Meet Julie Lyon | Founder of Third Day Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Lyon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I grew up in a family business. My parents started a handmade home decor business in 2001. They focused a lot on wholesale at first, but now they focus most of their business online on Etsy. Growing up, I helped them a lot with their product photography, social media, and even graphic design. Business is basically in my blood. I started Third Day Co. at the beginning of 2022, with no prior experience in embroidery. I had been sewing for 9 years, but had never touched an embroidery machine. Yet, I wanted to give it a try, because I knew the endless possibilities that it would open for me. After some research to determine the best embroidery machine for my purposes, I made the investment. When I got my machine, I figured, “how hard can it be?” Sure enough, embroidery isn’t easy to figure out. I ruined at least 5 different t-shirts and sweatshirts within a couple weeks. I spent hours upon hours trying to understand the machine and what I was doing wrong. Probably a month later, I finally figured out the magic combination of supplies and settings for what I needed. It was finally time to go into mass production mode 🙂

Watching my parents’ business flourish instilled a entrepreneurial spirit in me. I love to be creative and design new products and graphics for my business. I also love to be independent, so overall, starting my small business has been a great decision.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been working full-time since I was 16 years old. I worked at Chick-fil-A for two years, where I worked as the Front-of-House Closing Manager. I usually worked 50+ hour work weeks and loved it! I have always liked staying busy and productive, so being a manager at Chick-fil-A was a very good fit. Before I became a manager, I was working three part-time jobs at the same time. I worked as a Chick-fil-A team member, I worked at my church in childcare, and at my church in toy cleaning. I was doing all of this while still in high school “full-time.” When I became a manager, I quit childcare. I eventually also quit toy cleaning to focus on Chick-fil-A and school. I stayed with Chick-fil-A for two years. I now work at Stonebriar Community Church as the Community Care Ministry Coordinator. I have been working there for about 5 months now.

My whole career history just goes to show that hard work helps you overcome challenges. However, I could definitely not have done it on my own. Throughout my life, I strive to put Christ at the center. I want my life to be a representation of His love. Thus, I do my best to reflect that in my brand. Third Day Co.’s vision is to personalize each customer’s experience, so that they feel unique, and realize that just like our products were handmade with a purpose and intent, God made them with a purpose and intent.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting the area, I would take him to some fun activities nearby, like TopGolf, Andretti’s, or Main Event. Some of my favorite restaurants in the area are Potbelly’s Sandwich Shop, Layne’s Chicken Fingers, Slim Chickens, and Eggsquisite Cafe, so those would be some great food options. I also love the local “Coffee and Book Shoppe.”

If my all-time, most favorite band, Big Time Rush, was in town, I would also take him to that concert 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents have been very influential to my business. I probably would not have started my business if it weren’t for theirs. Any time something goes right or wrong, they are the first to know. I always go to them with my new design ideas, to get their opinions. They give me valuable business advice, and I am very grateful for that.

Website: thirddayco.etsy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirddaycompany/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdddayco

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thirdday_co/