Meet Jackie Ayers owner of Dyeology

My name is Jackie Ayres, owner at Dyetology. Tell us how you are involved in NAWBO. I joined NAWBO in Feb 2018 after I attended NAWBO’s “Good to Great” Meeting in January. It was amazing and I knew had to join NAWBO. I have been enjoying going to the meetings, hearing the inspiring speakers as well as meeting so many other women entrepreneurs. Tell us about your business. Dyetology is a line of unique, hand-dyed accessories and apparel using natural fibers (Rayon, Bamboo, Silk) founded and designed by me, Jackie Ayres. Everything is super-soft, comfortable and beautiful. Each is a unique piece of wearable art. What inspired you to get into your business? I was a Designer in Corporate for 17 years, designing women’s apparel and accessories for such brands as Bath and Body Works, Lane Bryant, and Thirty-One Gifts. Although I was in a creative job, I needed a creative outlet. My business was born out of my love for color and working with my hands. It gave me the creative outlet I was looking for. After 3 years of working my full-time corporate job and doing my business, I took the leap and went all in on my business. I wanted more for myself and my family and that inspired me to leave corporate. For the first 11 years of my son’s life, I was the absentee parent and I didn’t want any regrets. I didn’t want to be bawling my eyes out at his high school graduation with regret that I was never around. It was a huge decision as I was in my 40’s, had climbed the corporate ladder (so to speak) gotten a title and salary. But you know what? It’s been the best, most rewarding decision I’ve ever made. I want to encourage any woman, that if I can do it- she can too!! I didn’t have a ton of resources or even money. I didn’t come from a family of entrepreneurs. I am not a genius either lol. We can follow our dreams at any age! What are your three best practices or best tips that every NAWBO member needs to hear?

1. Take chances, the ones that make you sick to your stomach, often. It pushes you to do new things and afterwards, you’ll think to yourself “that wasn’t so bad”. You will also feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.
2. Get coaching or a mentor. I would not be where I am right now without my coaches. It’s been my biggest and best investment in my business and in myself.
3. Surround yourself with people and rituals/practices that uplift you and move you forward - like NAWBO. Years ago I made a switch, everything I listened to and read had to be “purposeful and meaningful”. Instead of listening to endless rabble on the radio when I was in the car, I listened to spiritual messages, self-help audiobooks and podcasts. It’s amazing the results what you feed your brain can have. This is also the same for my personal relationships. I love to spend time with people that make me feel “filled up” and upflited vs. drained and anxious!
4. Protect your time. It’s your most valuable asset. You can’t get it back. Every Sunday night I sit down and do my schedule for the week. I block my time out by the hour and by task- this includes personal appts, family events etc. I don’t do to-do lists anymore because I found I had so many things on the list that never got done since a to-do list doesn’t account for how much time each item will take. It has been life changing for me to allocate my time this way- I actually get things done and stopped the feeling of overwhelm that I found “to-do lists” gave me!
5. Feed yourself well and get your sleep- You can’t do anything for your business or family if don’t feel or think your best. I have to get at least 7.5 hrs of sleep a night or I’m off my game the next day. Even if you are a person that doesn’t necessarily feel the effects of lack of sleep, there’s so much research out there that outlines all the negative health consequences of not getting enough sleep. Same for food. You will be able to function at the top of your game both mentally and physically if you’re fueling yourself with nutrient dense, high-quality foods. ** I know that was 5 tips vs. 3. I’m an artist - we don’t follow the rules.

What does your future look like? Limitless. Optimistic. Exciting. Of course, I am looking to grow my business financially, but I am also looking to grow the business with partnerships and collaborations. I also want to be able to grow so I can find more ways to give back to the community. Right now we do a mission program with our socks, called Socks for Hope. Every pair of socks that a customer buys, we donate a pair to a local homeless shelter. We were already selling socks when I read an article that socks are the most needed clothing item in homeless shelters. I decided right then that was something I was going to do. It’s really rewarding and as the business grows, I want to figure out how to give back more.  I love our city so much as well as seeing the lens of need through my husband, who is a Columbus Police Officer- it makes me want to do more. He gives back every day to people that he comes across in his job. I feel compelled to keep up with him- ha!   What do you do in your free time? I work out, spend time with my family, and if I get to watch TV- its usually something related to True Crime! If Pearl Jam is on tour, my husband and I will travel to as many places as we can on their tour to see them. This past August, we took our 12 yr old son for his first time to see them at Wrigley Field. I told our son he doesn’t realize how lucky he is to see Pearl Jam at Wrigley for his first concert!  (See attached pic) What is your company website? www.dyetology.com In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life? Coaching- I am a fan of coaching!!! I have a life coach and a business coach and it’s changed my life in all aspects! What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or recent memory)? My Saucony Running Shoes, I wear them every day at some point in the day! What is the book (or books) you've given most as a gift, and why? Or what are books that have greatly influenced your life? I have given so many copies of “Outrageous Openness. Letting the Divine Take the Lead” by Tosha Silver. I have also read it numerous times. It’s a spiritual book but not your normal one, hard to explain so I took a quote from the book to sum it up. “At its heart, Outrageous Openness opens the door to a profound truth: By allowing the Divine to lead the way, we can put down the heavy load of hopes, fears, and opinions about how things should be”. Tosha is a master storyteller with a wicked sense of humor.