We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christin Lowe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The biggest risk I’ve taken thus far in my business journey, was when I encountered a remarkable opportunity that pushed me to take a leap of faith. It all started when I came across a laser machine through a crowdfunding platform, and despite having no prior experience with such equipment, I felt an inexplicable urge to invest in it. This decision meant taking a substantial financial risk, especially since I was still employed in the corporate world.

Months passed before the machine finally arrived, and during that time, I started familiarizing myself with its operations by doing small projects for friends and family. However, due to my demanding corporate job, I couldn’t dedicate as much time to my business venture as I had hoped. It wasn’t until we welcomed our daughter and I decided to leave the corporate world that I could truly dive into exploring the machine’s potential.

Looking back, I acknowledge the fear and uncertainty that accompanied this venture. Placing so much trust and resources into something unfamiliar was undeniably intimidating. Nonetheless, I am immensely grateful, as that single decision paved the way for extraordinary growth in my business. It serves as a constant reminder that sometimes, we are presented with opportunities that may seem daunting or unconventional, yet they hold the potential to shape our lives in ways we couldn’t fathom.

Reflecting on this experience, I’ve learned to approach difficult decisions in both my business and personal life with faith and trust. It is easy to fall into the trap of overanalyzing, attempting to control every outcome, however, I firmly believe that God is always at play, guiding us toward the paths we are meant to traverse. When we surrender our worries and let go of control, the results often surpass our wildest imagination.

Christin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Christin and I am a wife, a mother, and the proud owner of Lush Vine Designs. Throughout my life, creativity has been a constant companion, whether it was sketching colorful pictures as a young girl or stylishly tending to my family members’ hair, the creative thread has been woven through my journey.

As a young adult, I worked various jobs while also trying to build my small business, and while I gained valuable experience in the corporate world, I eventually realized that my true calling lay elsewhere. When I became a full-time mother to our daughter, I seized the opportunity to explore my creative passions and expand my knowledge.

Now, in our seventh year of operation, I take great pride in running Lush Vine Designs from the comfort of my home. Lush Vine Designs is a one-stop shop for unique, high-quality gifts and branding solutions. From woodworking to graphic design, I am continually inspired to create pieces that are as unique as each one of our clients. Our diverse range of products can be found both in a few cherished local stores in the Northern Virginia area and shipped nationwide across the United States.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

In 2014, I discovered the wonderful world of jewelry making, and it soon became my creative outlet. It was an avenue for me to express myself in a way that my corporate job couldn’t. After long days at work, I would come home and immerse myself in creating beautiful pieces. It was like therapy for me, a way to relax and let my imagination run wild. Soon, friends and family began to notice my creations and started requesting custom pieces. That’s when I realized I could turn my passion into a small business and it was exciting to see my hobby transform into something more.

When our daughter was born, my life changed completely, in the best way possible. I knew I couldn’t go back to the 9-5 grind behind a desk. Instead, I embraced my role as a stay-at-home parent and used any spare moment I had to watch YouTube tutorials and bring new ideas to life. It wasn’t always easy, and I faced many challenges, but with time, I grew more confident in my skills and my business evolved.

To take my business to the next level, I built a website, purchased new tools, and started reaching out to local businesses. This opened up new opportunities and allowed me to connect with amazing clients who have become great friends over the years. I am truly grateful for their continued support and loyalty. Even now, as an established business owner, I never stop learning. Trends change, technology evolves, and my clients’ needs shift. Therefore, I am committed to staying up to date with the latest techniques and innovations to continue providing the best possible service.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lushvinedesigns.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lushvinedesigns
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lushvinedesigns

Image Credits
Photos 1-11 (Action shots and photos of myself) were taken by Molly M. Peterson at www.mollympeterson.com and/or @mollympetersonphotographer (Instagram). Photos 12-16 (Photos of earrings, coasters, cutting board & folded sweatshirts) were taken by myself, Christin Lowe.