Laura Zander, is the co-owner of LYS & market leading online retailer of yarn, Jimmy Beans Wool. Laura, along with her husband Doug, worked as software engineers during the dot-com era in the San Francisco area. When they saw the dot-com boom turning to a bust, they decided to leave their jobs, move to their second home in the Lake Tahoe area, and begin a new adventure by opening Jimmy Beans Wool.

They started the business, which has been named four times to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the U.S. list, with a $30,000 personal investment and have since grown it debt free to a booming operation. Laura is one of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial Winning Women and was invited to the White House for a forum addressing the American Jobs Act where Jimmy Beans Wool was recognized as a notable Nevada business.

An innovator in the Needlearts industry, Laura has created successful national high-profile campaigns such as Stitch Red, Stitch Mountain, & Beans for Brains. She authored and launched her first installment of a three-book series drawing awareness to heart disease, Knit Red. When not knitting or working, Laura spends most of her time on the ski hill, running, playing tennis, or relaxing with Doug and their ten-year-old son, Huck.

Jimmy Beans recently acquiried Namaste, della Q, and Madelinetosh—three beloved companies amongst knitters, crocheters, and makers. Jimmy Beans will continue to develop products under their patent pending Jimmy’s SmartStix, plus hooks, needles, and notions.

Laura joined us this week to talk about all the things she and her company are up to as well as many of the challenges that businesses and creatives face in the world of the COVID-19 virus. Please join us!

Laura Zander (04-13-2020): Business not as usual

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