#SMASHTESSFAM FEATURE - SHAY MERRITT & MINDY CRAWFORD FROM TEAM JILLY
MEET SHAY MERRITT, MANAGING DIRECTOR & MINDY CRAWFORD, DIGITIAL MARKETING MANAGER FOR JILLIAN HARRIS DESIGN INC. (AKA JH THE BRAND OR TEAM JILLY)
Shay @shaymerritt and Mindy @mindyacrawford have two of the most sought-after jobs… working alongside Jillian Harris! While it may seem glamourous and fun (which it probably mostly is!), there’s so much hard work that goes into managing the brand. We love following along over on @JHthebrand where we can tag along behind the scenes for big photo shoots, sneak peeks, and more! We got to know the whole team during their Insta take overs but we wanted to pull the curtain back even further to get to know 2 of the original's from Team Jilly!
WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO FOR JILLIAN HARRIS DESIGN INC.?
SHAY: I’m the Managing Director of Jillian Harris Design Inc. and I manage the team, as well as Jilly lol! That along with ensuring the company is running smoothly, deadlines are met, money is coming in, partners are happy, etc. Every day is different and my role has evolved over the past 6 years (going on 7!!). Everyone on the team wears MANY hats but that’s what I love about working for a “small”-er business, you get to do a little bit of everything!
MINDY: I’m the Digital Marketing Manager which means I do everything from overall marketing strategy, creating our editorial calendar, social media management, content creation, coordination with the team, copywriting for our newsletter & blog, etc.
HOW DID YOU APPLY OR GET STARTED ON TEAM JILLY?
SHAY: My boyfriend nominated me on Jilly’s personal Facebook page, I wasn’t looking for a new job at the time. I met Jilly and Dana at Wholefoods in Vancouver, and they set up my email address the next day!
MINDY: I have known Jillian for a long time so when I noticed she was looking for someone to join the team, I sent my resume. I emailed her multiple times over the course of a couple of years and then finally one day she called me up out of the blue and offered me a part time job which turned full time a couple of months later!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SURPRISING THING ABOUT WORKING WITH JIILIAN HARRIS?
MINDY: In regards to Jillian, I would say how open and honest she is. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind or talk about topics that matter to her and I really appreciate that. On a career level, I would say it would be how many things we have on the go at once! Just when we think we can’t take on any more, we are challenged and pushed outside of our comfort zones and that’s where the magic happens!
SHAY: So true! I would say how down to earth, supportive, and real she is. She is so generous, forgiving, funny, and always down for a good time!! She will do absolutely anything for anyone even if she is completely maxed and she truly wants the best for everyone around her. She is everyone’s best cheerleader!
WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE THAT HAS SHAPED YOUR JOURNEY?
SHAY: That mistakes happen, to not be so hard on yourself… and remember to have fun! In my opinion, Jilly is the perfect example that you can be successful but still have fun while doing so! It makes me laugh at myself for my mistakes, learn from them, and it makes the daily grind that much more enjoyable.
MINDY: Don’t be afraid to show your journey and progress. We are all learning and figuring things out along the way and the coolest thing ever is to be able to look back and see first hand how much you’ve grown and how far you’ve come.
ONE TIP FOR BUILDING YOUR OWN BRAND OR BUSINESS?
MINDY: Stay true to yourself. You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea but that’s the beauty of it. There are ALWAYS going to be people out there who relate to you, who find inspiration through you, and who look up to you. When that happens, you’ll know you’re on the right track for the right reasons.
SHAY: Omg, that’s my tip too! I recently read a quote about being yourself because everyone else is taken. I find that to be so true, people want to see YOU, learn about you, and love you for who you are.
WHAT DOES YOUR ULTIMATE SUNDAY CONSIST OF?
MINDY: Prepping breakfast and lunches for the week, getting laundry done, cleaning the house, making an indulgent homemade dinner then lounging with my boyfriend, Jason, with a glass of wine in my hand!
SHAY: A ski or hike with my dog Moose, grocery shop and meal prep for the week, maybe a hot bath, clean sheets, and house tidy, and then in bed by 9PM because apparently, I’m a grandma lol!!
