Have you heard of the Erinn Cardigan?! Worn by none other than myself (haha) and Jillian Harris! Well, now you can meet the maker & learn more about how she started her dream shop, The Skinny.
1)What is your business name & how did you come up with it?
‘The Skinny’ was actually something my husband came up with! It plays with the old saying, “What’s the skinny” or “Give me the skinny” on the 411, the scoop, etc….. and It’s something my grandfather always used to say, so an added touch of nostalgia for myself. I also wanted something catchy that you couldn’t forget, and I felt it would be a great conversation starter! Sort of like my impossible last name…..
2) What year did you start your business?
We launched online in 2014. A month before my twins were born (Yes, I’m insane). We moved to our first small 350 sq ft. space downtown in the Mercer Building in 2015, and then I made the big move to the Malls about 1.5 years ago.
3) What was your dream job growing up?
I actually always wanted to be an actress! I used to do commercials when I was younger and the acting bug bite me hard. At the time, however, Canada wasn’t the easiest place to pursue that dream.
4) What lead you to your job today / what is your “why”?
My ‘why’ is 100% my 3 boys. I have a 6 year old and twin 4 year olds. When my oldest son was born, I realized I wanted a job that could allow me the freedom to enjoy being a present mama, but also keep me sane enough to have something creative to work on (I quickly figured out I’m not best at the Stay-at-home title, but truly believe it’s the hardest job there is!). So I created something! And that’s how The Skinny was born (I also ran a blog that was getting a little spotlight, which also helped catapult the online business for The Skinny rather quickly, too!)
The boys keep me busy, that’s for sure, but I also feel the luckiest woman in the world to be able to get up everyday and do what I do, while also being able to attend my son’s grade one field trips or be the person at school drop-offs/pickups. I made this dream happen to support all that. I wanted time with my kids while they are young enough to still want me around and my previous employment was a more structured 9-5.
5) What characteristic(s) do you think set you apart from other people in your industry?
Oh, tough question! Perhaps it’s my passion for the business. For always learning and taking calculated risks. I’m a self taught entrepreneur. I’m a self taught designer. A self taught marketer / accountant / shipper / exporter and overall business operator! As a small business you really do wear MANY hats! haha. I love to learn, mostly through trial + error. I get that from my grandpa. I believe in hard honest work, and I truly bust my ass to make things happen. I also heavily rely on thinking outside the box in tough situations and thrive on stress or deadlines. I think passion is contagious.
6) How do you define success?
If you had asked me this question when I was younger, you’d get a much different answer, but I truly define Success as being happy with yourself. Cheesy, I know, but it’s true. I struggle everyday with wanting ‘bigger’, ‘better’, ‘more’ but as I get older I’m realizing that success is really just a state of mind. If you feel happy, you will be. If you feel successful in life, then you are.
I also believe that it takes a village to help grow a business, so I define a lot of my success to the small team I’ve built around me. I feel pretty ‘successful’ knowing they wake up each day choosing to support this business of mine wholeheartedly.
7) Who inspires you most?
Easy – My grandpa, Norm. He was the hardest working man I know. He ran a successful real estate business, employed hundreds of people and also farmed thousands of acres in his free time. The man was a machine. Sadly he passed 15 years ago now, but I think of him daily. I have his photo in my office and it reminds me constantly to be the best person I know how to be.
8) What advice would you give yourself when you were first starting out?
I’d probably tell myself to not be so damn hard on myself all the time! I’m the worst self critic.
I’d also tell myself that ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’, which is also something that I remind myself of daily (it’s just so easy with social media these days to compare – it’s human nature). Oh, and also “follow your own path”, reminding myself to do my own thing. Again, this goes back to the comparison point, but when I keep my head down and follow my gut/heart, generally magic happens.
9) What is your favourite motivational quote?
I have a few….
1) “It’s all messy: The Hair. The Bed. The Words. The Heart. Life…” William Leal
2) “The Way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” Walt Disney
3) “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right” Henry Ford
4) “Comparison is the thief of joy” Theodore Roosevelt
10) How do you attain a work / life balance?
I’m probably the worst person to ask this, as I’m still figuring that one out myself! It’s the thing I struggle with most. However, lately I’m finding that working with a schedule is saving my life. I’m learning to block off time to be a mama and to be a boss. I truly don’t want my boys remembering Mama on the phone or laptop all the time.
I’m even starting scheduling in dates with my husband weeks in advance or life gets in the way and it’ll never happen! haha! I also think putting in a little self-care is important. Another thing I fail at miserably but 2019 is going to be a big year for that. Watch out day-timer I’m coming for ya 😉
10) Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Oh, the dreams I have! lol. These next few years will be focusing on my company branding and building our own line of products under our name. I truly feel that helps a brand find their voice and building on that. I’m also looking at a 2nd location…..
11) What are 3 super random facts about you?
1) I always use a fork and knife to eat pizza!
2) I can’t say the word “vitamins”. I mix up the m and the n and it sounds like “Vitanims”.
3) This one is kind of vain, but comes from a good heart…I always “like” every picture i post on social media, whether it’s of my kids, my business, or myself! lol. It started when i was feeling sad that a certain person/image/product didn’t get a lot of love and I wanted to support them and now it’s just a habit that I can’t stop. Besides! If I’m posting it on social media, I probably love it anyways! So isn’t that the point?
Erinn is such an inspiration. Her hard work and passion truly shine through in everything she does. If you haven’t already, check out The Skinny in Southgate Centre or online! You can also follow along on their Instagram to see heaps of products and outfit ideas!
