Featuring: Kristen Bolling
Owner, IF+D
Age 38
Number of children : 1
Current Projects / Job : trying to get the leaves out of the front yard. I should be done around 2012.
What I did before IF+D
In no particular order : worked at a series of furniture stores, drove an Econoline van with a cracked block that I repaired with JB Weld, lived in Scotland, hitchhiked across Europe, had a beautiful child, lost a bunch of games of backgammon..
What do you like about being a business owner?
Getting to make my own decisions… The trick is not that I make the best decisions, but that I’m simply willing to make them. It’s much better than having to work with someone else’s decisions.
What are some challenges that you face as a woman?
Unloading a truck full of furniture.
How long has IF+D been open?
Either 3 years or 3,000, I can’t quite recall ( or tell the difference )
Do you incorporate your daughter in day to day business operations?
When my incredibly handsome and talented and all together fantastic partner is working, Ella will spend time at the store. She attends a part-time school a few days a week, and we tag-team homeschool her the other days. In the summer months, she’ll operate a lemonade stand and donate the money to a non-profit organization ( KUT – she thinks hawk Mendenhall is God, EcoSchool, SafePlace). She is an excellent sales person. We also occasionally exploit her for advertising purposes
What do you like to do to unwind at the end of the day?
When Ella has gone to sleep, I will watch the most explicit disgusting medical television programs I can find. If there was a show where they did bared-handed autopsies, I would watch it… While eating nachos. Incidentally, Mystery Diagnosis has never stumped me. I really should be a doctor, but I can’t do the math.
Where are you from? How did you end up in Austin?
I’m originally from a remote mining town in West Virginia, accessible only by pack mule. My mule was named Jack. He had one front leg shorter than the other, so he tended to walk in circles. I ended up in Austin by drawing it out of a hat. The other candidates in the hat were Madagascar, Juneau Alaska, and Dallas… so I guess I got really lucky.
Challenges juggling a business & family?
The same that anyone faces. Too much to do & too few hours in which to do it.
Inspiration in life?
Good question.
If you were portrayed in a movie, who would play your character?
David Caruso, but only because I always stand sideways while talking to someone.
What would your theme song be?
‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, the theme song to CSI:Miami. I hear it was also a song by The Who, but that’s only because my boyfriend won’t shut up about how great Keith Moon was.
If you had the power, what would you change in the world?
It sounds small compared to things like war, famine, climate change, peak oil, and so on, but I would outlaw car alarms. With everyone feeling relaxed with all the peace and quiet, I think the other problems would sort themselves out naturally.
What would you change in Austin?
I would rebuild Liberty Lunch, but improve the plumbing.
Best childhood memory?
There was that one time that Jack walked in a giant circle ( we were heading into town to pick up a couple of rolls of gingham ), and we ended up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Kentucky at sun up. The mist was settling in the valleys, the sunrise was smoky and gorgeous, and I could hear the birds beginning to wake. Then I popped old Jack into the Sonic and got one of those huge slushee drinks.
If you could live anywhere other than Austin, where would it be?
Minneapolis. Because it’s the home of BluDot furniture and (mostly) because it sits on I-35, so I wouldn’t have to learn a new freeway name.
Who is your greatest influence?
My daughter- wiithout even trying, she makes me be a better person.
What is the one thing that you want your child to know before leaving home?
Long division, so she can do it for me. Should I get the 64oz box for $3.79 or the 48oz box for $2.99? I have no idea.
Why do you like living in Austin?
Because I used to live in Scotland.
What do you dislike about the city?
The sidewalks are fairly horrible. For just one day, imagine getting around downtown in a wheelchair. It’s horrible.
Favorite things to do in your downtime?
I am constitutionally incapable of experiencing downtime. Apparently, even while fast asleep in the middle of the night, I can crank out 5 or 6 emails.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
as always, I love these ‘behind the scenes’ pieces!
June 4th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I’m from a small coal mining town in West Virginia too, at least an hour from any 4-lane highway. My hubby and I came to Austin in 1996 and love it. You and I seem to have lots in common – only daughters, home state, blogging, definitely a small world after all!
June 9th, 2008 at 9:16 am
LOVE LOVE LOVE your store! And I love that you are part of the LiveMom community! Thanks for sharing your story! See you in your store soon!