March 29, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Vendor profile: Janeration


Tell me about your business and what inspired you to go into business?

What started as making hair bows for my daughter in 2020 (yes, I’m a part of the COVID crafters wave, ha ha!), turned into a continuous DIY cycle and evolution of the products I sell today.  My daughter has definitely been my biggest inspiration and challenger as I would often hear, “Mom, I like this. Can you make it for me?” To my surprise, I started producing items that were too cute not to share, plus I couldn’t keep them all! So, I picked the business name”Janeration”  (pronounced “Janer – ation”) after a childhood nickname – “Janer”-  given to me by my mom and started my vendor journey in August 2023. Happy one year to Janeration!  

What has been the most challenging part about being a business owner?

The last year has been so fun, but it hasn’t come without challenges. Being a small business owner you are EVERYTHING-  you are the designer, the creator, the social media manager, the accountant, the model, the representative, etc., etc. Balancing small business duties along with being a wife, a mother to two young children, and working a normal full time job isn’t always the easiest.  I’m so thankful for the amazing support system I have in my husband who has never discouraged me in my small business pursuit, helped at events, and has created woodworkings for displays and purchasing. My mother has also been a huge encouragement and you can often find her working events with me! 

    What is the best part about working festivals?

    The best part of any event is THE PEOPLE! It’s fun getting to know others and hearing their stories. I also love chatting with other vendors and have a high appreciation for the creativity they are putting out into the world. 

      What is your favorite carnival food?

      I cannot go to a carnival, fair, or festival without having a corndog! Funnel cakes and cotton candy are also my guilty pleasures. 

        Banner
        Related Posts

        Ogden Festival to take place Saturday

        August 22, 2024

        August 22, 2024

        Kelly Cooper wants residents of Ogden to know that their town’s festival is bigger and better than ever. “I would...

        Get to know our Little Prince and Princess candidates: Ivy Jo Johnson

        August 9, 2024

        August 9, 2024

        What is your favorite part of summer? Ivy’s favorite part of summer is going to the lake with her family....

        Live at SJO School board, Nov. 17, 2025

        November 17, 2025

        November 17, 2025

        OMG you guys. It’s my favorite curriculum review- Social Sciences! It’s Beckett, Schacht and Kieffer. Schacht teaches American History, Sociology,...

        Road Tripping

        July 19, 2024

        July 19, 2024

        Every week we will feature a location within an hour and a half of St. Joseph that you can take...

        Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates : Amelia Buckley

        August 10, 2024

        August 10, 2024

        What is your favorite part of summer?Camping What do you want to be when you grow up?The tooth fairy What...

        Get to know Mitch Schluter

        April 1, 2025

        April 1, 2025

        Mitch is running for the SJO School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I WANTED TO GET...

        Village looking at options to sell wastewater system

        December 2, 2025

        December 2, 2025

         The Village of St. Joseph is exploring options to sell its wastewater system.  At a special meeting on Nov. 18,...

        Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Nov. 11, 2025

        November 11, 2025

        November 11, 2025

        Public comment Boy Scout Eagle Scout project. Asking the board if they have an interest in a bat box at...

        Hackler to be honored with street sign

        January 25, 2022

        January 25, 2022

        Former Mayor B.J. Hackler used to spend a lot of time on Lincoln and Main Streets in St. Joseph. If...

        Live at St. Joseph-Ogden School Board, April 28, 2025

        April 28, 2025

        April 28, 2025

        Mitch, Jim and Alicia just took the oath of office. Jim Rein was nominated for president again. (He won.)Vice president...

        A letter to the residents of St. Joseph from Jim Page

        April 9, 2025

        April 9, 2025

        There has been a lot of discussion over kitchen tables and online about the Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). A...

        Living Word to hold event to help families navigate digital world

        August 25, 2025

        August 25, 2025

        Living Word Family Church want to help families in this digital age.  Living Word Family Church will be hosting a...

        Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Feb. 25, 2025

        February 25, 2025

        February 25, 2025

        Jim Page is here. He’s running for mayor. Peter Shaw is here. He is running for village board. They just...

        Library to hold book sale

        April 7, 2025

        April 7, 2025

        The St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N. Third Street, St. Joseph, IL 61873 announces its Spring Used Book Sale....

        School districts wait to support TIF

        February 25, 2025

        February 25, 2025

        School Districts in St. Joseph are waiting to take a stance on the village’s proposed TIF district.The district, which the...

        Comments
        Leave a Reply