Get to Know Jenny Smith Johnson of Cheeky & Swank

We are delighted to introduce you to Startup Princess Jenny Smith Johnson of Cheeky & Swank. Jenny started her mom and children’s lifestyle brand with her brother’s design firm nearly a year ago and has since received a lot of praise for her fresh t-shirt designs and various baby and apparel items. While Jenny gives design credit to her brother’s firm, she’s clearly the art director!  She has a great sense of style–(you should see her beautiful Arts & Crafts styled home self-designed!) and a sharp eye for color and contrast. No doubt 10 years as a professional photographer, traveling abroad, and being a former boutique owner was excellent preparation for Jenny’s entrepreneurial path.

If you attend Startup Princess events, it’s likely you’ll meet Jenny in person as she has been to both of our retreats in the past year and is so loyal she even drives the 4 hrs. round trip for our SLC chapter events. Oh how we love Jenny!  It’s been a joy to see how thirsty Jenny is to learn and to apply the principles and strategies shared. It’s been even more rewarding to hear about Jenny’s new reps, stores carrying her products, and how Startup Princess Fairy Godmother Sarah Shaw “Entreprenette” is helping her take things to the next level.

Hometown: Logan, UT

Current Residence Logan, UT

Education: BFA in Photography

Professional Background: Owned/sold a specialty boutique, Commercial/Portrait photographer for 10 years, and currently Founder/CEO of Cheeky & Swank

What you wanted to be when you grew up: The life of being a mysterious, brilliant, eccentric “artist” always sounded so romantic.

What you are: Mother, wife and the Founder/CEO of Cheeky & Swank. I love that I get to be creative everyday, whether it’s creating a product or creating a business.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: At Cheeky & Swank we believe that you deserve products that are stylish and functional. We design products that are as unique and creative as the people who buy them. We specialize in apparel and products for mom and baby with the idea that kids are a little “cheeky” and moms are “swank”.

Company Website?

http://www.cheekyandswank.com

What inspired you?

I have two children and always struggled finding them products that weren’t covered with cartoon characters or pink and baby blue. I finally put my foot down and started making them myself.

How long have you been in business?

My brother and his design firm, Advent Creative and I dreamed up the concept 2 years ago, but have been actively selling for 1 year.

How did you fund it?

I funded Cheeky & Swank on my own on a shoestring budget and lots of hard work.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)?

I have three wonderful women who have played a major role in the success of Cheeky and Swank. The Startup Princess Queen herself, Kelly King Anderson, Laura Biswas of EmbraceyourFinancialPath.com and Sarah Shaw of www.entreprenette.com.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups?

Startup Princess, of course!

Current Business Challenge?

My biggest challenges are wearing all the hats that a new business owner must do and marketing myself to the world.

What are you doing about it?

I’ve been working on being more organized and delegate the things that I’m not good at to others. I’m also learning that sometimes you just need to ask for help, and surprisingly enough, it’s usually there.

Favorite motivational quote:

You must be the change you want to see in the world.

~Mahatma Gandhi

Family?

Yes, my hubby, a daughter and son.

If so, how do you balance family and business?

I have learned that you have to plan and schedule your work time and family time and force yourself to make the mental shift. I do family/home things in the morning and focus my afternoons on work. Of course a few late nights have to be added in there too. (It’s still a work in progress, ha ha).

Favorite book?

I don’t really have a favorite, I just love to read. My current favorite is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. I have to admit that sometimes I love a fun read, like mystery novels by Dick Frances, The Twilight Series and long epic fantasy series.

What do you do to relax?

My in-laws have a cabin located up beautiful Logan Canyon. No Cell Phone Coverage! I love to unplug and smell the pine trees.

What do you want to change most about your world?

I am very blessed to have a wonderful family and life. My current dream would be to become successful enough to only do the part of my job I love and delegate the rest.

What are you most proud of?

I’m in awe of my children every day.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?

I would encourage them to believe in themselves. So many people have asked me “how did you dare do it”. I ask, “How could I not”!

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?

My iMac computer. We spend a lot of time together.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?

A diamond. I feel that the challenges and trials in my life have formed and shaped me into what I am today.