Meet Shannan Hays | Just Between Friends Owner, Broomfield/Brighton & Aurora

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

Hi Shannan, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Opportunities that come around are not FOR you, but to be used THROUGH you to serve others.” I was at the beginning of a very special opportunity when a friend and mentor of mine said this on a team call. It spoke to me at the right time in my journey and opened my eyes to what this opportunity really was.

Have you ever been drawn towards something and not sure why? Felt that “tug” that you can’t quite figure out? Did you follow it? My name is Shannan Hays and that’s exactly what I felt and exactly what I did.
Since 2001 I have worked as, at first a manager, and currently as a Controller, for the biggest foodservice provider in the world. In 2016, I was able to take a step back and maintain my Controller job in a remote and part-time role that I am forever grateful for. This opportunity gave me some time back that I could redirect to serve my family. My son was 5 years old at the time and it has been wonderful these past 7 years being more
available to him and his gamut of activities.

By 2020, I was ready for the next right thing in my life and followed the TUG to take a look at owning a Just Between Friends franchise. Kids grow fast and they constantly outgrow ALL-THE-STUFF- clothes, shoes, toys, gear, books, games, and the list goes on. Just Between Friends is a children’s and maternity pop-up consignment extravaganza that happens twice a year. The concept is brilliant, but I cannot take credit for that. It was started 20 years ago by 2 moms in Oklahoma who were simply trying to find a way to repurpose their children’s outgrown clothes and make a little cash on the side. The concept of consignment was perfect- the event organizer could make a small profit and so could the seller. Families with children entering their next stage of life had a plethora of high quality items with lots of life left in them to choose from, and at a much lower cost than buying new from a local retailer. This concept was so well received by their friends and neighbors with kids that there are now over 150 franchises across the country.

I had been originally drawn to the scene as a consignor and a helper in previous years and really felt at home in the organized chaos that embodied a pop-up (enormous) consignment sale. After many discussions with my husband and immersing myself in a few sales, I knew in my soul that this was the next right thing. Now I own not one, but two, Just Between Friends franchises in Colorado. It’s community, recycling, family, and friendship all rolled up in a practical and fun venture.

I am so thrilled and blessed to have this opportunity. “Opportunities that come around are not FOR you, but to be used THROUGH you to serve others.” I aim to rise up and allow this opportunity to pass through me to bless and serve my community to the fullest.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Owning your own business is so many things- exciting, scary, educational, and rewarding. As a JBF owner, the most exciting thing for me is watching an empty exhibition hall transform before my eyes in 12 hours into a full shopping experience with rows and tables of fantastic merchandise. It is so rewarding to know that you were the connector between a family outgrowing children’s items and a family approaching that stage in their own lives, and knowing some financial pressure has lightened for them.

It has been a very eye opening and educational experience owning my own business and the biggest thing I learned in these past few years was the difference between profitability and cash flow. With an event-based cyclical business, I had to learn to watch the tides go in and out to carefully plan ahead. Risk is always a little scary, but as the Mark Twain saying goes, “Go out on a limb—that’s where the fruit is!”

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.
One of the most fun days I have had in Denver with friends was searching for and taking photos with all of the colorful murals.

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?
I would like to recognize the amazing group of women I have been working alongside for the past 7 years for their encouragement, healthy lifestyles, enriching advice, and profound ability to create a culture of belonging.

I would also like to make a shoutout to the previous Just Between owner who trusted me enough to sell me her businesses. She set me up for success and I aspire to continue this legacy.

And of course to my family, whom without their trust and understanding, I could not juggle (or attempt to juggle) all the pieces of our lives.

Website: https://aurora.jbfsale.com and https://broomfield.jbfsale.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbfaurora and https://www.instagram.com/jbfbroomfieldbrighton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JBFAurora and https://www.facebook.com/JBFBroomfieldBrighton

Image Credits
Rosemarie Emmons Shannan Hays Caryn Berg