Happy Mother’s Day weekend, Smarties! We’re excited to introduce Jackie McFee, a fabulous and famous designer right in our very own backyard in South Charlotte! Jackie was “mominated” by her good bud, Sarah Churchill. Jackie is mom to Mateline (6), Elisabeth (4) and Jack (9 months) and is married to hubby, Matt.
On Jackie from Sarah:
As Jackie’s good friend, Godmother to her son, and having the privilege of being her publicist, I think she is a sure pick for Smarty Mom! She and her husband, Matt, have been living in Charlotte for over 8 years and have 3 children. She balances being a mom and home life with a passion she loves and gets paid for doing it well! Jackie is a very successful designer, and with Carolina Pad she has changed the way people buy boring everyday paper products. Her fabulous designs are found on school and office supplies in major retailers across the country including Target, Wal-Mart, Staples, Office Max, K-Mart, etc. She has a huge fan base from tweens to women of all ages. More importantly, Jackie has found a way to turn her passion into supporting different causes including designing an exclusive collection for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of her young cousin, Kendall Sierens, who was diagnosed with leukemia. In just six months in 2008, she personally donated almost $40K dollars to the Society. We are excited she is continuing the partnership next year.
I think Jackie is an inspiration to all women who are thinking of pursuing what they love and truly making an impact. You can do both and do it well.
Meet Jackie!
What is the biggest challenge about fostering a successful career and balancing your family life?
There are only 24 hours in a day.
Tell us, what inspired you to create your precious product line?
To quote my grandmother – Life is not a dress rehearsal – this is all you get – so MAKE IT COUNT! I TRULY believe that anything is possible in this world.
What is your greatest accomplishment with your career?
The leap of faith my husband and I took to move to Charlotte from New York and begin the journey of a lifetime with Clay Presley and Carolina Pad.
What is your best piece of advice to other Smarty “Mompreneurs”looking to start their own business?
ALWAYS, ALWAYS listen to your gut. . . and sleep is overrated.
Now tell us more about your family, what is your favorite family activity?
Going to the beach to reconnect, hang out, cuddle and laugh.
What is your favorite date-night spot?
Date night? What’s that??????????
What is your favorite restaurant to take the whole fam?
Brixx Pizza
What is the funniest thing your child has ever said to you?
It can’t be put into print!
What is the best children’s birthday party you have ever attended or hosted?
We’ll find out on Sept. 14th 2009 when my little boy turns one!
Minivan or SUV?
Minivan (insert big sigh here) …but denial is a wonderful thing, I swear it’s a BMW 7 series…
Best thing about raising your family in Charlotte?
Without a doubt – quality of life !!! Charlotte has a great vibe, great restaurants, great schools, great neighborhoods, it’s just a great city, and I love being surrounded by so many inspiring and cool people every day.
I could not live without…
My iPhone, my Pantone swatchbook, and a really, really good glass of red wine.
Thanks, Jackie and Sarah! If you have a “momination”, please email us here. We’d love to hear from you! And a very Happy Mother’s Day goes out to all of our Smarty moms!!
3 comments
Wish her interview was longer and a bit more insightful like the others.
I am so lucky to work at Carolina Pad with Jackie and thrilled she is a Smarty Mom! Her passion, energy, dedication and drive are inspirational. And she, of course, her designs are off the charts amazing!
I had the privilege of getting to know Jackie through the Ministry of Mother Sharing at St. Matthew. She is an amazing woman. She once shared with us a powerful analogy that has always stuck with me. In discussing the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive people who bring out the good in us she compared it to people who are “balcony dwellers”…they bring us up and help us see the beauty in life and then there are “basement dwellers” who bring us down with negativity. How true this is! She made a huge impression on me and since then I have really worked hard to not only surround myself with “balcony dwellers” but I’ve also worked hard to stay on the balcony of life myself! Thanks Jackie!