d choose copper!)

  68. Rachel Bowden says:

    My less than glamorous first job was working as a landscaper/house cleaner for a sweet woman whom was widowed some years previously. Over time we became friends and ended up spending movie nights together. I learned how important connection with the elderly are and how my friendship with her was so much more than the money I could have ever earned working for her. I love the bubbkegum and all things pink for my sweet baby girl. I follow you on Facebook Instagram and twitter. Thanks for featuring freshly picked moccs!!!

  69. karen w. says:

    thanks for the inspiration. love the chrome pair! i’d say my “glass-banging” job is tax accounting. i’m doing it to pay bills until i figure out what my passion is.

  70. Anelieze says:

    Before becoming completely freelance, I worked as an office manager at an insurance agency for six years, designing on the side. Now I can stay home with my little one and support my husband while he completes optometry school!

  71. Laura S. says:

    So inspiring! I have just learned how to sew and I love to make clothes for my son. My glass bang job is I help my husband with his construction business, in fact the other day I banged out a glass block window we were replacing! I love the moccs in Ebony since it basically goes with everything.

  72. Laura S. says:

    I followed you on Instagram !

  73. Corinna says:

    My glass banging job was lifeguarding every summer at the local waterpark…fishing toddler’s “accidents” out of the baby pool was the worst part of it :/ But, it got me through my undergrad!

    I LOVE Freshly Picked, and am dying to get the platinum moccs for my little girl!

  74. Amanda A. says:

    My “glass banging” job is being an accountant! It’s not what I love but it’s what I have to do for now in order to do what I love in the future. Sacrifice now for future success! I would love to have a pair of the bubble gum suede mocs! So cute for my best friend’s baby due August 21st!!

    I also followed you on IG, Twitter & FB 🙂

  75. Corinna says:

    I follow you on Instagram

  76. Laura S. says:

    I liked you on FB

  77. Corinna says:

    I like you on Facebook.

  78. Corinna says:

    I follow you on Twitter.

  79. Laura S. says:

    I followed you on Twitter : )

  80. Dana says:

    I love all of the colors! But if I had to choose one, I’d pick the copper ones 🙂 My grunt job was shooting weddings as an assistant.

  81. Nava says:

    mmm..all the colors are luscious! the Platinum or Grass Suede would rock.

  82. Nava says:

    I put heart and soul into nannying for a summer (free of charge) for a family that couldn’t afford it but the parents desperately needed to work. Unfortunately, I was treated rudely and came home crying each night. I got through it though and resolved to still offer my services free of charge but to interview much better so I could see if we were good fit. I have 2 wee ones of my own now, so I don’t nanny much, but I take the experience with me in all aspects of my life now.

  83. Nava says:

    I now follow you on twitter too! 🙂

  84. Jodi Brown says:

    When my son was young and my husband was earning his pHd, I tutored kids in the neighborhood since I was a former teacher before I had my son! I love the Walnut brown mocassins and I love your story!

    Jodi

  85. Jodi Brown says:

    I follow you on Instagram!

    @jodibrown

    Jodi

  86. Jodi Brown says:

    I follow you on Twitter!

    @jodibrown13

  87. Jenn says:

    My glass banging job is doing customer support for an online website. Definitely don’t enjoy it, but we need to pay off the student loans and it allows me to stay home with my children. I LOVE the new mint and lemon colors freshly picked will soon have.

  88. Jenn says:

    I follow you on instagram @nifferkimber

  89. Heidi J says:

    I’d love a pair of platinum moccs!

  90. Heidi J says:

    I worked at a Dip-n-Dots booth at fairs… yikes. Not a safe job for a highschool girl!

  91. Jenn says:

    I liked you on Facebook @jenn berthold kimber

  92. Jenn says:

    I follow you on twitter @jenkimber1

  93. Heidi J says:

    I follow you on Instagram!

  94. Sue McKnight says:

    My “glass banging” job was donating plasma when I was in collage. It helped me get by and studying nursing, it was kinda cool. Now I have a tiny depression in my elbow pit from all the giant needle pricks. My Savannah would look adorable in the Cherry pair.

  95. Heidi J says:

    I “liked” you on facebook!

  96. Hayley Elliott says:

    I love the turquoise and weathered brown moccasins! My “glass banging” job was working at Papa Johns. I worked there while going to college full time and taking care of my oldest son, who was only 2 at the time. Following and liked on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 🙂

  97. Heidi J says:

    I follow you on Twitter! @yummysunshine

  98. Sue McKnight says:

    Followed you on Instagram.

  99. Sue McKnight says:

    Followed you on Twitter.

  100. Ooooh I’m going to love this series!! I feel the exact same way! WAHMs don’t seem to want to support other WAHMs and it blows my mind. We’re all in this together! I always try to help others out because when you give, you not only feel good but you do good. And there needs to be more good in this world. Anyways, my “glass banging” job used to be my job in banking. I worked in banking for five years and didn’t really like it. It helped push me to be more creative and start my own business. Now I sell leggings and blankets (with bedding and paintings coming soon) and I love it! I have three kids under two and a half, so it gets a little crazy around here, but I wouldn’t change a thing!

    My twins are wearing out their moccs and could definitely use another pair! I vote for gold 🙂

  101. Anonymous says:

    I love this! Blogs are so rad and going by the wayside thanks to IG. I love the sand suede mocs. I grew up on a Fran nuking cows, while also working as a Cna in a nursing home. Life has changed for the definite better, but I wouldn’t give back any of those life lessons!

  102. Sue McKnight says:

    Liked you on Facebook. Oops…wrote collage instead of college. hahaha

  103. Jenna Woolf says:

    I love this post. Blogs are rad and I hate what IG has done to them. I love the sand suede mocs. My glass blowing job was milking cows while also working as a Cna in a nursing home. Thankfully times have changed but I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.

  104. Jenna Woolf says:

    Now following you on Instagram!

  105. Nikki Bean says:

    I adore her platinum moccasins, silver a close second, and I’m dying for her to release some mint ones 🙂

  106. Nikki Bean says:

    I don’t yet have a glass banging job. Looking for one for sure. I guess donating plasma has provided some extra for my husband and I. In the beginning it was a little humbling, but an extra $60 a week for sitting there for a few hours, I can handle.

  107. Jen V. says:

    Susan’s story is so inspirational! I think every mom is trying to figure out how to balance work and life (whether they work inside the home or out), and it seems that Susan has done it so well. She is successfully running and growing her business while growing those beautiful children!
    If I’m being honest, I’d have to say that all of my jobs (current position excepted) have been “glass banging” jobs. My husband has been is school for the last nine years (our entire marriage) and during that time, I’ve worked to support us. Now that “us” includes our children. I’ve worked retail, worked in advertising, done marketing/pr, run programs in various nonprofits and worked as a fundraiser. During this time, really bad hours, really bad pay and terrible supervisors have made these jobs close to unbearable. But, when everyone is counting on you, it’s not easy to change course. I am grateful that I’ve finally found a place where I have the autonomy to be excellent and the flexibility to be a working mom who is better at balancing work and life. And, the end of my husband’s medical education is on the horizon.
    I would love the Cobalt Suede Moccs for our baby daughter – she’d look pretty cute in those little shoes.

  108. Eliza says:

    The cobalt are on my wish list for my little guy. I think I’m currently doing my glass banging. My baby is 10 months old and being self employed I don’t make a good maternity leave benefit (read: zero$$) and my husband’s good job isn’t enough to make ends meet plus pay off student loan debts. So when my babe was 4 months I bit the bullet and started working full-time hours again – the trick is to wake up three hours before he does (4:30/5 am), work until he wakes (8 am), then work during his first nap for two hours, then work during his second nap for another hour, then do another two hours after he falls asleep (around 7 pm). It’s important to me not to miss his awake time and to be with him, and thank goodness he’s such a good sleeper or I don’t know when I’d get any work done! I daydream of having enough time to night-dream, but I count my blessings that I can work from home and be with my loves when I want to.

    • Eliza says:

      I guess I should be specific – I transcribe medical reports (doctor records voice, i type what s/he says) – not the worst job, but definitely not what I dream of doing/having time for (sewing)!

  109. Nafisa says:

    My glass banging job is retail at a clothing store. Am a first time mommy from Somalia. I been following Susan success story for the past year and love love her. I wish I can win because it’s my son’s first birthday July 13 and a fresh pair of Freshly picked would be a great birthday gift. My favorite colors are Ivory and Smoke.

  110. Nafisa says:

    I followed you on Instagram @nafi_couture

  111. Nafisa says:

    Liked you on Facebook.
    @Nafisa Abdi Hurshe

  112. Amy says:

    Evening janitor at a dental clinic! Love the cherry moccs!

