Hello everyone. We have decided to start a blog so we can share our crazy journey with you.
We are a set of sisters by marriage that has started a business together. As our business has grown - we have added a 3rd small partner.
As we added products to our line, Treasa began to research (she researches everything) where we could get high quality products but keep our prices low. During this journey, we were highly frustrated by boutique prices! We wanted to provide top notch boutique styles at prices teachers (and others) could afford.
My name is Elizabeth. I started The Savvy Teacher in 2014 to help fund my daughter’s love of gymnastics. She started competing in 2013 as an 8 year old and continues today as a level 8 Tumbling and Trampoline gymnast.
I am Treasa. I joined the Savvy Teacher when I kept sticking my nose in the business. I am a Science teacher, wife, and mom. I love being creative and trying new things. I am known as the nut ball in the group, which is amusing because I don’t seek out social situations. If there’s music I’m going to be the one dancing and trying to embarrass Reagan and Elizabeth. I love the design process of both putting together our booths and the products, as well as our online presence. This has been a fantastic outlet for the creative side of my brain.
I’m Reagan! I started helping my mom, Elizabeth, with her business a couple years ago, then decided I wanted to own part of it. As my mom said, I do gymnastics and I’m currently team captain. Other hobbies of mine are FFA, sewing, and petting any animal I see. In the business I help bring a perspective as a teenager and give ideas that no one listens to.
Elizabeth - I started out making wreaths and door hangers. I began to sell them at small local shows and Farmer’s Market. I became a vendor at a local antique store and I began to add my own t-shirts, boutique kids and ladies clothes over the next year. As I began to branch out into clothing - I found myself seeking out assistance from Treasa for ideas on shirt designs.
Treasa here. I got roped into this circus when Elizabeth was working on shirts and I would give shirt ideas (that would actually sell). Then we would brainstorm show designs and the next thing I knew I was at shows. Oh and I kept recommending things that she should make. Finally Elizabeth looked at me and said, why do you make the tumblers that you love so much! She’s so sassy... really only to Reagan and me . She is definitely the sweet one when it comes to the rest of the world.
Reagan! Me getting started was funny. As a gymnast and a teenager, I use scrunchies a lot, so I decided to make some. First, I hand sewed one and went to show Treasa. I said “I made something that is new!”. She looked at me like I was crazy and said “Honey, scrunchies aren’t new.” She gave me a sewing machine and I started making them to sell.
Elizabeth - I design and make the t-shirts, blankets, home decor and other knick knacks. We all three shop for boutique clothes together. I plan the shows we attend and then the girls plan our lay-out/set up of the shows and the store we are in. Only because of logistics, I check on the store during the week (OK - I drive by it every day coming home from work - so me checking in only makes sense). I research t-shirt and kids boutique trends and adjust my custom shirt designs as I go. Every now and then, Treasa or Reagan has to say “OK Liz - NO MORE _________” (that has been leopard, cows, chickens, etc).
Oh no, Treasa’s back - I plan things. Sometimes those plans happen. But really, I brainstorm the set ups for shows and the booths. I send and create some of the shirt designs but now I put my focus mostly on creating our Tumbler line. I love the artistic side of creating my tumblers. I am super picky about how my tumblers come out and I cannot tell you how many have gone into the strip pile because they don’t meet my standards. My world consists of taking care of my daughter, teaching my classes, and creating new tumbler designs. On top of that, I also put together our digital footprint as The Savvy Teacher.
As Reagan, my role is to get the old ladies to make stuff that is trendy not just something they like. I teach them social media as well. As the youngest owner I like to get on their nerves about staying on track, mainly my mom. I sew the scrunchies, dog bandanas, dog collars, headbands, and sometimes masks. I make them laugh at the stupid stuff I say, do, and find on Tik Tok. At craft shows my role is to talk to the little kids and make them laugh.
Elizabeth - I hate to have that cliché answer - but my family is the most important thing to me. I grew up in various large towns in Texas. My dad was a banker and during the 80’s when banks were merging - we would move every time the bank my dad worked for merged. I graduated high school in El Paso and moved to Belton to attend college. While in college, I met my husband (we’ve been married 25 years). We have 2 wonderful kids - Riley and Reagan. Treasa and her husband Chris moved in next door to us. To say family is important is an understatement.
Treasa’s world - My world revolves around my family. I come from a large, loud, Texas family. I have it my mission in my marriage to train my amazing husband in the art of having a loud family! Chris and I have been married for 14 years and have one beautiful, spitfire of a daughter. My small family has been directly impacted by huge health concerns with my husband Chris, so my daily life is regularly dictated by our choices for his health. We have been blessed that we were able to buy the house next door to Chris’ brother. Who just so happens to have married the lady that would become my best friend and chosen sister! So when a series of storms blew down our shared fence we chose to leave it alone. So dogs, kids, and grown adults can often be found travelling back and forth between the two houses. Psst. There’s a she-shed in our future.
Reagan’s crazy life- I love my family! Traveling with them and hanging out in our home arcade makes me the happiest. I love having my aunt and uncle next door, because it's just more family to hang out and laugh with. Words couldn’t describe the relationships I have with my family and how much they mean to me. We wouldn’t have this business if it wasn’t for me doing gymnastics. Gymnastics has always been my hobby and I have learned a lot from it, so my team and coaches are super important to me as well.
Elizabeth - This is my 26th year as an educator. I joke that when I retire from my “day job”, I want to open my own retail brick and mortar store. In all reality - I would love to own my store one day with my wonderful partners. What a fun “work day” that would be! Could you imagine going to work with your best friend every day, getting to shop for the store and then “crafting” to put things in the store EVERYDAY? We would have so much fun (and probably get into some trouble along the way). I do know we would LAUGH ALL DAY LONG!
Treasa’s idea - I would love to see this grow into a brick and mortar creative outlet! My goal would be to create a store that is comfortable for people of all ages and backgrounds to come in and shop. We keep joking that we would make the store look like a classroom! Wouldn’t it be great to have “crafting classes” and inclusive shopping times?
Reagan’s plans- Since I’m only 15 I have a lot to do still. I want to try sewing new things when I get time. Making a dog collection is my current step. As I get older, I want to continue to help with the business while I’m in college. After college I want to pursue a job in marine biology or big animal veterinarian.
So as you can see, we all have a different part of our business. We each add a fun and unique perspective. We love what we do and can’t wait to see where this crazy adventure takes us.
