BUSINESS GROWS FROM HAIR BOWS

July Miller admired the few fancy hair bows she had seen and decided to try her hand at making a few for her daughter Jodie.

Those hair bows tied five years ago led to a home-based business for Miller, Little Jules Designs. Hers is one of many home-based businesses in Cape Girardeau County. She sells hair bows through home parties and also at Kids Wear Again in downtown Cape Girardeau.

"I noticed bows in the stores cost $15 and up. I thought that was ridiculously high," she said.

"I did a few personalized ones for Jodie and then some with rose buds," Miller said, sitting in her bedroom bow manufacturing facility. "Then some friends asked if I would do some for their daughters."

"I was an art minor in college and have always been kind of artsy," Miller said. Over the years, she has sewn clothing and done smocking. For a while, Miller made hair bows to match the smocking plates of a Sikeston company. The smocking company went out of business. Miller didn't.

"I wanted to stay home with my three kids," Miller said. "I started piddling and thinking how I might make this a business. I thought I might enjoy home parties."

For her first party she made up a dozen bows put them in a wicker basket and invited her friends. "I had one size and I think three colors. I had a good response. A girl at the party said she would have a party at her home."

The business grew. She now keeps dozens of bows on display in the bedroom showroom. Customers occasionally stop by to check out the new designs.

She hand paints all the designs. For Easter she has bunnies and eggs.

"I have over 300 designs," Miller said. "I do a lot of custom work. Customers will bring the clothes and I will make a bow for each outfit. I can paint it to match the print or the theme.

"These are all original ideas," Miller said. "Watermelons are my favorite, especially for summer."

At the beginning of each season, Miller prowls through stores checking out the new designs. "And usually the ribbon manufacturers always have the colors before the clothes are in the stores."

This spring, she said, nautical themes are popular so her new bows feature anchors and navy, red and gold colors.

"I tried selling some wholesale to stores out of state," she said. But she didn't enjoy that venture. Instead she decided to stick with the parties. This winter, she decided to offer the bows at a friend's shop, Kids Wear Again.

When business is brisk, Miller's husband, Tom, helps. "He helps glue, particularly if I have a lot to get done." They sit side by side gluing and painting. "We usually work after the kids have gone to bed," Miller said. "It gives us a chance to visit."

"It's nice to have this here in the house. I work when I want, at 6 in the morning or at midnight. It's real flexible with my kids. I can go to class Christmas parties or be available if one of them gets sick."

Miller's bows all cost less than $11. She uses top quality ribbon and hair clips. In fact, her daughter has worn the bows in the swimming pool with no damage.

She makes bows for infants and adults. "I have a lot of college girls who buy hair bows. I made some for the Central High cheerleaders," she said.

"Bows just kind of compliment the outfit," Miller said. "They make the outfits complete. And girls love them."