1. Company profile
Tyler Mackenzie Designs are beaded, stackable bracelets using various wood and gemstone beads mixed with gold and silver accents. Stylish and affordable!
2. How did you get into this business?
I bought some beads and started stringing bracelets for fun. I was wearing them all the time and then started making them for my friends. They all suggested that I start selling them. I wanted people to be able to wear them in a stack and not just purchase one, so each bracelet is priced between $15 and $22! I saw so many similar designs out there that cost a lot more, and most people want to be able to buy 3, 5, 7 or more…and not break the bank!
3. What/who inspires your designs?
No one, really. I just sit on my bed with my box of beads and my box of spacers. I start stringing with the beads and then grab spacers and see what works!
4. Biggest business moment?My proudest moment was selling to my first store, Just Between Friends, in Deerfield, IL. They have a great business with great traffic, and I was thrilled to have my designs there!
5. How do you find the time to create your designs with a family? How do you manage your work and your family?
I am very lucky that both of my children are very independent (7 and 2 and 1/2). If I have a large order to fill and need to bead during the day, my daughter will play by herself with her barbies, dress up clothes, animals, etc… At night, I am usually sitting on the bed beading while they are both watching tv before bed. My husband has become accustomed to being with me…and my box of beads!!! When we watch tv or a movie at night, I’m usually making bracelets! It has become a part of our routine!
6. What are your hobbies/what do you do for yourself?
I spend a lot of time at the gym. I am currently OBSESSED with spinning, and get such a rush out of the sweaty workout! I also enjoy bargain shopping, either in stores or online…when I have the time.
7. What is your favorite mom tip or advice?
I want to tell all new moms that don’t have time to shower, are up half the night with screaming babies that won’t go back to sleep after their bottle, or have kids that won’t take naps during the day when they need a little break….IT GETS BETTER…I PROMISE!!!! I have two amazing children that were both very difficult the first six months. My son whined all day long, and my daughter would not sleep unless I was holding her! They are now WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL kids!!!
8. Describe your (collection) style in 3 words.
Trendy, Stylish, Affordable!!
Check out the Tyler Mackenzie Facebook page for more info on Lauren’s designs. Click here to win a set of Tyler Mackenzie Designs Bracelets.
These cupcakes were a cute and easy way to celebrate the holidays at my son’s school. I’m not going to lie, I felt some pressure to deliver when I was named as one of the moms in charge of the winter holiday party. (You should see what some of the moms at school do.) And then I heard myself volunteering to bake. (A weak moment which I’ll blame on sleep deprivation.) While I do enjoy cooking and baking, I’m not really the Susie Homemaker type…I mean, my form of exercise is pole dancing, I love swearing and I don’t host a weekly playgroup at my home. But I wanted to create something the kids would find cool. And of course I wanted my son to be proud of his mama.
I was in desperate need of coffee. We were on vacation in Cape Cod, but vacation takes on a whole new meaning with kids. My little guy had been up at 5am 2 mornings in a row and I was beat. I asked my mother-in-law to watch him while I ran into the 
If you were the type of bride who loved having a wedding planner, than we have found the duo for you! Ellie & Melissa, The Baby Planners run the nation’s #1 baby concierge service. They offer a range of services that as they say “take the labor out of delivery” Some of the services include Baby Registry Plans, Nursery Neccessity Plans even a Grandparent plan! Here is a smattering of other things they do 
