Meet Melissa Boldt Emily Jennings

We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Boldt Emily Jennings recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa Boldt, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

The answer to this question really answers so many of the other available interview questions – our purpose is driven by our love for our daughters (Lucille “Lulu” and Scarlett Rae “Rae”) and our desire to be as present in their lives as possible, to be their positive role models, demonstrate how strong-willed and determined women can show up for themselves & each other, and be their own bosses and maybe even gain a big enough platform to shed more light on what many consider “taboo” subjects – infertility, donor genetics, surrogacy and pre-mature birth. Emily’s daughter’s story is rare and special and definitely uplifting and joyous. The journey of bringing her into this world was full of struggles however; struggles that so many other people face and become discouraged by. Our families are pretty much open books and if sharing this journey can bring hope to even one couple dealing with infertility, having or being a surrogate or having experienced traumatic birth in some way, then that is a gift we are privileged and honored to share.

Our Lulu Rae story really started as a need. Quickest backstory possible: We (Emily and Melissa) met when Emily and her husband taught her oldest son (now a senior in high school) in first and second grades. We became acquaintences/co-workers through the elementary school years and developed that relationship into a genuine friendship. Over the years, we began taking family vacations together and ultimately, after a long, exhausting and traumatic infertility journey, Melissa became Emily and her husband’s surrogate. Melissa carried and ultimately went into premature labor and delivered Scarlett at extreme prematurity at 22 weeks and 3 days. Although Scarlett is healthy, thriving, & truly, the definition of a miracle; Scarlett spent her first 154 days in NICU and when she was finally able to go home – she did so with a litany of restrictions which left Emily really no other option than to take time off work to be home with her little girl. Being so premature means that Scarlett isn’t able to attend day care and has really been in a bubble of isolation for her two short years thus far. Having her dream come true of being a mother to Scarlett didn’t mean Emily’s desire to funnel her creative juices somewhere died. Instead, after many months of talking and knowing that Melissa’s current work situation was coming to a close, the two of us decided to take the leap and start our own business! Knowing it would be hard work, but if successful, would give us the opportunity to work around our children’s needs and schedules was just the blessing we really wanted.

Every day we are gifted with the ability to watch our children grow and reach milestones – events that if we were working traditional 9 – 5 jobs, we might likely miss out on. Our purpose is them – our daughters (and the boys too!) – to give them all the stability and comfort of knowing a parent is always there to see their achievements, to catch them in their missteps, to comfort them during the chaos that is life. With Lulu Rae, we get to do those things AND pour our creativity into making home goods and gifts that make people happy.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Lulu Rae is an eclectic collection of new, upcycled and re-imagined home decor and gifts. Think funky, fun gift store (which we would love to expand to one day!). We create so many wonderful and different items from hand-beaded, one of a kind jewelry pieces to holiday decor to every-day gift items like shelf-sitters, clothing items, candles, signs, etc. Imagine a squirrel being focused on a nut and then getting distracted by the shiny glint of something else- that’s us! We love, love, love to create so many things that often, we make one or two of something and move on to something else to try our hand at.

For us, the thought of making or re-purposing items by hand with thought and care is something we want to encourage and see more of. We wouldn’t necessarily call ourselves artisans, but giving people an option to buy something that is made with love and intention, that is often a one-of-a-kind or limited run is important to us and if we can take something that may have ended up in a landfill and give it new life, new purpose – even better. Is Amazon, Target and Walmart cheaper? Of course! But there’s just something about choosing local, hand-made items from businesses with a story that’s much more magical and meaningful and we hope to continue to be able to provide this service for some time to come.

Just today we took steps to get a little closer to our goals of owning a brick & mortar store! Not only do we offer our items via an online presence and at craft and vendor shows, but now our collection will be part of a local store as well!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Thank God for business partners! The two of us really compliment each other. Emily for instance has a strong skill for delving into research and really making sure we hone our technical creative skills. She will watch tutorial videos, look up manufacturing specs on materials we use in final products, and garner information from other sellers of similiar products as well as the current trends from shoppers. The particular strength I believe I bring to our partnership is my ability to focus on the “boring” aspect of the business. I handle all our regulatory filings, financial dealings and logistics. While I love making and creating, the ‘type A’ side of me gets its kicks from dotting all our ‘i’s’ and crossing all our ‘t’s’! Together though we both are so willing to just jump in and go! There’s something to be said about having that “just do it” attitude – great ideas and visions are nothing without the desire and ability to push past the nervousness of new and scary of the unknown.

Being such newbies to business ownership, we’re not certain we’re the right people to be handing out advice, but if pressed – we’d say, “Go for it”. Take the leap and follow your passions. Take the time to look for the necessary professional help you may need – ie: accountants for financial advice, lawyers for advice on regulatory filings, call your local/county departments that may oversee your intended products or services. You’d be amazed at how willing they are to talk and walk you through things. Have faith in yourself and your ideas.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Being overwhelmed from time to time is just part and parcel of owning a business it seems. Fortunately for us, Emily and I seem to get overwhelmed at different times so its lovely to be able to look to each other. We’re great at talking the other person down, balancing out emotions, and re-setting expectations. Sometimes this looks like one of us taking on all the tasks and responsibilities for a little while and giving the other person a few days to take a step back, re-connect with family and homelife, and get grounded again. Sometimes, we require each other to provide a more direct “glass of cold water to the face” shock to bring us back to reality. The beauty of us being such good friends and having been through such extreme life events together is that there’s really nothing either one of us can do to truly offend the other – which allows us the ability to say the hard truths out loud. Finding a safe space with someone who can ground you and bring you back to reality without crushing the dream entirely is huge.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @shoplulurae
• Facebook: @shoplulurae