Catching Up with Lindsay Banner of Banner Boutique, PLUS an amazing $150 giveaway!

Lindsay Banner isn't just the designer behind the most beautiful headbands on Etsy - she is one of the nicest people we have ever worked with and just truly, amazing. Down-to-earth, so sweet, and a busy momma of 3 - Lindsay somehow finds time to run her biz, Banner Boutique. Banner Boutique is our go-to place for those oh-so-chic headbands for our Littles. We absolutely LOVE and are kind of obsessed (okay, we are obsessed!) with Banner Boutique.

{1} Since we last chatted with you, what is new with Banner Boutique? 

Since we last chatted, I think we have more than doubled our staff...and I have somehow been able to balance my life a bit better because of it! We now have an operations manager who over sees everything! Amy handles customer service and the processing of all orders, coordinating all of our employees who makes each piece and most importantly has allowed me to go back to being a mom first and business owner second! She is detail oriented and loves to make each of our customers beyond thrilled with their experience at Banner Boutique!

{2} Do you currently have a favorite item in the shop? Best-seller? 

Hmmmm....you know that's like asking me to pick a favorite child!! ;) One of our new best sellers (because it's such a screamin deal) is the shabby chic rose headbands. I am LOVing the America and the Gigi as well!! ;) We made the Gigi along with several other headbands for Kim's (TomKat Studio) daughter's 4th birthday party! These have been fun!

{Banner Boutique featured on The TomKat Studio}

{3} What is the best part of having your own business?

The best part...if I'm being totally honest...the tax write off and Jeni!! Jeni is my go to girl! She is my second set of hands, and every week, she comes to my house between 3-5 times a week and helps me from 8:30 am to 11:30 am with whatever I need help with...whether I need help getting the dishes loaded into the dishwasher, help getting the house just picked up and back on track, help with organizing the garage, help with a big project for Banner Boutique...you name it, she can do it!! Having Jeni help to make up the difference for the things I sometimes fall behind on due to having a business is what allows me to still be the mom that I want to be. She is what allows me to not have to have child care for my kids because she helps to keep me caught up in life. I generally will work alongside her...we tag team the house and get it done 4 times as fast because you all know how much easier it is to tackle projects when you have someone to work alongside you!! ;)

{we LOVE this super cute bright headband for Spring!}

{4} What tips do you have for other Etsy sellers to really take-off and make their biz grow?

Make sure you have a product that stands apart from the others, make sure you have GREAT pictures, make sure you are charging enough to actually cover your costs, your time away from family etc. to truly make it worth it.

{cupcakeMAG fave: The Audrey Vintage Raw Silk Headband}

{5} As a mom, what advice do you have for others in your position - running not just a business but a family?

Something I quickly learned the hard way...do not try and work while your kids are awake or around. I truly don't even try to work unless my kids are either at school, napping, or sleeping. It is far easier for me to be 10 times as productive if I set a certain schedule for myself around my kids' schedules instead of trying to work while they are around. The last thing you want is for your kids to grow up thinking your business is the priority and not them. It would break my heart to think my kids would ever think they are not first priority in my life.

{6} What are some of your favorite blogs to read or sites?

To be truly honest, I really don't get to read too many blogs/sites etc. I have to be so focused when I sit down to work that it doesn't allow for too much "surfing"...however, if it's the weekend and I do get a few golden moments to surf I love Pioneer Woman, TomKat of course, cupcakeMAG ever since we were fist featured and "found each other", Save the Date for Cupcakes and anything Martha Stewart!

{from The Vienna Collection -- LOVE!}

{7} When you aren't working hours making beautiful hair accessories, what can we find you doing? 

I can typically be found at Target, in my car running LOTS of errands, or at home...that's pretty much me!! ;)

{8} What is up next for Banner Boutique? 

We are working on some BIG changes around here!! I pray they don't take too long...but we have all kinds of fun things in store...a new website will debut them all...in the not too distant future!! Stay tuned for sure!!! ;)

Get your shop on at Banner Boutique and make sure you enter the giveaway below! Make sure you "LIKE" Banner Boutique on Facebook too -- they offer great sales on their Facebook page and check out the Banner Boutique blog!

Read on to enter an AMAZING giveaway from Banner Boutique!

{THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. WINNER WAS EMAILED & ANNOUNCED VIA TWITTER.}

Giveaway: $150 Value Gift Basket from Banner Boutique

Tell us why you just MUST win this lovely gift basket from Banner Boutique. This comment is mandatory. You also MUST be a follower of cupcakeMAG and cupcakeMAG for Littles. 

For extra entries you can do the following below and leave us a separate comment for each letting us know. The more you comment the better chance you have to win!

1. Follow cupcakeMAG on Twitter.

2. Follow Banner Boutique on Twitter. 

3. Make sure you "Like" us on our Facebook page.

4. Make sure you "Like" Banner Boutique on Facebook - we LOVE them! 

5. Subscribe to our updates (top right corner above) - just sign up with your email!

6. Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag -- you must tweet, not just follow.

7. Tweet about this giveaway and include @bannerboutique -- you must tweet, not just follow. 

8. Write a blog post about this giveaway on your blog and send us the link.

We will select a winner via random.org on Friday, May 6th after 11pm. Please make sure you enter the mandatory comment first before doing the extra entries.