MontanaSolarCreations Sponsor: Hip Mountain Mama

Today I want to share with you MontanaSolarCreations sponsor, Hip Mountain Mama.

I first discovered Hip Mountain Mama this spring. Since we live in a mountain town, right away the name caught my attention. When I visited the Hip Mountain Mama website, I knew I had found a new favorite online shop.

I absolutely love that everything they sell is either handmade by work from home families, small businesses, or fair trade!

Here I am in my beloved Hip Mountain Mama clothes: the Butterfly Love Skirt, the Wise Old Owl tshirt and the Feathers Tubular Headband.

Since I won this outfit in a very generous giveaway from Hip Mountain Mama (read more about it here), I asked Suzy from Hip Mountain Mama if she would like to be one of our sponsors for the "Fall in Love with Handmade" giveaway hop starting on September 1 so we can share the Hip Mountain Mama love with you, our readers.

We wanted you to get to know more about Suzy and her business so asked her a few questions to share with you:

MontanaSolarCreations: Tell us about your business.

Suzy at Hip Mountain Mama: Hip Mountain Mama is a small Mom and Pop business that strives to offer the most unique and fun products while spreading a peaceful vibe. We carry funky clothing, accessories, jewelry, and lots of fun eco friendly products for natural living

MontanaSolar Creations: What inspired you to create your business?

Suzy: I started my business when I was a stay at home mom to a 1 year old and 4 year old. I wanted to contribute to the household income while doing something I enjoyed. 

 MontanaSolar Creations: What makes your business unique?

 Suzy: We carry products that are made by other small businesses, often times by stay at home moms and dads. The majority of our products are hand made either in the USA or in India and Nepal where fair trade practices are always used. We feel that we are all connected in this life and it is very important to work with other people/organizations that are small, ethical, and working to make the world a better place. 

MontanaSolar Creations: How do you balance running a business with family life?

 Suzy:It isn't easy. I am basically a 1 woman show with a little help from my husband and kids. Things have gotten easier now that my girls are 5 and 8, but it has been quite the journey. I have learned to let things go...the laundry, the dishes, etc. and try to focus on what really matters. We get out of the house a lot which helps me to really concentrate on the kids needs. Most days things go pretty smooth and the kids understand that Mom needs to work. Then there are those days that don't go so smooth...but that is the life in any family! We just make it work!

 MontanaSolar Creations: What do you love most about where you live?

Suzy: I live in Colorado and really what's not to love? I really enjoy the outdoors and spend a lot of time camping, hiking, snowboarding, playing in rivers, and just hanging with friends outside. The landscape, the weather, and the people are all amazing!

   

MontanaSolar Creations: Is there anything else you want our readers to know?

Suzy: Along with being a small business, we also consider ourselves a green business. We run our business with Mother Earth in mind by using recycled paper products, purchasing wind power, reusing packing material, and selling products that are kind on our Earth.

Hip Mountain Mama is generously offering MontanaSolarCreations' readers 10% off your purchase now through October 1, 2012. Just use code "MSC" at check out.

Hip Mountain Mama is also generously offering a handmade item as part of our giveaway package in the "Fall in Love With Handmade" event that starts on September 1 so check back to find out what it is and to enter for your chance to win!