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

Hi Susana, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

hmmm… this is an interesting question.

I want to live in a way that shows my kids that working hard for what we want is important, being good at what we do takes time, effort and a whole lot of sweat and tears. It’s important to always do our best, no matter how insignificant we think the task we are given is.

But more importantly, I want to live a life that shows that taking time time to serve others and caring for people around us is what matters the most.
I hope my home is known for being a place open to friends and strangers, I want to be someone who takes time to sit with people when there’s a need, or happy times to share, or cake to eat while drinking coffee & throwing rocks in the woods because Tuesdays are hard sometimes.
I hope that when I’m gone my family and my friends will remember me as someone that loved them, and care about them to the best of my ability.
That, is a bigger measure of success than having big house, or fancy cars or all the material possessions this world considers success (not that I mind having those things, I like nice things, lol) Most of all I hope that my legacy is living a life that always points people to Jesus. That’s pretty much it.

Susana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born in Paraguay into a family of Ukrainian immigrants, I learned how to sew from my sisters when I was in middle school. When I moved to the USA I started doing sewing things as a way for me to make a little extra money while staying at home and homeschooling our 4 children. At first I did alterations and random projects for friends that needed it. Then, a few years ago I was gifted a giant load of beautiful fabric samples from an interior design company in the Atlanta area where we currently live. After sitting and contemplating the enormous pile of small fabric pieces in my garage, I made a patchwork looking bag using several of the samples, since none of the pieces were big enough to make something with just one color, I combined a bunch of them into a one of a kind piece. I posted a picture on my Facebook and people LOVE IT! and sew…. Mama Dinosews was born. 6 years into this adventure I have made over 1000 One Of a Kind bags, I’m still working thru the original boxes of fabric samples but since, added many more, every bag is unique, and I love adding trims and jewelry or buttons or beads to make each piece special.

My favorite thing to hear from my customers is that my bags are made well, they are high quality and uniquely designed, and they last a LONG time. I love when people tell me they get compliments on their bags all the time. That’s what makes a Mama Dinosews bag special. don’t get one if you just want to blend in with every other bag carrying person.
The mission is simple, Make a pretty, high quality bag, everyone can afford.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I do a lot of local Craft Shows and Festivals, that is where I meet and build my main clientele. People often think my tag line of “It’s One of a Kind so you have to claim it first” is a sales pitch… and it is, but, its also the truth. Because I use only sample size fabric pieces I actually don’t have the ability to make the same bag twice. Over time my customers figure this out, so they know not to wait to claim their bags when I post them on Social Media, or to tag their friends who are into unique fabric designs or fans of certain themes…. ( I’m looking at you Harry Potter and peacock fabric fans LOL) Having a unique product and the highest quality I can offer, and having happy customers that spread the word to their friends is how I build my client base, many of whom have become great friends in real life.
I have THE BEST customers!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

there are 2 things that I learned since I started Mama Dinosews. When I first started pricing my work I often underpriced things or offer discounts in order to sell things, I was afraid that if I didn’t people wouldn’t buy my bags, I have since learned that my skills and product have value, and the people that value my skills are willing to pay a fair price and don’t ask for a discount.

And second, I don’t have to make bags with zippers just because people ask me too. I simply don’t want to. Zippers and I are not friends. If you’re looking for a bag with zippers, I’m not your bag lady, and I’m ok with that. I can still be your friend, and I will actually point you to other bag ladies that will be happy to make you bags with zippers :)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mamadinosews.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamadinosews
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamadinosews