Jessica Castaneda - Babe With A Dream
Jessica Castaneda
Jessica Castaneda is the owner and designer behind Babe With A Dream, an apparel brand designed to empower and encourage women to pursue their dreams. Her designs feature retro inspired graphics that pay homage to the strong women of the 70s with sayings of empowerment, sisterhood, and girl power.
I LOVE her designs and the messages she shares, and Jessica is really on a mission to empower every woman she meets. From her online presence, to the pop-ups she attends, Jessica is well on her way to doing just that.
Jessica is also the host of the podcast, Hey Girlfriend, a collaborative space she created to empower, support, and inspire her girlfriends. On Hey Girlfriend, you are empowered, supported and heard. Each week Jessica chats with a girlfriend about topics relevant to the modern woman, while encouraging you to follow your dreams. I was so honored to be a guest on her show last year, and you can check out the interview here!
It’s really incredible what happens when we support one another and help give life to not only our dreams, but to the dreams of those around us. Jessica is a self-care advocate, and hopes to inspire her girlfriends to live a happy and fulfilled life. Through her brand, Jessica is collaborating and celebrating you, and it’s been so wonderful to connect with her over the last six months. I can’t wait for you guys to learn more about Jessica, Babe With A Dream, Hey Girlfriend and all of the other incredible things she’s up to!
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
My name is Jessica Castaneda, I am the Owner and Designer behind the brand Babe With A Dream. I create women’s and children’s t-shirts with retro inspired graphics. My tees have sayings of sisterhood, following your dreams and empowering woman to live happy and fulfilled lives. I created this brand because I really believe when women come together and support each other, incredible moments happen, connections are made and the strength in sisterhood is strong! Currently I am working on researching different non profits. My ultimate goal would be to partner with a women’s non-profit who’s mission aligns with mine and donate a portion of every sale to the organization. I would love to empower the woman wearing my tee and beyond.
How did you get started?
I worked in the apparel manufacturing industry for close to 10 years, after the birth of my second son I made the transition from Apparel Designer to stay at home mom. I was spending so much time with my little baby I started to miss the adult interaction of a professional working environment. What I was really wanting was connection, so I started a Podcast called Hey Girlfriend. It created opportunity for me to interact with powerful creative women and have honest conversations about their passion projects and businesses. It really gave me the courage to create something of my own.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
My family is my biggest inspiration, I want to create and build my business and show my children anything is possible. I am very proud to bring my children along to my t-shirt supplier and print shop, I think it’s important for them to see the work and energy their mother puts in. I have the freedom to create what I want and the luxury to include my family in the process. The first kids tee I designed said “Strong Like Mama” I think it’s important to teach our children about their mothers strength and I wanted a way to honor them.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
My biggest passion is creating authentic relationships and connections. I am living and breathing it! Being a small business owner that is the core of my business and essentially what’s helped me grow. I am at a different pop up every weekend, I meet so many women who tell me about a project they are thinking of creating and I encourage them to bring that project to life. I love getting texts or dm’s from a babe I’ve met and she’s telling me about the project she finally launched, I like to think our small interaction was maybe the push she needed. I was once her!
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
My family brings me so much love and joy! Both my children entered my life at very transformational times and have taught me so much about unconditional love and sacrifice. When I was pregnant with my first son Matias, I really needed his love. He taught me about my strength and how to be resilient. I was a single mother after I had him and he gave me the love I needed to really put myself first and get out of a unhealthy relationship. My baby Lucas gave me purpose, I was unfocused and not in alignment with my true purpose until I had him. After his birth it forced me to slow down and really spend time figuring out what it is I am truly passionate about. My husband Charles lights me up and makes me feel alive. His constant support and reassurance makes me feel like I could conquer the world if I wanted to!
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
I’m still a work in progress, I’ve realized I lack structure in a lot of areas. My business, my day to day tasks, and as a result I sometimes stretch myself too thin. I’m really active in attending self development and business strategy type workshops that help me implement more structure. I also have been trying to visualize a higher self, and what it would look like if my business became very successful. What could I create then and how that would allow me to help more people.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
I think my younger self would think I am a total badass, building my business with a baby on my hip! I’ve always been really good at multi-tasking!
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
I have a few affirmations I rotate depending on the day and the issue that arises. Often times it’s “I am enough” “love reciprocates love” and “Create with good intention.”
What is your biggest dream?
My biggest dream would be to see the generation of my children feel empowered and strong and limitless. I want them to dream big and be kind and support one another through brotherhood or sisterhood. I want them to know their value and demand more. I hope when they are adults there is no longer a pay gap between women and men and the little girls of my sons generation never have to say me too.
To learn more about Jessica and Babe With A Dream you can connect with her on Instagram @babewithadream_ and on her website https://www.babewithadream.com and check out her podcast Hey Girlfriend The Podcast on iTunes here
Joy Corner is a new interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here