We're Catherine + Jackie, co-founders + owners of Feather + Finn co. We're so happy you're here with us + want to reintroduce ourselves to all of our new followers.
We have been featuring the most amazing brands in our 'Behind the Brand' blog series + realized we really wanted to get in on the fun! Read on to learn more about our story + for our individual behind the brand interviews.
Feather + Finn Co. has been a long time coming for Catherine and me. Since we met, more than 10 years ago, we have been searching for the perfect creative venture. A creative, passion project that would allow us to be our own bosses. From jewelry making, to baby toys, to a wellness blog. We gave each idea a lot of time and energy but in the end, they all just kind of fell flat. Until...
In July 2019, when I was 7.5 months pregnant with my daughter, Nellie, Catherine came to my house for lunch. In tow were her two little ones, Drake + Finn, and a cardboard box that she placed on my coffee table. The box stayed there for hours without a mention. We enjoyed lunch, chatted about the boys and Nellie on the way, and still, the box went unmentioned.
Finally, we sat down in the living room and Catherine told me she wanted to show me something referring to the now famous cardboard box on the coffee table. She opened the box and out came the six original Feather + Finn scents — pink peony, garden, brewed, fresh sheets, farmhouse, and white tea.
Catherine said something along the lines of “I know you’re about to pop but I want us to do this together so when you’re ready, let’s dooo this!”
Feather + Finn officially opened for business in October 2019 and we haven’t looked back since. We both took a huge leap of faith for ourselves and our families and could not be happier that we did.
We are so excited to share our behind the brand stories with you and are even more excited you’re all along for the ride!
Behind the Brand | Catherine
What do you enjoy the most about owning your own business?
Surprising myself every single day of what I can achieve as a business owner. I am not educated in how to own a business, each day is new + different + I am faced with new challenges every single day. At the end of the day, I look back + think to myself how incredibly proud I am of what I have accomplished + the brand we have created as a duo!
What ( if any ) challenges do you face while trying to balance business, family, friends, + your time?
BALANCE. Finding the balance between work, family, friends, + your time when you cherish all aspects of your life is extremely hard. I struggle with this on a daily basis, the only way I find that I am able to find balance is with lots of lists + a very full day-to-day calendar! Life is busy but it won’t be forever.
You learn so much about yourself when starting/owning a business - what is something you’ve learned about yourself personally + professionally?
Personally + professionally I have learned to never cut myself (us) short. We have a brand that deserves the high level of attention that it’s receiving + with that comes some humble cost increases + we have learned that, that is ok!
What about your business are you most excited about for the future?
It’s a secret! BUT I promise you, you will know more soon! On a more simple note, I am most excited about the growth of our workshops + events. Meeting new people + collaborating with other women-owned businesses + organizations.
What goals do you have for Feather + Finn?
Every day I set a goal personally + professionally. I try to keep my goals attainable! Some weeks my goal is to simply respond to all the emails I have waiting for me + other weeks it’s to connect more with Jackie outside of work. It’s all relative to the right now.
What is the best piece of advice you have received during your time as a business owner?
1. Be true to yourself + be authentic. ( something we should all be in our personal lives too! ) 2. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Jackie + I are constantly leaning on each other, I am eternally grateful to have someone to lean on. Life + business is constantly growing + there will be growing pains… without help you will sink.
Fun Facts |
Favorite food | peach, burrata, + prosciutto salad for summer + roasted tomato + burrata salad for the fall!
Coffee order | hot chai tea latte
Most recent book | you have a match by emma lord
Go to podcast | armchair expert with dax shepard, the collective co., magic lessons with elizabeth gilbert
Pet-peeve | being able to hear someone chewing, it goes right through me + i literally have to walk away. cue my husband rolling his eyes!
Behind the brand | Jackie
What do you enjoy the most about owning your own business?
So many things! What I enjoy most about owning my own business is the flexibility to be there for my family + being able to spend so much time with my daughter. A very close second is the relationships Catherine and I have formed with like-minded people. We are surrounded by strong, powerful, determined women with inspiring stories and goals. I’m not sure I would have realized that without Feather + Finn.
What ( if any ) challenges do you face while trying to balance business, family, friends, + you time?
The biggest challenge I face is getting some me time. I am happier, more efficient, and healthier when I get to recharge my batteries alone. That doesn’t happen often right now due to the season of life I’m in but I could do more to advocate for myself in that department.
You learn so much about yourself when starting/owning a business - what is something you’ve learned about yourself personally + professionally?
Life’s thrown an unbelievable amount of stress and hardship at my family and me since Catherine and I started Feather + Finn. All of that thrown on top of starting and learning how to run a business has taught me a novels worth of things in both my personal and professional life. I’ll leave you with the two that come to mind first.
I’ve learned that I can handle and survive really, really difficult situations.
I’ve also learned to lean on the people that love me and it’s okay to ask for help. Catherine has been the biggest advocate for me asking for help and one of the biggest givers of help. I’m lucky to have her by my side. I’m still working on the asking for help part but getting better at it. :)
What about your business are you most excited about for the future?
I am excited to continue to make connections with like-minded people in my community. The stories, connections, friendships, and opportunities that have risen from Feather + Finn are unreal. We have dubbed this group of women “our village.” I cannot wait to continue to grow our village.
What goals do you have for Feather + Finn?
We love goal lists! We typically jot a list down each day we are in the shop together. We may not always attain our 20 goal list during a day at the shop but it’s nice to dream! LOL
On a larger scale, I would like to see Feather + Finn grow with additional employees and a brick and mortar storefront.
Fun Facts |
Favorite food | tacos + ice cream always + forever
Coffee order | unsweetened iced shaken espresso
Most recent book | Beach Read by Emily Wilson
Go to podcast | The Mother.ly Podcast, Be Well by Kelly, + The Collective Co.
Pet-peeve | when someone listens to tiktok or Instagram videos on full blast or the rubbing of someone’s sandy feet on my sandy feet… omg I could gag thinking about it.
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