Our new Stick Of The Week! is Shannon Elmore. Shannon is in the NOW as Head Creative Chief in Charge of Fox-t, a company creating the ultimate birthday party experience for kids. The Fox-t motto for parties: Go big or go home! Fox-T was born so that Shannon could create, draw, paint and get crafty. She loves "loving" her children and creating the ultimate birthday party experience for them. "Sharing it with other moms is just a bonus!"
Shannon Elmore is a mom of three children, Zoe (15), Camden (11) and Theron (8). She's married to her soul mate and has two Great Danes. Shannon gives back regularly and it does come back. "My grandma says, You can’t out give the Lord, and I believe it." She loves to go places in their motorhome with the soul purpose of burning the rubber off those tires each summer!
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
My Noodle On the Wall. Ahhh! Well, letting out my creative craft juices. It relaxes me and excites me at the same time! Once I had children, I realized that they came with birthday parties and all of the sudden, a birthday party became a six month planning period! My husband is like, “Is this ever gonna end?” To which my answer is always a.......Nope! From social media teasers and theming parties to the hilt, to hiring a Navy Seal to repel from our roof, the parties can get crazy. At this point, I have a reputation to uphold :)
My Noodle On the Wall. Ahhh! Well, letting out my creative craft juices. It relaxes me and excites me at the same time! Once I had children, I realized that they came with birthday parties and all of the sudden, a birthday party became a six month planning period! My husband is like, “Is this ever gonna end?” To which my answer is always a.......Nope! From social media teasers and theming parties to the hilt, to hiring a Navy Seal to repel from our roof, the parties can get crazy. At this point, I have a reputation to uphold :)
I guess my NOW, Fox-t, was formed when my youngest, Theron, had his first birthday. As I made invitations for the kids for their birthday parties, I slowly started adding them to Etsy and blogging about them. Almost overnight, I had orders. They say love what you do and you never work a day in your life? Amen! Making stuff for my babies and offering it to other people, doesn’t feels like work. Fox-t didn’t have a choice but to be born. Pure-crazy-top-of-the-charts passion drives it!
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
My NOW is just simmering and I’m enjoying the ride! Simply put, I do it as a creative outlet and it is a memorable time I cherish with each invitation or craft project. I create just about anything for our family and friends, most of which I don’t charge a thing for the design – just because I love it so much. If I turn it into a full time mind blowing business, will I love it as much? Will it take away from the time with the kids? I’m not ready to test it yet. I’m just enjoying it. An “al dente” noodle in my simmering noodles is that I have noticed parents have a hard time with teens, understanding what makes a killer party for them. So, maybe soon, I’ll focus on that a little more. My oldest is turning 16 in January of 2015. I’m already planning!
My NOW is just simmering and I’m enjoying the ride! Simply put, I do it as a creative outlet and it is a memorable time I cherish with each invitation or craft project. I create just about anything for our family and friends, most of which I don’t charge a thing for the design – just because I love it so much. If I turn it into a full time mind blowing business, will I love it as much? Will it take away from the time with the kids? I’m not ready to test it yet. I’m just enjoying it. An “al dente” noodle in my simmering noodles is that I have noticed parents have a hard time with teens, understanding what makes a killer party for them. So, maybe soon, I’ll focus on that a little more. My oldest is turning 16 in January of 2015. I’m already planning!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Mmmm. Recipes.
Recipe No. 1:
I would say, don’t sell yourself short. When I put a price on something, I include everything – shipping tape costs money and so does gas. It seems fun in the beginning to sell a lot of something, but if you’re not making any money at the end of the day, you’re burnt out and you’ve lost that time with the ones you love most – so CHARGE for it. Period!
Recipe No. 2:
Your brand is super important. If you don’t have means to create it properly, head to the library, trade or beg and Google to get it where it needs to be. Perception is everything.
Mmmm. Recipes.
Recipe No. 1:
I would say, don’t sell yourself short. When I put a price on something, I include everything – shipping tape costs money and so does gas. It seems fun in the beginning to sell a lot of something, but if you’re not making any money at the end of the day, you’re burnt out and you’ve lost that time with the ones you love most – so CHARGE for it. Period!
Recipe No. 2:
Your brand is super important. If you don’t have means to create it properly, head to the library, trade or beg and Google to get it where it needs to be. Perception is everything.
Recipe No. 3:
Blog about it. Pin it. Facebook it. Tweet it. Instagram it. Blogging, if nothing else is key and if you are going to have social accounts, keep them up. If I go to someone’s Facebook page and they haven’t posted in six months, their credibility just went down......AND check your spelling. But don’t check mine. Ha! My blog writing is all me. The proofing, rereading and double checking......yeah......I don't do that. I write with energy and passion and it takes a lot out of me to just form complete sentences. I think maybe I should do videos. So, with that said, “Do what I say, not what I do.”
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I had so many parents coming up to me after they had gotten the invitations to our kid’s birthday parties wanting to know who did them and I just decided, what the heck. I’ll put one of these on Etsy and write a little blog about the party and it took off! It’s extra money that I don’t count on and when I get it, I work towards paying off something, putting it back in savings or planning a vacation with the family. That also motivates me!
Blog about it. Pin it. Facebook it. Tweet it. Instagram it. Blogging, if nothing else is key and if you are going to have social accounts, keep them up. If I go to someone’s Facebook page and they haven’t posted in six months, their credibility just went down......AND check your spelling. But don’t check mine. Ha! My blog writing is all me. The proofing, rereading and double checking......yeah......I don't do that. I write with energy and passion and it takes a lot out of me to just form complete sentences. I think maybe I should do videos. So, with that said, “Do what I say, not what I do.”
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I had so many parents coming up to me after they had gotten the invitations to our kid’s birthday parties wanting to know who did them and I just decided, what the heck. I’ll put one of these on Etsy and write a little blog about the party and it took off! It’s extra money that I don’t count on and when I get it, I work towards paying off something, putting it back in savings or planning a vacation with the family. That also motivates me!
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
My children. My family. My close friends. Giving them something personalized, something they can’t buy at a store, wowing my kids (which is getting harder to do), watching my friend’s eyes light up as I make their daughters sixteenth birthday the party of the year – I can’t put a dollar figure on that type of feeling. It doesn’t take much to inspire me – I just need a project and a purpose.
My children. My family. My close friends. Giving them something personalized, something they can’t buy at a store, wowing my kids (which is getting harder to do), watching my friend’s eyes light up as I make their daughters sixteenth birthday the party of the year – I can’t put a dollar figure on that type of feeling. It doesn’t take much to inspire me – I just need a project and a purpose.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
Oh wow! Guilt is a hard nut to swallow. I’m feeling it right now typing up the answers to this questionnaire. Ha! As a mom, I am always asking myself if I’m doing the right thing. Am I raising my babes the best I can? Would I hire them? I always wonder if tomorrow didn’t come, have I spent that quality time with them today as I should have. What a struggle! I try my best not to be on my computer or my phone constantly in front of the kids. It is HARD to do! I try to get cracking when they are asleep! Or at least, I tell myself that I do. I also try every day to do something special with them, even if it’s only to watch a TV show and cuddle or fix dinner together. Post a photo of them and tell the world how awesome they are or write them a little note in their book bag. It can be anything. I started taking photos at our kid’s sports events and when we come home they love to see all the images and share them with their coaches and friends. I look for ways to include them in my NOW......a.k.a creative craft juice-must-come-out-now disease.
Oh wow! Guilt is a hard nut to swallow. I’m feeling it right now typing up the answers to this questionnaire. Ha! As a mom, I am always asking myself if I’m doing the right thing. Am I raising my babes the best I can? Would I hire them? I always wonder if tomorrow didn’t come, have I spent that quality time with them today as I should have. What a struggle! I try my best not to be on my computer or my phone constantly in front of the kids. It is HARD to do! I try to get cracking when they are asleep! Or at least, I tell myself that I do. I also try every day to do something special with them, even if it’s only to watch a TV show and cuddle or fix dinner together. Post a photo of them and tell the world how awesome they are or write them a little note in their book bag. It can be anything. I started taking photos at our kid’s sports events and when we come home they love to see all the images and share them with their coaches and friends. I look for ways to include them in my NOW......a.k.a creative craft juice-must-come-out-now disease.
For example, a pottery place opened down the street not too long ago and I took my NOW and my kid’s and went to town for days painting in that shop for Christmas gifts. Some I sold. Some I gave. My kids had a good time and even better time seeing their families faces when they opened their gifts.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Does that mean dream job? Or really pasta? Real pasta dish – Chicken Alfredo (I’m a plain Jane when it comes to food). Ultimate pasta dish...I would say, where I can be crafty, and be there for my little ones (who are quite big now) and just create! An endless craft budget would be nice too! Recently, I’ve started sewing. My mom is a master at it and we’ve had a good time together lately; sewing, chatting, demolishing a glass of wine or three. I’m glad we’re sharing this hobby and I get to be with her. I’d say part of that Ultimate Pasta Dish would include being with her too. I just cried a little. Oh gosh.
Does that mean dream job? Or really pasta? Real pasta dish – Chicken Alfredo (I’m a plain Jane when it comes to food). Ultimate pasta dish...I would say, where I can be crafty, and be there for my little ones (who are quite big now) and just create! An endless craft budget would be nice too! Recently, I’ve started sewing. My mom is a master at it and we’ve had a good time together lately; sewing, chatting, demolishing a glass of wine or three. I’m glad we’re sharing this hobby and I get to be with her. I’d say part of that Ultimate Pasta Dish would include being with her too. I just cried a little. Oh gosh.