When I bought my sewing machine not even 2 years ago, I knew it was something more. There was something trying to come through me as a business venture. It was a knowing. But I had to be patient and let it work its way into this world. As I made clothes and projects, I started collecting A TON of fantastic fabrics and patterns. Any sewist can tell you it is Pandora’s box…it’s a never-ending rabbit hole of knits, woven cottons, rayon, jersey etc. I could go on and on. But as I finished projects, the amount of scraps and waste produced was undeniable. An idea started coming to me about using the scraps for something. Creating a sustainable business that would reuse and repurpose the waste from one project and make it into a beautiful product of its own. I remember running out to my local craft store and immediately buying earring supplies and making my first earring prototype. I had an idea!! And I ran with it. A business of handmade goods using and repurposing scrap fabric into beautiful creations.
But I knew NOTHING about business. Zero, nada, zilch. I knew I wanted this business to be scalable. So, I took a business class!! I know…me…the nurse anesthetist…with a bachelor’s degree in biology, a bachelor’s in nursing, and a Masters and Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia (yeah I know…I went alllllll the way through school!!) I signed up for an online business class!! I learned about scaling an online business, marketing, and starting a website. And guess what?? I decided that I CAN do this!! Isn’t it funny that sometimes the only thing in our way is ourselves? I still feel that way believe me but I am getting there!
This idea was birthed at the start of the 2020 social justice revolution, as we all witnessed George Floyd murdered on a busy city street. And that affected me. I wanted to do something, to contribute but what? Not only did I want to start a business using and repurposing scrap fabric, I wanted it to mean something. I was angry like a lot of Americans that we are born into this system that is set up to have some people succeed and some fail. I was inspired by this movement and in my first launch in July 2020 I donated 100% of the profits to charity. I split the donation between 2 charities, one national, one local that work towards equality and social justice for all. To read more about the charities I supported click here for the Blog post. Being able to donate to these organizations made my heart sing. With subsequent launches, I was able to donate more to other organizations and charities that I believe in. What’s funny is that my business is taking on my personality and beliefs!!! OF COURSE it has because it’s truly an extension of ME!
And that brings me to the name!! I had this wonderful business idea but what about the name?? It took months of brainstorming lists of names and combinations to come up with the perfect name. It had to be creative, versatile, unique and personal to me. When I would come up with one I really liked I would bounce it off people I loved and trusted, and there was always someone along the way that wouldn’t like the name…My wonderfully, amazing partner, Justin, liked his idea of General Sews (hahaha) which made me laugh buuuuut NOPE. Well one day it finally came. For the past few years I felt called to take a deep dive into my spirituality practice. During this time, it was like a flood gate opened and I started receiving unbelievable signs from the Universe that I was on the right life path. Rainbows were the first sign that started coming though on the regular, sometimes multiple times per day. Not only did I see rainbows in the sky but I would see stickers, jewelry, clothes, signs, and as I started talking about it I would see more. My friends started sending me their rainbow pics, we even saw a rainless rainbow one day…YES you read that right, a rainless rainbow!!! We were at a rooftop bar for a drink at sunset, clear and not a raincloud in sight and saw a rainbow!! It was INCREDIBLE. “Rainbow” fits me and every part of my being. It’s the sign I see that makes me surrender, trust, and have faith that my life, my choices, and all that is present, is meant to be. The next part was simple, “Jane”. I am Allison Jane, named after my grandmother, Della Jane, and my daughter is Clara Jane. It is a namesake that means so much to me. My grandmother passed away when I was 12 but has been the most present spirit in my life since her passing. We are connected. I’ve always felt her, sometimes I can smell her, and when I see a great blue heron I always say hello. She is always a protective, guarding light and her influence touches every part of this business…so “RAINBOW JANES” it is!!!
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But when you look back at this year, is there anything good? Can you pick out even just the smallest little bits to be thankful for? For me…more time at home with my daughter. I went down in my hours at work to be home with her to do virtual school. Even though it was super stressful at times, it worked. We got into a routine. There were more home projects done, more meals cooked together, more backyard fires than any other previous year. And for that, I am thankful. <3
And out of all the sadness, fear, and stress came introspection and reflection, A LOT of time spent in a hammock in my backyard, A LOT of time working through emotions in my journal, and my favorite…sitting in my rocking chair on my porch deep in thought. Through it all came Rainbow Janes, this beautiful baby business that has brought me so much joy. A creative outlet that has let my mind and soul sing. This business was birthed at a time of such chaos, yet represents such reprieve to me. This business has not only allowed my creative side to blossom, it has also allowed me the ability to give back to the charities and local businesses that I believe to be waymakers. Since this business has started I have been able to donate over $1600 to very deserving causes including The Conscious Kid, City of Promise, Susan G Komen Foundation, and The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
In December, instead of making a monetary donation I took the proceeds from my sale and donated 60 pairs of earrings to the Nurse Anesthesia department at the University of Virginia. These men and women have worked throughout this pandemic to provide the best care possible for their patients, potentially risking their health and wellness for the sake of their patients. It has been an incredibly stressful year due to Covid-19 and I wanted to make these incredible humans I am glad to call my co-workers, smile.
Pictured is Brittony this past December. In this picture she was 37 weeks pregnant. She had worked throughout the pandemic in order to save her time off for when her baby came (which he did last week! Congrats Brittony!) The healthcare workers here in Charlottesville, VA and around the globe are working tirelessly to make it through this pandemic unscathed while also providing excellent care for the sickest patients. I commend each one and recognize their hard work. They inspire me. And I am truly thankful this business allowed me to gift them a small token of appreciation. Let’s try to remember that there is A LOT of good still happening in this world. Amongst all the fear and media noise, there are good things happening and good people out there.
I want to thank each one of my customers that have shopped this year. Without you I would not be able to contribute to these causes that speak to my heart…THANK YOU! And I hope you have a happy and healthy new year!
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It’s here. It’s FINALLY here. A new year. A new start. A new beginning. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the very beginning of last year…no joke…and what a year it has been. I don’t know about you but my year has been filled with pain, fear, and stress… the whole time. Pain of extreme loss, fear of sickness and death, stress of all of it. But guys…we made it. As my nine-year-old daughter said in her letter to Santa “It’s been a tough year but we made it through!”. Words from a nine-year-old have never been more true. And so, I’ve taken the last week off of my job as a nurse anesthetist to slow down and enjoy the holidays, albeit different this year than others, and enjoy the slow-paced home life for just a small time. I’ve taken the last few days to really sit and process 2020…what the hell happened?? Why did it happen? How did I get through it? How did we get through it? What did I learn about myself? What do I want to take with me into the next year? What do I want to leave behind? I burned my reflections and releases in the light of the Full Moon the other night…what sweet relief that was…and then I took the time to think about and write about my intentions for 2021. I don’t think we can go forward without reflecting on the past…the good, the bad, the ugly…and so I compiled my top 10 lessons from 2020.
Lesson number 1of 2020: TEARS ARE OKAY. Not only are they okay, they are necessary. It is part of this human experience and this crazy part of life to FEEL. Feel ALL of it. We need the pain in order to fully feel the joy. It is the dichotomy of life. So, next time you go through something painful, instead of ignoring it or numbing yourself through it…lean into it. Feel those feelings. Embrace the pain…Cry, be angry, yell, beat a pillow, dance party with yourself, do it in the shower if you have to but know this...It’s OKAY. Our society has conditioned us to keep these emotions locked away but know you don’t have to. Know it’s okay to FEEL your feelings. It’s only when we open our hearts to ALL the pain that we can process it…and then leave it. So, I give you permission. Think about 2020…and CRY…and then let it the F*CK GO!!!! Here’s to new beginnings for all of us! CHEERS!]]>