WHICH ROMPER IS YOUR EVERYTHING?
SHAY: My Leo Lounger in Annie Almond is definitely a fave … but I can’t wait to get my hands on the new Harris Hoodie, oh I also love the Shorty Romperalls and the Leopard Shorty … I could go on!
MINDY: The Leo Lounger in Pasutto Peach! I love the colour and the long sleeves! The Friday Romper in black is also at the top of my list!
CURRENT NETFLIX BINGE?
MINDY: Currently my boyfriend and I are binge watching Breaking Bad as he hasn’t seen it yet but I am OBSESSED with Queer Eye! LOVE the Fab Five!
SHAY: This is embarrassing but I don’t really watch TV (I don’t know when I would have time to binge watch anything these days??)… lol I think the last show I binge watched was Sons of Anarchy and/or the Wire like 9 years ago. Does that count even if they’re not on Netflix?? If anyone has any recommendations, send them my way!
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
SHAY: Jilly - Everything she does is inspiring.
Tyler Evans - she is so well spoken and knows the ins and outs of her client’s business’ and is such an inspiration - I want to be Tyler when I grow up lol!
Monika Hibbs - I am ALWAYS inspired by her creativity and absolutely love her home, design, photography, business direction.
Victoria Beckham - she did such a good job at transforming her brand from the spice girl days!
My friends - they live so freely and carefree, with not much social media which is so different from my world yet such an inspiration.
Locally run businesses - Chelsea from Barreroom, Nicole from Pomme, Erin from Man Woman - they are all powerhouses and work SO hard and are so selfless for their companies.
MINDY: My parents (Bruce & Wanda!), sisters (Tannis, Torry, and Sarah), my boyfriend (Jason), all of my incredible friends, Team Jilly (and everyone we work with, here’s lookin’ at you, Smash + Tess girls!), and so many more amazing people!
DESERT ISLAND BEAUTY PRODUCT?
SHAY: SkinCeuticals ANYTHING either phloretine or phyto. Or Saje Rose Face Mist... or maybe a lip chap of some sort? Oh gosh I feel like I need to think about this one more! Lol
MINDY: Just one? So tough! It would be between my SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator, “Bare Naked” lip gloss from Declaire Beauty, or bronzer … any bronzer.
WHICH GUILTY PLEASURE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS ARE YOUR FAVE INSTA-FOLLOWS?
MINDY:
@halfbakedharvet - She is the goddess of comfort food.
@willsmith - I love his humor, words of wisdom and appreciation for life.
@table_fortynine - She is HILARIOUS and crazy talented in the kitchen but what I love most is her determination and passion to work toward her dreams.
@thecrossdesign - Hello, decor dreamland.
@house_of_douglas - Adore her creativity.
@sarashakeel - Dentist turned award-winning crystal artist.
I could go on and on!
SHAY:
Sincerely Jules - Original influencer with the best style.
Happily Grey - Can I be her?
Julia Engel - Can her world be any more pink or beautiful?
Something Navy - She is so great at styling clothing.
Salty Blonde - I want her beer drinking, pizza eating, beach lounging lifestyle and everything is snapped with an iPhone!
Any golden retriever account - need I say more?
WHOSE POSTER DID YOU HAVE ON YOUR BEDROOM WALL WHEN YOU WERE 12 YEARS OLD?
MINDY: Whoa, now that’s a throwback! JTT, Devon Sawa and Freddy Prinze Jr! All. The. Way.
SHAY: I was such a tom boy growing up …. don’t judge!! It was definitely David Beckham, and the entire Brazil soccer team ie. Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Shay and Mindy are so much fun to work with and we couldn’t be more thrilled to announce another collection of Rompers designed by Jillian Harris!
The JH x ST Collection launches on October 23rd featuring TWO soft, and cozy Rompers made from a slightly thicker material, and both have hoods, pockets and an easy, breezy zipper!
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The Harris Hoodie (in Jillian Grey) and Jilly Jogger (in Charming Charcoal) are going to be your chill at home and out-and-about staples! Mark your calendar for 8am PST October 23rd, #smashtessgirls!