Crystal Bateman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Crystal , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
This question really hits in my core because I feel like I am always chasing “more.” I remind myself to slow down and just enjoy the journey sometimes. I constantly chase more clients, higher sales, bigger happiness, stronger relationships, and being better than I was yesterday. It is important to run after the things that make you smile and challenge yourself daily. We chase to be better people, we chase to learn new skill sets, and we chase to have humility. Nothing wrong with the chase, as long as you are running for the right reasons. You just have to stop and smell the flowers once in a while and soak in the life you built. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and don’t be so quick to get to the finish line. Part of having an enjoyable existence means chasing your dreams but genuinely love the rollercoaster ride that got you there.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Crystal Layne Fashion is a certified Woman Owned Business that is recognized under the HUB statewide certification. We specialize in embroidery, screen print, custom patches, and promotional items. We help clients with the logo apparel they need and provide guidance every step of the way to create the best garments that stand out. We enjoy aiding to customers with the unique artwork we design, finding the best brands to meet their budget, suggesting color schemes that compliment one another or just introducing the latest trends to keep their merch fresh. We obtain a lot of referrals from our clients because of the quality work and exceptional customer service we provide. Attention to detail is so critical when you want to deliver extraordinary results.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
We constantly meet different people throughout our lives and get introduced to many individuals that change us. Sometimes for the better to maybe teach us lessons and other times to just put in our memory bank. Unfortunately, bonds get broken with how fast time flies in the blink of an eye. We get sidetracked by social media, internet, and streaming platforms that we forget to be involved with one another and neglect the people we should be interacting with. I think a simple text, an unexpected call, impromptu lunch to check in with friends and family you care about goes a long way. It keeps us fastened to one another and human connection alive. Experiences and events with loved ones are what life is all about. Take the trip you are on the fence about, call your Mom to tell her you love her or book a surprise dinner date with your spouse. As Ferris Bueller would say, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that you never truly know what anyone is going through in their life. You can’t judge a book by its cover because we all handle obstacles and suffering in different ways. Life can be hard sometimes and what matters is how you choose to react to the cards you were dealt. Suffering taught me to never assume and to appreciate the people that bestowed basic kindness to me when I was going through a tough time. So, the barista at Starbucks got your order wrong, the driver cut you off on the road, the waiter forgot your mash potatoes, or the cashier was rude to you. What if, the barista’s mother just died, the driver was rushing to the hospital because his dad just had a heart attack, the waiter does not have enough money to pay their rent, or the cashier that was just rude to you is battling cancer. We have no idea what people are struggling with in their life and goodwill goes a long way. Showing kindness to others will always win and people will remember those who made it easier for them during their obstacles. We were born on this earth to support each other, to lend a helping hand and to show gratitude.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Sara Blakely is someone who worked extremely hard to get where she is today, but she didn’t stomp on others to reach the top. Her path to success was never focused on having a ruthless mindset. She is an advocate for women supporting women and one of the most honest story tellers that cares about people. I love that she is confident in all her decisions and not influenced by all the negative noise that goes on. She changes lives everyday with her quirky personality, positive outlook and driven soul. I admire her and hope to have the opportunity to sit down and have dinner with her one day. As she would say, “Don’t strive to be well know, strive to be worth knowing.”
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
It is hard to put one’s full life into a single story, but If I had to write my own eulogy. I envision it being something like this… “I was a lover of all shades of pink, uncontrollable laughter, reaching goals, challenging myself and I lived for surprises. I had a purse for every outfit and a smile for every vogue forward ensemble. I enjoyed treating everyday like it was a fashion show and a good outfit was meant to be celebrated with close friends and family. I took a chance on starting a business that turned into a lifelong career helping companies with logo apparel and changing the uniform game. Thinking outside of the box was in a Mary Poppins bag and winning with hard work was in my blood. I hope to be remembered for lifting others up, carrying strength, and having a fearless attitude. During the beginning of my company launch, a client once told me that I was always a burst of positive energy to be around. This stuck with me and made a significant impact on my mindset, and it became something I lived by. My happy place consisted of indulging in new restaurants, watching old I love Lucy reruns, singing in the church choir, sand volleyball, traveling, and scrabble games with my hubs.You all know I love a good eclectic piano bar, finding interesting art pieces throughout the years and I must say I had a pretty impressive vinyl record collection I am leaving behind. I was just a silly movie nerd at my core and enjoyed quoting movie lines or pinpointing the movie title from just hearing a song. A meaningless talent, but something that made my heart joy jump. I survived by my caring Mother, receptive Father, funny Brother, supportive husband and loyal friends. Thank you for making my life full and complete with the cherished memories. Audrey Hepburn is someone I admired for her moral compass and timeless beauty. “For Beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge you are never alone.” The end is here, and I leave you with this: Be present in every moment, embrace every laugh, hold every smile and be thankful. Go outside to breathe in the sun, never regret something that made you happy and take chances on yourself. You cannot control the wind, but you can adjust your sails. As Bing Crosby said, “If your worried and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.crystallayne.com
- Instagram: crystal_Layne_Fashion
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-layne-sanders/
Image Credits
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