Dreams in my pocket - Jeanine Hays

(Jeanine and her exotic pillows)

We met up with the very talented Jeanine Hays of AphroChic and the AphroChic blog. A lawyer by profession, she is an artist, designer, blogger and successful entrepreneur 'by passion'. Here, on a bright blue winter morning, she lets us take a sneak peek into the her pocket and the dreams and designs that are nestled there...

Dreams in my pocket…

I am….

A designer, a lawyer, a writer – just a woman who wants to live the life she wants and have fun doing it. I am from a small town in Pennsylvania, but my dreams have always been big. I’ve also always had an independent streak. At some early point I decided that I wanted to go to Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. And even though my family wasn’t behind it at first, that was my decision, and when the time came, I went. I majored in Political Science while I was there. I also learned that I was an artist (who knew?), and took my very first painting classes on Spelman’s campus. After college I was very torn. I knew that I wanted to continue with school, but wasn’t sure if I would go for interior design or attend law school instead. Law school won out – mostly because it seemed like the surest path to a stable living – and I moved to Washington D.C. to attend American University Washington College of Law. I focused on domestic violence law, and today I work in that field as a policy associate for a non-profit in San Francisco. But despite taking what appeared to be the more rational path, I never lost my desire to engage my creative side.

While working full-time at the non-profit I decided to start a blog dedicated to my passion for interior design. That’s how AphroChic was born. It began in 2007, and became a successful home decor blog in a short amount of time. Two years after starting the blog, I decided to take my dreams even further and began creating some of my own designs. Because I’ve always been a renter, and because I like to change my style from year to year, I’ve always been attracted to pillows for their ability to transform a space without requiring a huge commitment. It turned out to be the perfect focus for a new company, and in 2009 AphroChic launched its first collection of throw pillows and apparel.

I write…

A lot. My blog is all about modern and soulful interiors. But I also write articles and blog posts for HGTV. It can make for some tired fingers, but I love every second of it (and so do my fingers). When I started my blog, I wanted to explore the types of spaces and decor that make me happy, and that’s still what I look for in the things that I cover. I love spaces that include a modern aesthetic, but that also tell a story. I believe that our decor can tell our stories, not only who we are but where we come from. I love spaces that are full of culture; design that is cutting-edge; and decor that makes a space truly feel like home. Those are the concepts that I look to explore and the ideas that I want to contribute in the AphroChic blog and everything else that I write, and it’s so much fun.

My bread-butter-n-jam…

I love making pillows. Pillows make people happy. They make you smile. And they are so comfy and cozy. There’s nothing like coming up with a new design and seeing it come to life. And I love the look of surprise when someone sees our collection and how bright and fun it is. I want each pillow I make to bring a smile to someone’s face.

What inspires and invigorates me…

My husband. We work together on building our business. When we started making pillows he didn’t have a clue about decor and design, but after just one year he is getting to be a bit of a designer himself. I’m inspired by how he takes on a new thing, and about how much he believes in what we’re doing. Owning your own business can be quite daunting, but he keeps me going. He never stops believing that we are doing the right thing by going for our dreams.

I enjoy…

M&Ms, funny movies, and laughing myself silly. I love spending time with my family and friends. Every day I realize a little more just how important the little things in life are. Life happens in the little moments.

Instant perk-me-ups…

For me it’s a chai latte. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up. Warm, sweet and spicy. I always feel better after drinking chai.

What counts…

I know it sound cliché, but being happy counts for everything. I was raised by the most wonderful mother, and the one thing she taught my sister and I was to be happy, to smile, to laugh, not matter what was happening in our lives. Doing what I love, even during the hard times, I know that most important thing is that I’m happy. That’s all that matters.

The important lessons of my life…

I’ve learned to be open to the opportunities that life has to offer. When I started my blog I had no idea the doors and opportunities that would open. I didn’t have a clue that I would I start my own online boutique, that I would be writing for HGTV, or that people would ever be inspired by the things that I do. Doors open, and I’m not afraid to walk through them and see what’s next. Never pass up on an opportunity. It just might change your life forever.

Let me share…

When I was a little girl I wrote a list of the things I wanted to be. I remember very clearly writing that I wanted to be a writer, designer or a lawyer. Today, I’m all three. My best advice would be to look back and think of what you always wanted to be. I’ll bet that, deep down, it’s still what you want to be today. Now, admit to yourself that you can have it, then take a step forward and make it happen. It’s never too late to make your dreams come true. You have everything that you need.