  113. Leila Garrett says:

    Following you on Instagram and FB:) I love this story. As a full-time working mom I often dream of what it would be like to be able to work from home. Susan is very insperational and shows me that it can be done! Now I gotta get creative:) My first “glassbanging” job would have to be when I was 15 years old…I ran up a $1000 phone bill calling those 1-900 teeny bopper phone lines (the one that spilled gossip about your favorite musician/movie star)….my mom flipped and of course told me I had to figure out how to pay for it. So, I resorted to selling Airhead candies at school. After only two weeks I was able to pay that phone bill and had 6 of my girlfriends working under me selling candy as well. It sort of became a full time business for me until the school caught wind and they threatened to expell me, ha!
    The Weathered brown or Butterscotch is my fave:)

  114. April maw says:

    I have been on LOVE with these shoes for years!!! My brand new baby would look good in the sapphire. And I work right now from home with a lil etsy shop called sweet ruby. I wish I was bigger than I am but four kids life is crazy and I’m doing my best to make a lil extra for fun things all while being a mom. It’s hard but fun when I make a sale. I feel like I’ve accomplished more than just washing dishes or changing diapers. I follow you on Instagram and Facebook! You are the cutest ever. And I have a ruby too! Hence the name of my business sweet ruby. I’d love to send you a blanket for her binky! Email me what you’d like and where to send it!

  115. Mindy Sauther says:

    I would love grass suede. The job I learned the most from was working for Mike the Muffin man the summer after my senior year of highschool. I had to work from 6am-2pm. After my shift I headed to the hospital to get my volunteer hours to apply to Occupational Therapy School.

  116. She is amazing! Your blog is also amazing, I truly enjoy reading it. I love every color, I would pick the red rock, but since it is sold out I would go with the copper.

  117. My grunt job was working as a janitor for the company Yesco. It wasn’t that fun cleaning the toilets. I am glad that part of my life is over, but it sure taught me a lot.

  118. I am following you on INSTA

  119. I liked you on facebook

  120. I am following you on twitter! Thanks again for the chance of a give away.

  121. Tabitha Pacheco says:

    My little one needs a metalic pair of moccs. I’m lucky enough to work from home teaching special education for a virtual school.

  122. Tabitha Pacheco says:

    I follow you on insta.

  123. Tabitha Pacheco says:

    Liked on fb

  124. Rebecca Laredo says:

    Such an inspiring story! It’s awesome to hear about one’s journey to success. When I got married my sophomore year of college, my “grunt job” was tutoring kids (1st-8th grade). Helping children out has always been a passion of mine since I was in elementary school. Along with tutoring, I was also busy being a full-time student taking 20 credits each semester, working part time at an after-school program, and trying to balance life at home being a new wife. As Susan put it, the work-life-balance is a myth, and There were days when I, too, didn’t get to cleaning/cooking! Hard work truly does pay off, though! I graduated summa cum laude with my bachelor’s degree in liberal studies to become an elementary teacher (although just having a baby a month ago has put that dream on hold…for now)!

    I’m following on Instagram, Facebook & twitter! (:

    And I’m in love with the smoke colored moccs! <3

  125. Rebecca Laredo says:

    Such an inspiring story! It’s awesome to hear about one’s journey to success. When I got married my sophomore year of college, my “grunt job” was tutoring kids (1st-8th grade). Helping children out has always been a passion of mine since I was in elementary school. Along with tutoring, I was also busy being a full-time student taking 20 credits each semester, working part time at an after-school program, and trying to balance life at home being a new wife. As Susan put it, the work-life-balance is a myth, and There were days when I, too, didn’t get to cleaning/cooking! Hard work truly does pay off, though! I graduated summa cum laude with my bachelor’s degree in liberal studies to become an elementary teacher (although just having a baby a month ago has put that dream on hold…for now)!

    I’m following on Instagram, Facebook & twitter! (:

    And I’m in love with the smoke colored moccs (if I HAD to pick a favorite). <3

  126. Meghan loveless says:

    I follow on Instagram

  127. Meghan loveless says:

    And I follow on Facebook ❤

    • Simone Darsana says:

      Well, I’d have to say I’ve had more than one “glass banging” job. Lol. But I would have to say the worst was cocktailing at an upscale hotel bar. The clientele was either privileges and acted so or totally duechey. I must say it was awful serving these types, but it payed the bills. I love the Freshly Picked moccs sooo much. Especially the Platinum, Ivory, and Butterscotch colors for my two girls. Thank you. I will also like your page on fb.

  128. Kathryn says:

    I would die for the silver mocs!!

    My glass banging job was carrying fence posts. Living in the middle of nowhere I could make extra money hauling fence posts from a truck to the fence line. I still think back on that and laugh, fingers crossed I don’t have to return to that job 🙂

  129. Kathryn says:

    Followed on instagram

  130. First of all I would die for any or all of these cute mocs. I think my little one would look so cute in the silver mocs. My glass banging job is happening now. I am currently babysitting kids at home so that we can make ends meet for me to be able to stay home with my littles. I really don’t mind it though. I LOVE being home with my kids and would do whatever it takes. Followed on instagram and liked Facebook.

