Life & Work with Jennifer Horton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Horton.

Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our family lives in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina– just a 7-minute bridge ride over from Charleston-and we love it here! We are always bouncing from one sun-filled activity to the next: tennis matches, soccer games, pool parties, family picnics, Tennis tournaments, outdoor social gatherings, boat rides to barrier islands- you name it! When my youngest was around 3 and our family was returning from a hot, sunburned boating trip to our favorite barrier island, Caper’s Island, I realized how desperately wonderful a blanket that could protect my little ones from harmful UV rays would be! I returned home to surf the internet to purchase one. There was no such product to be found. That was what I would say was my “a-hah moment.” I began stewing and dreaming of the idea, literally. I would wake up in the night thinking about this idea that God had so sweetly put on my heart. I woke up to many “God taps” on my heart saying, “I have given you this idea, these gifts, these resources, so go and use them now.” So, that is what I have done. I love how God works and puts all of the right people, in the right places, at the perfect time! I quickly realized how important each person I have met, each place I have lived, and each job that I have had has been in preparing me for starting ZAGS. For instance, I have a friend from college, who attends our church, who ended up being my manufacturer, right here in Charleston, SC. That was the first of many doors that flung wide open. Things came together and happened very quickly, I felt very affirmed to start the ZAGS brand. When asked about what this product would be called, the name ZAGS flew from my heart and out of my mouth. My children were the inspiration for my brand and product line. It seemed fitting to honor them with the name, their initials are ZAGS. We all adore this.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many entrepreneurs, I have to wear many hats. I am a mother of 3 and a devoted wife, so work-life balance is a continuous goal. Manufacturing of my products has always been based in South Carolina– it is important for me to support our local southern seamstresses. Like most other brands and companies, prices and lead times have risen and I have had to really think far into the future and try my best to plan accordingly.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Boat ride after boat ride, dream after dream, my adoring and supportive husband, Greg, was convinced to encourage me to go for it! He wanted to give me my best shot with ZAGS. The next step came when I explained my vision to our college friend, now my manufacturer. Once I fully understood that my idea could become a reality, I knew I had to go for it, really go for it! Our family had just returned from a trip abroad to Italy and France. To say that I was inspired after that trip is an understatement! I came back with beautiful images that I had to create through paintings and graphic designs. The images were all coastal-inspired from our life in the low country and our trip to the Mediterranean that summer. They were the perfect initial designs to compliment my “invention.” When I was coming up with the ideal size and shape of the first prototypes of ZAGS, I went to my closet and pulled out my favorite scarves and wraps. I found 3 sizes that I wear the most because of their versatility. From there, the initial 3 sizes were formed: the Surf Square (40”x40″), the Sunny Shawl (24″x65”), and the Be Anything Blanket (40”x80”). Because they are all sun-protecting wraps (UPF 50+) in different sizes, the word “Sunwrap” to describe them seemed a natural, easy fit. ZAGS has since evolved into many other product offerings from tops, ponchos, dresses, caftans, cardigans, and pants- all upf 50 and still made in South Carolina!

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Flexibility, creativity, patience, positivity, and prayer are more important than ever!

Pricing: