Daily Inspiration: Meet Jessica Simon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Simon.

Hi Jessica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Poppy Jane started as a hobby that quickly turned into a passion. I’ve always been a crafty / DIYer for as long as I can remember. My inspiration came from when I worked in a hospital, where everyone wore the same blue scrubs every day, and there weren’t many ways to accessorize and uniquely express yourself. I purchased a felt badge reel as a fun accessory but quickly realized it would be difficult to keep clean. That’s when I decided to play around and make something that was not only custom and unique but also durable! Poppy Jane acrylics are all handmade in the suburbs of Kansas City. My website currently has nearly 400 products, and new ones are added every week! We offer everything from seasonal items, products by specialty, various foods and drinks, animals- and everything in between! If you have something specific in mind and don’t see what you’re looking for, I LOVE custom orders! The possibilities are truly endless. I also have several non-badge reel acrylic products launching soo soon! I’m currently in the final designing and product testing phase before our launch.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Getting started was the hardest part! As I mentioned, Poppy Jane just started as a hobby. The more I wore them at work, and I had so many people asking about them and encouraging me to sell them. As much as I loved making them, I was hesitant to sell them / do a small business out of them. Around the time I decided to dive in, my husband and I were in the middle of moving, we had a newborn, and I also worked full time as a surgical assist! As much as I tend to load a lot on my plate at once, I was nervous about starting a new adventure this big while navigating being a new mom, wife, and full-time health care employee! Any small business owner who says it’s easy is a liar! There are so many small yet huge aspects behind the scenes that people may never realize. There were several “difficult” parts of the process, from web design, legal things, taxes, finances, etc., but I made the best of it and tried to make it as fun as possible! I have to give a huge thank you and shout out to my husband, Brandon, the tech nerd who helped create many of the different aspects of the website possible!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Badge reels are my first and best sellers. From the wide variety that we offer, down to them being completely customizable, there are so many things that make our products so unique! The funniest part is that all items are completely customizable! Secondly, all our badge reels and “toppers” come with a special interlocking velcro that is interchangeable, so they can be switched up as much as you’d like! I have so many new product ideas that will be added to the website in the coming months. Dog parents, book lovers, and expecting parents- keep your eyes out 😉

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Mostly all self-taught, I just learned as I went, but I then found a Facebook group of other acrylic makers. In the beginning, I trial and errored the techniques in the process until I found the best method.

Pricing:

• badge reels range from $10 – $14

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shoppoppyjane.com
• Instagram: IG – @shoppoppyjane
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoppoppyjane