What happens when a simple idea at the kitchen table grows into a multi-location, experience-driven brand?
In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok sits down with Jackie Garrett, founder of Viola Bloom, to talk about the real journey behind building a business that has evolved over 16 years.
Jackie’s entrepreneurial story began as a new mom who kept forgetting wet wipes while working remotely and caring for her daughter. That everyday frustration sparked the idea for a diaper bag that dispensed wipes — a product she first sewed herself at her kitchen table. What started as a personal solution slowly grew into an award-winning product, eventually catching the attention of major retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Buy Buy Baby.
But Jackie’s story is not a quick-growth highlight reel. It is a reminder that sustainable business growth takes patience, grit, timing, and the willingness to let your customers show you what they need next.
Over time, Viola Bloom evolved from a diaper bag company into a premium handbag and accessories brand featuring customizable bags, charms, jewelry, monogramming, and the signature Bag Bar experience. Jackie shares how listening closely to her customers helped guide her next decisions — from adding handbags to creating an in-store experience where customers can build something personal, joyful, and completely their own.
Jennifer and Jackie also talk about what it really takes to expand into multiple storefronts, including staffing, systems, community support, partnerships, and learning how to trust a team with your “baby.” Jackie shares how Viola Bloom now serves customers through retail stores, private parties, bachelorette events, corporate activations, and brand partnerships.
This conversation is full of encouragement for any business owner wondering why growth is taking longer than expected. Jackie’s story proves that timing matters, customer feedback matters, and the business you start may not be the business you are meant to grow forever.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
How Jackie turned a simple mom-life problem into an award-winning product
Why growth often takes longer than entrepreneurs expect
How Viola Bloom landed major retailers early in the business
Why timing played such a key role in the evolution of the brand
How customer feedback led Jackie from diaper bags to handbags, charms, jewelry, and the Bag Bar
Why experience-based retail can create new revenue opportunities
What it takes to open and manage multiple storefronts
How community, family, faith, and support systems helped Jackie stay the course
Why listening to your customers may be the smartest strategy for your next decision
Jackie’s story is a beautiful example of what happens when you solve a real problem, stay open to what your customers are asking for, and allow the business to grow in the direction it is meant to go.
Connect with Jackie Garrett and Viola Bloom:
Website: violabloom.com
Instagram: @vilahbloom
Locations: Walloon Village, Traverse City, and Parker’s Alley in Detroit
Meet Your Host:
Jennifer Kok, Profit and Growth advisor for service-based women entrepreneurs. Women Entrepreneurs hire me to scale and grow their businesses profitably without burnout. I bring financial clarity, strategic focus and structure to the decision-making process.
Because the truth is, business owners make decisions all day long, but the ones that really matter are often the hardest ones. Should I hire? Raise my prices? Invest in marketing? Let go of a draining client? Expand, or simplify?
My clients, on average, see anywhere between $1k-$4k increase in net income each month without hustle, overwhelm, and burnout.
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