This week’s Micronesian Monday Feature is on Jenny Asher a Marshallese mama with an impeccable eye for design and details and who is spreading Micronesian pride through stickers, magnets, phone grips, and more. 

For Jenny Asher, the third time seems to be the charm. 

Jenny, from the Marshall Islands, owns JennyAsher Designs, an online shop that’s quickly cultivating quite the Islander following. 

coffeewithanislandgirl

A post shared by Jenny Asher (@coffeewithanislandgirl)

Jenny said she had two other business ventures that didn’t pan out before she embarked on JennyAsher Designs. 

“I took my mistakes and used that as the key rules that I would go by this time around,” the mother of two said. 

Jenny launched the shop in August 2021. She was determined to show her boys that she can make money from the comfort of home, maintain family time, and school. She said her kids and motherhood inspired her to start the business. 

“I wanted a way of inspiring my boys on the importance of work ethics by involving them with what an entrepreneur does daily,” she said. 

JennyAsher Designs is a small and mighty operation right now, consisting of Jenny, her husband, and her sons. The boys help when they feel like it, Jenny joked. 

“And my husband who consider himself my business manager,” Jenny added with a laugh. 

Jenny sells keychains, stickers, notepads, magnets, and phone grips. From her obon (Marshallese intricate woven wall decoration) magnets, to the iridescent Kosrae flag decals, to the drel (woven fan) keychains, each piece is an ode to being Micronesian. 

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A post shared by JennyAshers Design (@jennyasher_designs)

She chose keychains and decals after weighing her options. Jenny said she was approached many times and asked if she could make and sell Marshallese handicrafts. But living in the states made it a logistical and costly challenge.

“Besides, we have so many great talented weavers, there’s no need for me to struggle to even figure out how to make them,” she said. 

With that in mind, Jenny came up with a way to sell the sought-after handicrafts in a way that would work for her.

“So, looking down at my keychain while thinking of a business move, I thought, ‘Why not just make keychains using the designs that are already made?’ Not only will it be durable enough, but you can literally take a piece of culture everywhere you go,” she said. 

She designed an obon keychain and put it up for sale, hoping for the best.

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A post shared by JennyAshers Design (@jennyasher_designs)

“I was shocked!” Jenny recalled. 

The keychains were a massive hit. Customers who came across them, instantly connected with them and were quick to add them to their carts. She sold nearly 200 keychains in the first month. 

“I will never forget how happy I was and forever be deeply humbled by that experience,” Jenny said. 

After that, Jenny expanded her product line. Customers asked for stickers and phone grips and Jenny delivered. 

“I started off with the Obon keychain then I added on more styles of Marshallese handicrafts in keychain form then came the phone grips, notepads, magnets, and decal stickers all centered around the Marshall Islands and gracefully working my way around the rest of the Micronesian Islands,” she said. 

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A post shared by JennyAshers Design (@jennyasher_designs)

jennyasher_designs

A post shared by JennyAshers Design (@jennyasher_designs)

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A post shared by JennyAshers Design (@jennyasher_designs)

The past few months have been a whirlwind and Jenny said the most rewarding part has been able to build a life that balances her family and her work.

Ultimately, she said she wants to use her platform to share her Marshallese culture with others. 

“I want to show off how creative our Marshallese artisans are and that the skills that has been passed down from generation to the next does not go unnoticed by the rest of the world,” Jenny said. 

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A post shared by JennyAshers Design (@jennyasher_designs)

She also hopes to inspire other stay-at-home Micronesian mothers to start their own businesses. 

“Just have that mindset that even if you fail that you’ll take a break and start again, like I’ve done three times,” Jenny said, encouragingly. “I know some of us feel like our main purpose right now on this earth is to tend to your family, but I encourage you to seek your purpose outside of the household. 

“We, Micronesian women need make this a ‘norm,’ to be able to be selfish and think about being able to side hustle, having a career, be a creator, or even just going back to school.  Mainly, having a sense of who you are outside of motherhood and being a spouse. I know for some, it’s not possible right now and I understand that. But if you have a really good support system behind you, I say go for it.”◉

Curious about other Micronesian creators? Here are just a few recommendations from Jenny (With descriptions from Jenny): 

• Janie_makes – “She has two business that I know of which is her clothing business and photography. She’s a DIY of all things enthusiast like myself and she’s super, super talented in everything she does.”

• Signebyjoen- “Her work definitely reflects how amazing she is. I can’t wait to team up with her and get some new designs made.”

• Keinekatakanajri- “She created reading and writing materials in Marshallese for kids. Her business may not be selling cool shirts or stickers but she is providing something more essential to our kids, it’s a sense of identity and connecting to our heritage at the same time, safeguarding it.”

• Iakwecandle- “Her candles are UH-MAZING! The little things she does and adds when packaging her candles, you can tell she takes great pride in them.”

• Bearthkeeper- “She’s Chuukese and a birthkeeper / Doula.  She provides support during labor and delivery.  I don’t personally know her but her page alone is inspiring, educational, and empowering.” 

• Essnstials and KaaslittleKreation— “both two wonderful ladies that centered their business around uplifting others in their faith in God. Nuff said.”

• Littleislanddreams and loeakcustomes- “both mamas are kicking butt with their island decals/ sticker business. I would definitely keep an eye on these two.  I can see them making big-mama boss moves in the near future.”  

• Iakweklay and Sienna Official- “These ladies are go-getters at its finest. They know how to attract their customers with their line of beautiful jewelry with an island flare to it and I love it!”

• Balloonsetc.pitt- “She knows how to bring your party vision to life with her balloon decorations and décor. She inquires such talent I wish I had.”

Thank you so much to Jenny! Her products are honestly so cute, I am in awe every time I come across a new item from her shop. Jenny also has this keen eye and a real sense of what other people would like. Find her shop on Etsy and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Plus, check out her personal Instagram page, Coffee with an Island Girl. For all the links in one place,  check out her link tree: https://linktr.ee/jennyasher 

Thank you for reading. If you liked this, consider subscribing to The Husk. You’ll get weekly stories about Micronesian makers, creators, and professionals sent to your inbox for free. Do you know a Micronesian we should know about? Email thehusk@substack.com.

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