Des Moines Mom recognizes that moms wear a lot of hats. You are a mom, wife, friend, diaper changer, nose wiper, meal planner, lost toy finder, the list goes on and on!
This summer we are thrilled to feature some local moms who are thinking outside the box and making a difference in our community through the businesses they own, organizations they are involved with, and work they do. Check out the rest of the series and read profiles from previous years here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
My name is Janessa Lindsey. I am 26 years old. I met my husband, Jerrae, when I was 16 years old and on August 12 we will celebrate 6 years of marriage. Together we have a 3-year-old daughter, Raegan, who is probably the smartest toddler I’ve ever met! We own 2 businesses – Lindsey Love Beauty and Uncle Jay’s Barbering Company. My husband is a full-time barber, barbershop owner, and Co-Owner of A-List Studios, a full-service salon and spa in Clive, Iowa. I graduated from Iowa State University in 2019 with a B.A. in Political Science and am currently a Legal Administrative Assistant for Dentons Davis Brown (law firm) in Des Moines. I am also the full-time owner and operator of Lindsey Love Beauty.
What do you consider the biggest challenge of motherhood to be? Biggest joy?
One of the greatest challenges of motherhood for me is time. Mommy guilt is real and I feel like I never have enough time (or energy) to be everything Raegan deserves. My greatest challenge is also my greatest joy. Spending time with Raegan is the most rewarding thing! Nothing in the world compares to seeing her growth as the little human I created.
How/when did you start Lindsey Love Beauty? What was your inspiration?
I started Lindsey Love Beauty in 2019. At the time I was a wife, a new mom (Raegan was 5 months), exclusively breastfeeding, a full-time college student commuting from Des Moines to Ames, and a full-time employee at Nationwide. Even though I was doing all of that, I still struggled with my identity. I started Lindsey Love Beauty to create a lane for myself and empower myself as a woman. I was inspired by my daughter because I want her to one day grow up and know women CAN have it all and we deserve it all.
What’s the best part about being your own boss?
The best part about being my own boss is being able to set and achieve my goals on my own accord. I’m only competing against and answering to myself. It has taught me a level of accountability I never knew existed before starting a business.
What’s the hardest part about running your own business?
The hardest part about running my own business I definitely having to wear every single hat. If I don’t do it, it won’t get done. I make the products by hand, am the customer service center, operations manager, social media manager, shipping and fulfillment, and the list goes on. It’s definitely exhausting
What do you wish you knew when you started?
Entrepreneurship is not the easy way out! You will work longer, harder hours with little return in the beginning but if you keep going it will be worth it
What do you love about raising a family in Des Moines?
Des Moines is a small town with big city heart. There’s lots to do if you’re looking for it. It’s safe and the cost of living is very reasonable.
Quick Takes:
Favorite local restaurant: Rico’s at Drake
Best place to take kids Gameday
Favorite summer activity: walking at Grey’s Lake, Adventureland water park
What’s the last show you watched, thing you listened to, or book you read? The Bachelorette
How/where do you relax? I relax by being in bed by 10 p.m. and getting 8 hours of sleep every night
If your life had a hashtag, what would it be? #Seeitthrough
Know a Des Moines mom we should feature? Let us know! Email [email protected] with details and we will be in touch.
