Lemons to lemonade feature #28: Shannon Wilburn & Daven Tackett

Mom entrepreneurs Shannon Wilburn and Daven Tackett are the founders and owners of Just Between Friends, which offers children's, teens, and maternity clothes on consignment at seasonal events around the country.

They started the company in 1997 with the hope and dream of making a little extra money and clothing their children at the same time. In just 11 short years, that goal has been accomplished as well as so much more.

Unfortunately, their franchise has not yet reached New England. After reviewing their website and informational videos though, I am in love with the idea. In New Hampshire, we have the Children's Orchard, which has a small selection of kids clothing and items. And when you try to sell merchandise to them, you are offered very little money in return.

Shannon and Daven are moms to two children each who were all very young when the company started. Three are now teenagers, and what a great life lesson they have been exposed to - their moms creating and growing a multi-million dollar business. Here is their story...

How has this economy affected you, your business and your family?
When gas and everything else goes up, families still continue to have the same needs for their children as they always have. Like other parents, we may not be able to provide for all of our kids’ wants, but the basic needs are still the same and JBF offers families an affordable way to buy what they need, while offering an excellent way for moms and dads to sell the gently-used items their kids have outgrown or no longer use.

How are you making lemonade from lemons?
When the economy turns to lemons, Just Between Friends’ kids’ consignment events offer more than 115,000 American moms the sweet deals they need for their children to make endless, refreshing lemonade.

JBF makes good sense in any economy, but when times are tough, we try even harder to get the word out so that any mom who wants to can participate as a consignor, shopper and volunteer. We know how sweet saving money can be and that making money is even sweeter.

“Just Between Friends franchise owners are savvy, bargain shoppers who know best how to save money in every aspect of their family budget,” said Daven. “We love it when a mom ‘gets us’ and lights up at all of the great bargains she finds at our sales. But it makes us even happier to send out large checks after each sale and know that we have helped hundreds of families make their mortgage or car payment that month.”

Any encouraging words you would like to offer mom entrepreneurs?
Focus on your passion and let it sweeten your life and your career. If you love what you are doing, others will feel that energy and enthusiasm and embrace who you are and what you are about. You will be tested and tried, but remain focused on what you love and why you got into your business in the first place.

For more information, visit jbfsale.com.