  131. Stacey Miekstyn says:

    Waitress…& if you knew me you’d know a horrible one at that. Ha! Love love the green & the cobalt suede for my lil henry!

  132. Stacey Miekstyn says:

    Following on instagram

  133. Stacey Miekstyn says:

    Liked on fb!

  134. My grunt job was waitressing in college. Lots of 10% tips. 🙁 I love all of Susan’s amazing moccs… especially the platinum.

  135. I’m a FB follower.

  136. I’m an instagram follower. 🙂

  137. Van Nguyen says:

    My favorite color is chrome (but if it’s sold out) then grape suede.

    I work the assembly line during the summer during college. It was tediously.

  138. Jinii Boren says:

    I would love a pair of sand suede. My glass banging job would be working at a jewelry store in college. Ah I was bad at it!

  139. Jinii Boren says:

    I follow on Instagram.

  140. Jinii Boren says:

    My glass breaking job was working at a jewelry store in college. I had no idea what I was doing and the hours were horrible!

    I would love the sand suede.

  141. Kristy says:

    Love this story. When my husband was in law school, I worked as a retail manager. This meant we never saw each other. Our “working” hours were completely opposite. The worst part was not having a holiday off the entire time. Glad that’s over! I’m loving the cherry or weathered brown mocs.

  142. Melissa says:

    The chrome moccasins are adorable. I wish they came in my size 🙂

    And paid my way through college waitressing. It was fun at times, though very humbling others.

  143. Katie O says:

    I love the platinum or bubble gum suede!

    My grunt job was a “deck hand” at lagoon a beach when I was 15… Nothing like cleaning the filter at a water park (think hair, soggy bandages, etc.).

  144. Krystyna W. says:

    I love ALL the moccs! If I won, it would be a toss up between copper and weathered brown. So so cute!

  145. Krystyna W. says:

    Oh and my crappy job was waiting tables. Ugh! So glad that is over! I was a server for 5 years through college and it helped pay the bills but it also made me hate people haha!

  146. Krystyna W. says:

    I am following you on Instagram! @sewmelove

  147. Krystyna W. says:

    I liked you on Facebook!

  148. Krystyna W. says:

    I am following you on Twitter! @misspedia

  149. Van Nguyen says:

    I’m following you on IG @botanicurator

  150. Van Nguyen says:

    I’m following you on Twitter @BotaniCurator

  151. Van Nguyen says:

    I liked you on Facebook under Botanical Curator

  152. Jessica U. says:

    I would love the Grape Suede or the Butterscotch! Reception jobs, nanny jobs-to name a few!

  153. Jessica U. says:

    I follow you on Facebook!

  154. Jessica U. says:

    I follow you on Instagram.

  155. Kim says:

    I love the copper color. One summer I took chemistry and was a sandwich ‘artist’ to pay for the class. Fun, fun!

  156. Cass says:

    I worked the Fine Jewelry counter @ Sears in the summers during college…good times. 😉

  157. Cass says:

    PS The weathered brown are my fave – and I follow you on Instagram 🙂

  158. Cass says:

    And on Facebook!

  159. Libby K says:

    Those moccasins haunt my dreams. So gorgeous. The butterscotch or the sapphire!!!! TDF. I once had the awesome job of shilling hot dogs and nachos from a Coke trailer!! Classy.

  160. Libby K says:

    Following you on Instagram!

  161. Teisa says:

    Love the colbalt suede! I worked retail for Norstroms in Clinique to bring home the bacon while I was going to hair school. It was long hard hours but very worth it now! 🙂

  162. […]  Thank you, thank you to all who entered the Freshly Picked giveaway.  Didn’t you just love that Susan?  A breath of fresh air, I tell […]

  163. […] hope you are loving the WOMAN’S WORK series as much as I am.  Stay tuned for more features coming […]

back to top

@jenniferstagg

shop

We're a full-service design firm and home furnishings shop built around the philosophy that a well-designed home should be beautiful, personal, cohesive, and complete. We think home is the most important place on the planet and when you live in a home that is perfectly you, it changes your life. Don't believe us? Stick around. We're confident we'll change your mind.

hello there!

Follow Along

@jenniferstagg

Hey, let's be friends

Exclusive projects, discounts, and extra goodies all in your inbox. And don’t worry- your email is for our eyes only.

Let Us Show You Around

home

about

blog

contact

shop

Services

portfolio

careers

tutorials

guides

youtube

podcast

our home

PRESS

| privacy policy

| terms and conditions

copyright © 2023 stagg design | All rights reserved