farmhouse frocks

An Interview by Susie Robb Brinck

I’LL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST TIME THAT I MET LENA SCHLABACH. WHILE VISITING ROUND TOP, TEXAS ON A BUYING TRIP FOR THE SHOP, I SPOTTED HER HAVING HER PICTURE TAKEN ACROSS A GRASSY FIELD OF LONGHORN CATTLE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSED AND THEN, QUITE HONESTLY INTIMIDATED. LENA’S SALT AND PEPPER HAIR IS CUT IN THE HIPPEST PIXIE CUT THAT YOU’VE EVER SEEN. SHE WEARS BOLD, OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES THAT HAVE BECOME HER SIGNATURE LOOK; SHE DRESSES TO THE NINES IN WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A STYLE ALL HER OWN.

I took it all in and smiled. I had only known Lena from afar. I remembered when she had created a line of frocks with Liz Marie Galvan at the helm and recalled the story of her gumption to hand deliver her own product directly to Joanna Gaines’ office. I had watched her Instagram following grow to over 100,000 and witnessed her consistency as she showed up on social media every morning to greet her fans as “queens,” which she still does by the way. She owns the brick and mortar of my dreams… an old, two-story brick building painted black and white located on a quaint, downtown street. The most impressive to me is that she supports her roots and local community in Amish Country and effortlessly combines it all under the brandFarmhouse Frocks.

owner + founder

Lena Schlabach

MORE FAITH THAN FEAR Lena is a damn good business owner, and I knew it, so I was a bit insecure, to say the least.It was when my bestie, Amy Williams, shouted, “Hey Lena!” that I quickly snapped back to reality and managed to wave. She walked over to us, and Amy made the formal introductions. I shuffled my feet, told her that I was a longtime fan, and then, I asked her how she does it all. Her response to my question would stick with me to this day. With a big grin and a calmness in her voice that I so desperately wanted for myself, she said “more faith than fear, honey. More faith than fear.”

I could go on and on, but it’s with great pleasure and privilege that I can introduce you to Lena Schlabach as my friend. So, grab a coffee, fluff your hair (cause her style and confidence is contagious) and get ready to be inspired!

simply american made

Ok, Lena, let’s start at the beginning. Tell us a little bit about your upbringing.

I’m originally from Millersburg, Ohio. I was born and raised in Amish Country until I was 18 at which time I left. I’m one of four children to my mom and dad and have a great relationship with my family to this day. Very early on, I knew that Amish life was not for me. At night, I would pray and ask God not to let me fall in love and marry an Amish boy!I did get married and was married for twenty eight years and have three beautiful children to show for it.

I feel like I could ask 1,000 questions about what it was like growing up Amish!

Yes, you could. And I did share a lot about it on my blog. There are stories of my childhood, my family, recipes, my marriage, and what it was like leaving the lifestyle. I even include some FAQs!(farmhousefrocks.com/blog)

Ok, we will save those questions then! I want to know how you started Farmhouse Frocks.

I started Farmhouse Frocks nine years ago. Really, it was out of the effort to find clothes for plus size women. When I was growing up, I wanted to be like the fancy English ladies that I saw pass through town. I would ask my mom to sew my clothes with ruffles and puff sleeves so that I could stand out! But it wasn’t until I was in my 40’s trying to find clothing for an all-white party, that I decided to start designing clothes myself. I had bought white linen tablecloths and sheets and hired a seamstress to make me an outfit for the party. And I just ran with it! That led to me commissioning seven Amish seamstresses and an operating basement studio for my designs. We took my Frocks in a 12-foot Amish hauler van to the annual Country Living Fair in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a huge success, so I opened an Etsy shop. Our online presence through Etsy and Instagram became really strong, but there was still a need for women to have a place to try on some of the clothing. A year later, we opened the brick-andmortar shop and now, support over thirty seamstresses!

You’re such an inspiration to me as a business owner, but how did you handle COVID-19?

I’m very proud of the impact that Farmhouse Frocks has had on my community and the provision for the Amish community, specifically. During the pandemic, we made 100,000 masks and raised over $400,000 for the local community. Every day, I just kept showing up on Instagram. I want to encourage women to be comfortable in their own skin right where they are, so I just kept delivering my message.

What does a day is the life of a queen look like?

I live for slow mornings. I get up and meditate or listen to music, and I LOVE a good frothy coffee. Then, I head to the studio about twenty minutes away and make notes of things to do for the team. I do all the buying for the accessories and textiles, and work on the designs and

simply american made

proofs with my sister, our lead seamstress. I try to stay 100% visionary and oh, I don’t read emails!

You don’t read emails?! Teach me your ways!!!

Ok, here’s my advice to small business owners: When you’re getting started, choose a clean name and logo that you are proud of, and get on Instagram every day. Make that your goal to adjust to changes and don’t ever complain about how hard it is. Frustrations can always be traced back to not having a system in place, so find those areas and fix them. You need to hire emotionally safe humans. Don’t get married to your ideas. If it’s not making money, it’s a hobby. If you’re trying to start a business, and it doesn’t make you money, get rid of it. In the past, we’ve tried things that didn’t work for us like a kids’ clothing line and bedding. But if it doesn’t work, move on. Also, you MUST protect your time and your energy. You are the leader, so you carry the mood in every challenge at work. Pour good energy in, guard yourself, and exercise boundaries so as not to be sucked dry by negativity.

Please tell me that you offer business coaching.

Yes! That’s what’s next for me. I feel like I have a wealth of knowledge to offer to women through coaching and mentoring. I love linking arms with people and look forward to sharing my home in Florida as a future retreat center for others to heal and connect.

IN STYLE

Inside her shop and studio, Lena models her beautiful, handmade Frocks and curated accessories

FAITH OVER FEAR

I always make decisions in faith not fear. It’s black and white. If you have no fear, you can do anything. So, by removing that fear, your decisions are easy.

SO MANY WOMEN ARE STUCK IN TRAUMA AND WANT TO HIDE THEIR BODIES. THEREFORE, WE MAKE FROCKS A LITTLE LONGER TO FLATTER ALL SIZES OF WOMEN. IN FACT, THERE IS NO OTHER BRAND THAT OFFERS THE SPAN OF XS-XXXL LIKE WE DO. OUR FROCKS ARE ROOMY AND GENEROUS; THEY FLOW SO THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY PULLING ON YOUR CLOTHING. I FEEL LIKE GOD HAS GIVEN THIS SMALL, AMISH GIRL WITH NO VOICE, A PLATFORM TO SPEAK CONFIDENCE, LIFE AND POSITIVITY TO WOMEN! I’M SO HUMBLED BY IT ALL. SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BROADENED MY WHOLE WORLD. I LOVE CONNECTING WITH WOMEN AND CAN’T BELIEVE THAT I’VE HAD THIS KIND OF POSITIVE IMPACT. WE HAVE VISITORS TRAVEL FROM ALL OVER, FROM CALIFORNIA TO CANADA, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HUGGING MY QUEENS.

A DREAM COME TO LIFE

Lena reveling in her stunning storefront in Millersburg, Ohio. These days she splits her time between the store and her beach home in Casey Key, Florida.

FINDING HER WHALE

I believe so much in connecting because you have to find your “whales”. Whales are the key people in your life that lift you up. Jayme was my whale. She passed away from cancer a year ago, but I have lots of other friends, like Candy and Cheryl who believe in me and speak life into me. We just sit around and talk about all of our dreams and goals and encourage each other and affirm each other. So, find your whales and be a source of positivity and light for someone. Oh, you can also let our readers know that I’m hoping to travel more, finish my book, and find my dream man. I’m certain you will find him! I doubt that you’ve ever made a stranger!

Ha-ha, I haven’t! You mentioned my sunglasses. These are my business card. Everywhere I go, people comment on my glasses. I usually carry ten to fifteen pairs with me in my bag and never miss an opportunity to talk to someone about my business! Once, I traveled to Venice and threw myself a birthday party where I invited fifty people that I had just met along my journey overseas. Thirty-five of them showed up! So you’re right, I’ve never met a stranger! Connecting with people and connecting people to people is my passion and my purpose.

3 BEDROOM, 3 BATH COSTAL RIAD IN CASEY KEY, FL

Visit the riad on Casey Key VISIT Lena's Charming RIAD

COPPELL

the lintner bath project

Breathing Fresh Air Into a Piece of Elegant, Handmade History

I’m always a bit jealous when commissioned to remodel bathrooms for my clients. All four of my bathrooms at home need updating, but as the saying goes, “the cobbler’s children have no shoes.” So when the Lintners of Coppell, Texas approached me to update both of their bathrooms, well, that just added insult to injury. However, after swallowing my envy, I jumped on board.

With just two bathrooms in the house, we were only able to update one at a time to allow the other to remain usable. While this makes for a longer remodeling period, it prevents the clients from temporarily moving out of their home. To begin the remodel in the primary bathroom, we set the following goal: to create a large, walk-in shower and maximize the space to avoid the room feeling cramped.