Bahama Hand Prints collaboration

When I heard that the first Engage Luxury Wedding Summit of 2019 was going to be at BahaMar in Nassau, Bahamas, I probably got a little more excited than most. You see, my husband is half Bahamian and he was raised in Nassau and still has a lot of family that live there. It is definitely my adopted second country. And when I thought about how I was going to present Working Wear Co. in the Bahamas only one company came to mind - Bahama Hand Prints. I had the great fortune to get to tour this local textile manufacturing facility many years back, long before Working Wear Co. was even a seed of an idea. I loved what they did there and how they represent this country that I love. So I reached out to their current owner, Alannah, who just happened to have gone to school with my husband, and asked if she would be willing to let me use some of her fabrics for some of our garments. She said yes and the collaboration began.

As Spring approached, I anxiously awaited the attire suggestions from Emily Clark Events because I knew they would help drive which Bahama Hand Prints fabrics I selected.

When I saw these mood boards I knew just the fabrics to use.

I wanted to drive home the idea that Working Wear Co. garments don’t have to come in just “event black.” We can create garments for event teams and servers that fit the theme of an event or use the signature color of a company. The sky is the limit!

Let’s break the mold of standard uniforms and have some fun with color and prints! Who is ready to collaborate on some fun garments?

And if you are wondering why I look like I am leading the Bahamian National Police Band out of the opening session, it is because I am! This may have been the highlight of my year. I love the police band! I see them every year when we celebrate Christmas in Nassau and I was so excited to see them enter the room on the first day of Engage that it must have been written all over my face because the band leader looked at me and said “you want to lead us out?” I shook my head with excitement, grabbed that baton and was off. Dancing and high stepping all the way to the cocktail hour where they were leading us. The sweet band leader at one point said “wait for us” and then I grabbed his arm and we marched together. Once we arrived at the destination they began making formations and weaving themselves. I had seen them do this a few times before and was so excited to be participating. The band leader guided me by the shoulders to show me where to go so I didn’t get hit by a trombone or tuba and then just like that they were done. It was a once in a lifetime moment. Year made!

Photos by Eric Kelley, Love Life Images & Emily Clark Events

Travel tips for the working mom

With Working Wear Co. up and running, I have traveled more for work in the last year than ever before. As a mom of two boys and a husband who thankfully never has to travel for work, our travel usually consisted of vacations and trips to see family. But traveling for work can be a completely different experience when you are leaving your well oiled machine of a home for a few days during the school week. Here are a few tips that I have learned to make leaving the house and traveling for work more bearable and less stressful for everyone.

  1. Help those you are leaving behind - sometimes the ones holding down the fort get the hardest job. Whether it is your spouse, a grandparent or nanny, jumping in and taking over jobs that you would normally do can be hard. Give some assistance before you go by pre-packing lunches for a day or two or making sure the kids have clean laundry while you are gone. Giving the caregivers a leg up, especially from the start, can set a solid foundation for the whole time you are away.

  2. FaceTime - how did we leave home without being able to video chat with our families? Seriously, if you traveled with kids before the invention of the iPhone, please tell us how you did it. Having breakfast with your kids or reading them a story at bedtime over FaceTime can bridge the gap during the time you are away.

  3. Communicate - make sure everyone is on the same page and knows the schedule for the week. Write it down and put it on the fridge or use a group calendar. Include important information like who is going where and when and how they are getting there (with back-up options if possible). Having this information clearly laid out can save having to leave an important meeting to coordinate carline pick up.

  4. Don’t feel guilty - Being away from home can be painful. Don’t let mommy guilt get you down because being away is important for you and your job. To help curb these feelings, bring a sentimental item from your kids that brings a smile to your face. If you don’t have one, get crafty. Have your kids draw you a picture or put their hand prints on a travel bag so they know they are with you no matter where you are.

  5. Bring home trinkets - show your kids you were thinking of them while you were away. Bring home the chocolates from your evening turn down or a small toy or stuffed animal from the gift shop. Ask the front desk for suggestions and you may find that they have souvenirs that they give out for just this occasion.

Travel has become an increasingly large part of being a modern working mom. Don’t stress and enjoy that quiet hotel room and TV remote that you get to have all to yourself.

The Southern C

I have been hearing about The Southern Coterie Summit for a few years now. It always intrigued me and I knew once I got Working Wear up and running that it would be a great environment to listen and learn. The 2019 Summit was the year! I packed my bags and headed to Sea Island, GA with no intention other than to gain knowledge. And that I did.

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Thankful

It has been a few months since I launched Working Wear at the Engage Summit in Banff. I wasn’t sure how it would be received. I wasn’t sure if anyone would actually buy the product. And if they did, would they like it? Would they find it useful? I created Working Wear out of my own need and the perceived need of others but was that a reality?

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Launched

It is a really crazy feeling when you play out a scene over and over again in your mind and then you live it.  I have thought countless times about what would happen when I launched Working Wear for the first time to people who aren't supposed to tell me they dig it because they love me.  I played out different scenarios in my head before I went to sleep or I would think about how the set-up would look while I was driving.  Honestly, I couldn't have anticipated how incredibly positive the reaction would be.  My Engage Summit family is really incredible.  They opened their arms to Working Wear like I never would have imagined.  They got it because they are in the same position I am; frustrated with the clothing options for our industry.  I received so many cheers from supporters.  I was overwhelmed by the smiles and the "I'm so proud of you"s. 

So here we go.  This thing that I was a little too scared to talk about out loud is out in the world.  Let's see where this road leads.