Jillibean Soup Celebrates 10 Years!!! = GIVEAWAYS!

This year Jillibean Soup hits 10 YEARS Old!!!  Can you believe it?  We can't either!

Each day for the next 10 days, we will feature stunning birthday cards created by our team, have out of this world giveaways, a SALE and some fun tidbits and behind the scenes of Jillibean over the years!

How about a little bit about Jillibean Soup?  

If you don't know - owner/founder/creator is Jill Yegerlehner (hence the Jill in Jillibean).  Jill and her family reside in Dublin, Ohio.  As the photo shows she has 3 girls.  She actually started the company when the youngest was 3 months old!  Jill said it's crazy to look back and see how she started when she had 3 young kiddos!  

Jill answered some questions for us to jump start this Celebration!  Check them out..

1.  Why the name Jillibean Soup?  
   Well..  I actually started with another name...Jill's Attic.  Quickly into the business I figured out that someone else had trademarked "Jill's Attic". So I had to go back to the drawing board...  I made a long list of ideas, sent my favorite 6 picks to my friends/family and they all came back with liking "Jillibean Soup".  I also had a neighbor that called me "Jillibean" as a kid.  It's allowed us to do some fun marketing with "soup".
   
   
2. How did you get your start?  
   Good question!  I have a Biology degree and worked in Food Science up until starting Jillibean.  I was actually on bed rest with our 3rd daughter when I started to conceptualize the business.  I was scrapbooking while laying down.  I loved the creative energy of it.  I had lots of time on my hands so I started researching scrapbooking ideas.  I love color.  I love design - really anything with design - patterns, home decor, home interior, architecture.. love it all.  I wanted to try and figure out how I could get into this industry that I loved so much. I met another Mom at pre-school that was a graphic designer.  She and I started talking and working on some products.  Our first lines were printed on kraft paper because it was going to be our niche.  It took a bit of learning and tons of research but our first collections were released in Sept of 2008.  We went to our first tradeshow in 2009 (CHA) and after that - it went crazy for me.
   
   
3. Besides scrapbooking and papers - what other products do you offer?  
   We have offered lots of different products throughout the years..  party products, planner products, gift products, felt, stencils, stamps and so much more.  Our mixed media (wood surfaces) category is and has been huge for us.  Over the years, we've had to evolve.  Paper crafting is strong but not strong enough.  When I talk about wood surfaces - think canvas but in wood.  We do tons of products that you can make your own home decor with.  Some funny stuff that we've recently worked on (private label) are plastic craft-able Easter eggs.  See - you never knew!  
   
   
4. What is your favorite collection to date?  
   Oh my...  that's tough!  I don't know if I have a favorite!  I love some of our more recent collections but a few oldies have my heart too.  Happy Camper, Fresh Vegetable, Chilled Cucumber, Hardy Hodgepodge, Shades of Color.. there's so many!!!  My eyes love color and design - I see it everywhere.
   
   
5. Do you design exclusive products for other companies?  
   We do - most stuff you would not know was our designs.  We work with Michaels, JoAnn Stores and AC Moore in developing private brand products for them as well.
   
   
6. What is your favorite craft to make?  
   I love to make cards (I'm less intimidated by them as compared to a 12x12 layout) and DIY projects with our Mix the Media products.  I can crank out signs galore. ;) 
   
   
7. Tell us more about your partnership with Hampton Art? 
   Well, we partnered with them over 5 years ago (so half of our life-span).  As the kids get older and we got busier and busier, I wanted help with the day to day operations.  Hampton has helped with that - they procure and ship all of our wholesale orders.  We work together on product development, we quote everything, we work with overseas production. Once it ships from overseas, Hampton takes over.  Hampton has relationships with all of the chain stores so they were able to help us break into that arena.  I know this bothers some people but as the independents became fewer and fewer - it was important to diversify.  I've learned a ton since partnering with them as well as have been able to offer so many more products that I love.  
   
   
8. How big is Jillibean Soup?  
   How many employees?  Where are you located?  We have offices in Dublin, Ohio.  All of our retail orders ship from Sidney, Ohio so we maintain inventory there as well.  All of our wholesale orders ship from North Carolina (Hampton).  We have 2 employees plus me at home base.  We have 2 Graphic Designers that are located in Pennsylvania and Oregon.  We have a Marketing Director located in Utah, a Blog Hostess in Iowa, a Social Media Hostess in California and a Design Team Coordinator in Indiana.  I think that's everyone.  Even though we're all spread out - e-mail, Dropbox, Google-docs and Google-calendar help us all stay organized!!  Kimber McGray - our Design Team Coordinator has been with us since almost the very beginning.  How's that for loyalty!  Summer Fullerton has been with us as a Design Team member turned Graphic Designer for 9 years a well!
    
9. Do you have any stories from over the last 10 years?  
   Man.. yes.. so many.  It's been a great ride and I wouldn't change it for the world!  From teaching in the Netherlands to having to move my entire booth 3 feet out from the wall at CHA (fire hazard).. we have so many stories and so many friendships that have developed!  There is no other industry like our's.  The kinship of paper crafters is unmatched.  I've traveled to trade shows, consumer shows, events to teach, meetings with buyers..  I've been in front of so many people and kindness sticks out more than anything.  I don't recall the few negatives but I do recall the friendliness of our industry.  Some of my lifelong friends I've met in this industry.. and I know they'll be there when I'm retired.  
   
   
10. Where do you see Jillibean in the next 10 years?  
    Ugh, I don't know..  I can't tell you what kids activities I have tonight!  I plan but that seems far away and I will be 56!  I can tell you what I love to do..  I love to create new products.  Love it.  I research like nobody's business and I find that one thing that I think will be fresh and new and try to bring it to fruition.  I love the process of product development.  I love seeing things digitally and then seeing the product in person.. it's so cool!  I just hope and pray that I get to continue to do this for the next 10 years.  It would be a blessing!

Thank you Jill for answering our questions!  If you have a question for Jill - leave it below!  She doesn't mind giving you the scoop!

Like we mentioned above - we will have a sale, giveaways and cards every day!  

Check out our first Birthday Celebration card..  this darling card created by designer, Jaclyn Rench. 

Birthday from me to you Card by Jaclyn Rench

A big chunk of white space in the upper right portion of this card, balances out the big and bold elements on the remainder of the design. Design team member, Jaclyn Rench, stamped a trio of balloons, colored them with copic markers, and added twine to create a bundle of birthday fun. She heat embossed her sentiment in white, atop of a black cardstock base. Doing so, allows the greeting to stand out amongst the card’s other bold and graphic elements.

Supplies:
Jillibean Soup
Patterned Paper: Shades of Color Soup/Bold Brilliance
Clear Stamps & Dies: Balloon Party
Clear Stamps: JB Birthday

Other: Versamark ink, embossing powder, white cardstock, Copic markers, black twine

Are you inspired? How about heading over to the online retail store and SHOP for Jillibean supplies 10% off EVERYTHING!

Click HERE to shop! Use code: BIRTHDAY10 when you check out. (All capital letters!)

Now for a giveaway! How about a Silhouette Cameo??!!!

All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this blog post and wish Jill and Jillibean Soup a Happy Birthday! 

NOTE: This giveaway is only open to US residents. Sorry... our other giveaways over the next 9 days will be open to everyone!

Giveaway ends 10/17!

 

Comments

[Tina Phillips]

Happy birthday!! I loved reading the Q&A's! Especially how you transitioned your hobby and love of scrapbooking into such an amazing business! Gives dreamers like me hope that we can turn our visions into reality with enough hard work! Thank you so much for all you do and here's to several more "birthdays" down the road! You rock!!!

[Cynthia Baldwin]

Happy birthday to Jillibean! I remember when Jill started - my gauge is the age of her girls - they’ve grown so big now! :) I might even have some of those kraft-based papers she first started with (Blush).
I’ve always admired and enjoyed this brand - the designs, the creativity, the color...big congrats to you on this milestone, and here’s to many more years of Jillibean Soup!

[Jeanne Beam]

Happy Birthday to Jillibean! Continued success!
Thanks for sharing...

[Patchi]

Happy birthday from a fellow scrapbooking biology major!

[Katie]

Happy birthday!

[Mel H]

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite companies-Jill and Jillibean Soup!

[Elizabeth Moore]

Happiest of birthdays! What a way to celebrate!

[Sue D]

Happy Birthday Jill and Jillibean Soup. I enjoyed learning more about you and your company. I like the festive birthday card.

[Jill Bruchnak]

Happy, Happy Birthday! Love all of the products!

[Maria Martinez]

I am new to stamping and card making and I am LOVING!!! Your products I have to say I was a bit intimidated by stamping but your shaker card kits make it FUNNNNN and EASY for this 53 year old lady still open to learning :). Thank you

[Donetta Sommer]

Congrats on ten years. Birthday's are a wonderful time to strut your stuff. Go for it Jillibean Soup...BTW I love your store name I am glad you picked it.

[Sherri R]

Happy Birthday! Can't wait to see what you create next.

[Robin Fortenberry]

Happy Birthday Jillibean Soup! New customers here but we love the products!

[Nadine Palmer]

Loved reading about Jill and her family. I remember her teaching classes many moons ago at B & B Scrapbooks in Powell, Ohio (a small independent store that has since closed). I'm raising a cup of coffee to your next 10 years!!

[Janet]

Wow Happy 10th birthday!!! I can remember taking a card class from you at a scrapbook store in Kettering. It was owned by a high school friend of mine named Vicki Hoffman. I have been true and LOYAL follower. I love coming to Columbus to your warehouse sale every year. Here's to another great 10 years!!!!!

[Dottie Eberhart]

Happy birthday! My favs: Bowl of Dreams and Shades of Color!

[LouAnn V]

Happy Birthday Jillibean!! Looking forward to the next ten years.

[Robin Duttry]

Great company.

[Robin Nichols]

Happiest of Birthday Wishes to Jillibean Soup! Always have enjoyed your story on how it all began. Thank you for sharing your story, lovely pic of your family and constant inspiration!

[Mary Holshouser]

Happy Birthday, Jill.
Glad you brought Jillibean Soup along
for the ride. It's been a great 10 years.
thanks for telling us about yourself and
the company you launched.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Karen K]

Happy, Happy Birthday! Thanks for the Q & A it was fun to read about the start of Jillibean. I've been a Jillibean Soup fan for years. Sometimes I scroll through the online store just to see what you've named the papers! I also love cardmaking and really enjoyed Jillibean Card Kitchen monthly kits (back in the day!). So, congrats on the first 10 years.

[Stacie S]

HaPpY bIrThDaY!!!

[Denise G.]

Happy birthday Jill and Jillibean Soup! So glad to have found you this past year!

[Maryjo Lawson]

Happiest of Birthdays to you! I have followed you from the beginning and wish you anymore years of success!

[Lisa P]

Happy birthday to you!! Wishing for many more to come. Love Jillibean.