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Last month I had the opportunity to interview two women who I consider Falls Church's behind the scenes superheroes, Jen Keefer and Karyn Bowen! Link and Layer, a Falls Church based web and technology design firm, have created some of the websites you know and love including The Toy Nest, Watercolor Cookies and Balanced Female Fitness. I don't want to give too much about them away - read on to hear about how they started their business, their passion and what they love most about where they live. These two women are talented, motivated and a perfect choice for our Local Mom Boss Edition!
1. What is your name? What is the name of your business?
Jen Keefer, Technology Director @ Link & Layer
Karyn Bowen, Creative Director @ Link & Layer
2. What inspired or encouraged you to start your business in our area?
Jen: In 2017, I went back to college to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media & Web Technology at UMGC. (It’s never too late! It had been almost 20 years since I had last gone to college.) I graduated in December 2019 and was looking at ways to use my new skills and maintain my flexible work schedule. Creating a business seemed like a great fit. Karyn and I had known each other from working together at Dulin Cooperative Preschool in Falls Church and had found that we worked very well together. Creating a partnership seemed like the perfect fit.
Karyn: After having kids I took a step back from full time employment and started working freelance anytime I could get a spare minute (lots of cranking out work during nap times, late nights, and on the weekends). Now that my kids are a bit older and in school, I was looking to take my career and client partnerships in my own hands. After talking with so many women in the area with entrepreneurial visions, and meeting Jen at the preschool, it felt like a no brainer to collaborate and offer web and graphic design to women starting small businesses.
3. What do you love about your work?
Jen: I enjoy learning new skills to make websites function well. I enjoy working with a partner whose skills complement my own, and who thinks and plans like I do. I enjoy meeting new business owners and seeing their business come to life on their website. I LOVE working from my house (or my car, or the park, the pool…) from my computer. I am able to be in a comfortable environment and be productive. It offers me the flexibility to work at my own pace and take projects that are fulfilling, while at the same time being available for my family.
Karyn: I love the collaboration with other people who are passionate about what they do. It is so exciting to put our heads together and achieve a website or design that perfectly reflects their business. I also love the flexibility that starting Link & Layer has given me. I can fulfill my passion while also being around for the big and small moments for my family.
4. What advice do you have for others wanting to start a business?
Jen: Look for options to automate tasks, such as online forms and bill pay. Utilize shared documents to create digital workspaces for your clients and your business partners. Starting a business can feel scary, but it is SO worth it. Do something you love and it does not feel like work!
Karyn: Go for it! You may never feel qualified or ready enough to go out on your own, but you’ll never learn better than while on the job. I’ve also found that people appreciate authenticity. People will be eager to work with you and follow you if your work is genuine. And that goes for both in person and online connections--make sure your branding and online presence is authentic to who you are.
5. What do you do to take care of yourself and how do you make time to do it, especially right now?
Jen: I build daily self care into my schedule. My kids are fairly independent now, so I am able to build time for myself. I use daily dog walks to prepare for the day ahead, and give thanks for my many blessings. I exercise in the mornings (at home:) and spend time reading at night.
Karyn: Whew, Covid did a number on self care! Some days self care looks like exercise and logging off the computer at a reasonable hour. Other days self care looks like a patio happy hour with a good friend!
6. What can we do to support you in the community?
Jen: Women running a business and a family have a lot to juggle, and need to support each other personally and professionally. We all want it all, but the truth is we all have to make choices and prioritize. Supporting and promoting these women and businesses allows others to follow their lead. Networking options to reach the community with their stories, business and services are always helpful, even if they are online for now :)
Karyn: Our favorite way to find new clients is through word of mouth. We want to make sure any collaboration we go into is a good fit for both of us! And there’s no better way to make sure we’re a good fit than hearing directly from our past clients. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or check out our website to see our past work. We can’t wait to work with more women-owned small businesses!
7. What is your (or your family’s) favorite spot in our area?
Jen: My family loves small neighborhood parks that are less frequented, such as Luria Park and Holmes Run trail in Falls Church. We enjoy walking, biking and exploring the streams that are tucked in between all the houses and neighborhoods. We are lucky to have so many parks and green space inside the beltway and so close to our home.
Karyn: We love checking out kid-friendly hiking trails. Great Falls and Difficult Run are recent favorites of ours. There’s nothing better than a cold beer after a hike so we’ve been visiting Audacious Aleworks quite a bit, too. The kids have also really enjoyed borrowing toys from The Toy Nest this summer!
Thank you so much Jen and Karyn! You are true Mom Bosses! If you know someone who would be a great fit for our monthly feature, please email me at aliciacarmody@macaronikid.com!
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