Kelly & Justina: A Dream Team Makes the Dream Work

Recently, Taizjo had the opportunity to meet the Co-Owners of The Willow Label, Kelly and Justina, where they shared about their chemistry working together.

Kelly: I’m Kelly, the Founder of The Willow Label. I handle the design, creatives and marketing part of the business, so basically I oversee the overall look and direction of our collections and collaterals. 

Justina: I’m Tina, the Co-owner of The Willow Label. I manage the finance, admin and logistics of the company, and I started off as an intern for the company. I quit my previous job to get married and decided to take a break so I applied for an internship position at local online stores knowing that it is my best chance to enter the industry without any similar experience. It was like a ‘calling’ or a final chance for myself to do something that I was interested in rather than a job that just pays the bills. So I guess I lucked out!

What made you decide to work together?

Featuring Justina wearing Taizjo’s DAWN Coral Phone Sling Case customised with Morris Monogram on The Willow Label’s Gillian Floral Top and Juno Straight Leg Pants, and Kelly wearing Taizjo’s ARIELLE Crossbody Phone Case with CLOUD Pearl Chain on The Willow Label’s Alegra Racer Dress

Justina: Telepathy haha I guess, we just click.

Kelly: We hit it off really well right from the start and we started discussing business opportunities together.

Justina: We work well together because in many ways, we complement each other.

Kelly: I am more of an anxious person and I always worry over all the different parts of the business. Tina tends to be more calm and will tell me to just let each team sort and handle the issues themselves.

How do you overcome differences?  

Featuring Justina wearing Taizjo’s SANDLUX 2.0 Crossbody Phone Case with CLOUD Pearl Chain and White Serif Customisation on The Willow Label’s Alixe Poplin Dress

Justina: By talking it out. Communication is very important in any form of relationship, and sometimes we even joke about how we talk to each other more than we do with our husbands. I am by nature, a pretty straightforward person, and we try not to leave any room for assumptions. 

Kelly: We really talk a lot. About work and all the other random things then from there, we sometimes come up with ideas or content we want to push or work on. And even if we argue over work, it is never personal.

How have you grown together and individually with the brand?

Featuring Justina wearing Taizjo’s DAWN Coral Phone Sling Case customised with Morris Monogram on The Willow Label’s Gillian Floral Top and Juno Straight Leg Pants

Justina: Through the difficulties, we learn more about each other, especially on what works best and how to deal with each other’s temperaments. Also, learning when to step back/step forward when the situation calls for it.

Kelly: I think we have both become more mature and better at dealing with last minute issues. Also, the curation of the brand is just a very close reflection of my current style and obsessions. 

What would you say to each other?

Featuring Kelly wearing Taizjo’s ARIELLE Crossbody Phone Case with CLOUD Pearl Chain on The Willow Label’s Alegra Racer Dress

Justina: Sometimes when things do not work out or if it is out of our control and you have exhausted every means to make it work. Just let time do its magic, more haste, less speed.

Kelly: The rebranding of The Willow Label happened the same year I was pregnant with my son, and it was tough to manage as I was on my own. I’m thankful that Tina came along and things got much smoother.


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