Meet Tammy Finestone of Baby Jade

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Finestone.

Tammy hand-makes everything herself from start to finish with passion and love. Tammy grew up in the jungles of Vietnam and moved to the U.S. when she was 16 years old. She is half American and half Vietnamese.

She never knew her father as he was an American pilot who was thought to be killed in the Vietnam war. She was adopted in Vietnam and grew up under very tough conditions. She only knew hard work as that was her life. After coming to America, she continued to work hard and began to chase the American dream. She found success as a manicurist opening her first nail salon at age 19.

Tammy married her husband in 2003. Two years later their first baby, Jade, was on the way. One month before baby Jade was born, Tammy, stopped working for the first time in her life and gave up her nail business to be a full-time mom. But soon after Jade was born Tammy found herself with idle time. She began to go stir crazy as she didn’t know what to do with her new found free time. So, she started to sew. As a child in Vietnam, Tammy grew up very poor. Out of necessity she picked up a needle and taught herself to fix and mend her and her brother’s raggedy clothes from falling apart. Now at home with the new baby, she began sewing her baby new clothes, all by hand. Her husband was shocked when he’d awake in the morning to find a new full length dress that Tammy had made overnight for their baby. It was as if Cinderella and her magical animal friends had paid a visit to their home. Was this even possible? He was amazed at Tammy’s obvious talent, creativity, and the speed in which she worked. He encouraged her to buy her first sewing machine. She did and she quickly found herself drawn to it day and night loving to create new things. She sewed clothes at first and then eventually blankets staying up all night many a night.

As our family and our friend’s families began to grow, Tammy’s handmade blankets became a popular and cherished gift not only for babies, but for kids and adults as well. Everyone loved them. Shopping around Tammy started comparing the texture, quality, size, and price of other blankets for sale, but none compared. So, she then decided to start “Baby Jade,” and make this a real business. Tammy loves what she does and is constantly working on new products and designs. She now also makes amazing scarves, pillow covers, and shawls.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I was born under very tough conditions and never had a smooth road. I’m a fighter and survivor and never had a choice otherwise. I was born in 1971 at the height of the Vietnam War. My mother couldn’t keep me so I was adopted by a Vietnamese family she knew. We were very poor and lived in the jungle until I was about 10 years old. I had two outfits to wear the whole year. My brother and I were constantly picked on and made fun of because we were different and not fully Vietnamese. We were outcasts. The US Govt. started a program in 1979 to bring back the “Children of the Dust” (kids born from US serviceman that returned to the US after the war). but because we were very poor we were very far down the list. 8 years past and we forgot all about it. During that time, rich Vietnamese families went to poor villages and tried to buy half-lings like me to pretend they were their kids so they could get a ticket to America. I was very scared when people tried to buy me and my brother from my adopted grandparents. Thankfully, my grandparents were good people and didn’t let that happen. Then one day a letter showed up saying it was our chance to go to America. So my grandma and grandpa left their 4 older boys behind in Vietnam and took me and my brother to America. My grandmother didn’t want to go to America. But I told her I wouldn’t go without her. She wanted a better life for me so she decided to take me and my brother to America. When we got to America we first arrived in Washington D.C. We lived with two other families in a small apartment. I was 17 at the time and was too old to start school. So, I was given a job as a maid. It was tough as I didn’t speak English and was always being yelled at.

After about a year, my grandparents moved us to California and I got a job as a manicurist. I had to learn everything myself. But I was determined to make some something of myself and take care of my family. My grandmother who I was closest to died about a year later. It was very hard on me when she passed. But there was no one to help me or my family but myself. So all I could do was work hard. Thankfully, I met my husband and now life is much smoother.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Baby Jade – what should we know?
I hand-make blankets, scarves, pillow covers, shawls, bed sets and other home decor items for babies, kids, adults and even pets. I do all the work myself and my husband helps me on the business side. We started making baby blankets but now sell more adult and home related products than anything else. Most companies that sell blankets give their customers few choices as to color and patterns. On our site and in our store our customers have choices from over 100 colors and patterns to create their own customized blankets. Also, we ship almost every order out within a day or two. No long waits! Because we make everything ourselves we keep our costs down so that everyone can buy and enjoy our products. You cannot find our quality and sizes at our low prices, anywhere. Almost all of our products can we washed easily in a washing machine and are very durable. Our blankets with normal care last for years. I’m most proud that with hard work and passion I’ve been able to create products and a company that people love. Nothing makes me happier than to hear how much our customers love our products.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Without my grandmother who adopted me and took me in all the while she had young 4 boys and bombs were dropping everywhere around us, I would likely not have made it past my first birthday. She sacrificed a lot for me back then and then again bringing me to America while she left all of her family back in Vietnam. The older I get and the more I learn about that time I appreciate and love her more for her sacrifices and love she gave me.

Also, my wonderful husband deserves a lot of credit as well. He helps support me in every way. When I started sewing and making blankets he started a website for me and our company and handles all of the business stuff I would struggle with. We are an amazing team and I am so thankful we have found each other.

Pricing:

• Our prices range from $24 – $300 depending on the product and size.

Contact Info:

• Address: 8870 W. 18th St.
  Los Angeles CA 90035
  – Right off S. Roberston between Pico and the 10 Freeway
• Website: www.babyjadeusa.com
• Phone: 323-284-4649
• Email: info@babyjadeusa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/504200815/baby-jade/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Baby-Jade-53447840921/