The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The word beacon has its origin in Old English when its meaning referred to a signal or lighthouse. Beacons were used not only by ships and later by airfields as a warning or guidance system but as a means for carrying news. A fire or light set up in a high or prominent position could also provide a sign of celebration. Since the 1600s, the word beacon has figuratively referred to a person or thing that illuminates or inspires.

Drawing from these historical meanings, once a month, the Journal will run a story in a Feature Forum called Blaine County Beacon, which will illuminate the achievements of Blaine County residents. This beacon will shine not only in celebration but as a means for bringing the celebrated person “back home.” Anyone wishing to recommend a person for consideration for this feature should contact Donna L. Miller or the Journal.

During the final three days in July, anyone strolling the north end of Indiana Street in Chinook would have seen a new store front at number 209 in the former Pizza Pro location. Lazy J Clothing is not a permanent addition to main street commerce but a pop-up belonging to Jennifer (McMaster) Hancock and her husband Rob.

Pop-up shops are temporary retail spaces that were introduced as early as the 1990s in large urban cities such as Los Angeles and New York City. With their unique and engaging shopping experience, which is often complemented by an online presence, these short-term stores are typically owned by those who are rethinking traditional brick-and-mortar and big-box stores.

A 1995 graduate of Chinook High School and the daughter of Ed and Thelma McMaster, Jennifer went on to MSU-Northern and earned an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing in 2000 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 2003. She started Lazy J Clothing in April 2018 when she was experiencing what she described as a mid-life crisis. "I had been working for nearly twenty years at the Billings Clinic, and I was ready for a change of pace. I also needed something totally different than the work I was doing, something to function as a stress reliever."

Hancock worked on the Inpatient Surgical floor in the hospital for eight years, the General Surgery department in the clinic for seven years, and has been in the Outpatient Clinical Documentation Improvement Department ever since. For the past four years, this has been a remote position that allows her to work from home.

"We do chart reviews for mainly Medicare patients prior to their primary care physician appointments to ensure all diagnoses are documented adequately and that the appropriate level of specificity has been documented as well. On June 12, 2020, I celebrated my twenty year anniversary with Billings Clinic," she explained.

In addition to her work with the Billings Clinic, Hancock serves as the school nurse for Elder Grove Elementary School, a preK-6 school in Billings School District #8, created as a district in 1885 and believed to be the longest continuous running school district in the state of Montana. For "something else to do," she even occasionally picks up a shift at the Rollin' Ritos food truck when it works events, like a brew fest. Rollin' Ritos serves Mexican Asian fusion foods. "Think burrito-size sushi rolls," Hancock said. "Sushi nachos are also a favorite!"

A good employment choice for a nurse, Rollin' Ritos specializes in healthier dishes. Their menu of fresh, innovative, and creative foods caters to people with dietary restrictions-those that eat ketogenic, have gluten allergies, or live with allergies in general.

An ambitious young woman, Hancock can't be idle for long. About her venture into self-employment, Hancock said: "My children are growing into independent young adults and don't need my every spare moment anymore, so I needed a side hustle."

Her stepchildren Alex and Catie are in seventh and twelfth grade respectively. Although during the school year the two girls live in Lexington, Kentucky, Alex was in the shop on July 31 assisting her stepmom. Hancock's other two children are similar in age; Cole is an eighth grader and Layne, a junior in high school in Billings.

When she's not working, Hancock enjoys reading and traveling, especially visiting different islands in the Caribbean. She also enjoys attending her children's sporting events. Layne plays soccer, and Cole competes in football, rugby, and wrestling.

When the Hancocks were exploring business models and options, Jen said the idea for a clothing business seemed too different from her skill set in health care, but her husband-who is a General and Vascular Surgeon at the Billings Clinic-was the one who told her that something diverse might be precisely the right decision.

So, Jen did her research and eventually decided that a clothing line would be perfect, especially since she isn't fond of wandering the malls to apparel shop for herself. After she and her husband travelled to a market in Las Vegas and visited with various vendors, Lazy J Clothing was born. When asked about the business' name, Hancock replied: "Lazy J is a spinoff from my cattle brand. It takes me back to my roots!"

With most of its suppliers in California, Lazy J Clothing carries casual and business casual clothing. "My best customers are my classmates' moms," Hancock chuckled. Targeting a wide range of ages, the inventory in Chinook included several fashionable summer tops. One in particular brought a chuckle: a rayon and spandex flowy bottomed A-line tank in royal blue was printed with white lettering that read: "Alexa, Reset 2020." Other items for sale included bras and bralettes, jewelry, handbags, and what Hancock called COVID Keychains.

"The pointer end can be used to push buttons, such as on an ATM, elevator, or whatever, and the hook end can pull doors open! Hands free; no touchy touchy," Hancock explained.

The business gives her the opportunity to get out and socialize with people in small towns. Besides operating in Chinook for events like the Parade of Lights and the Sugarbeet Festival, she has set up in Joplin and in Havre. When she's in Chinook, she rents the space on Indiana Street from T.J. Overcast.

"I like the small-town feel; it's relaxed and I get to meet new people," Hancock said.

The business also has a presence online with a Facebook Group. Through this Group, Lazy J Clothing provides a convenient and low-stress format for those shopping for women's clothing. Hancock posts a new item for sale every weekday, and an interested shopper simply comments with her size and color choice (if applicable) to place an order.

Hancock then privately messages the shopper to collect further information on pickup or shipping and preferred method of payment. Billings-area residents are able to retrieve their items from the Hancock residence if they wish or have them mailed directly. Using the United States Postal Service, Lazy J ships anywhere in the U.S.

The most challenging aspect of starting a business for Hancock was the feeling that she wasn't successful. "I always strive to do my best at whatever it is that I do, so to start something completely different and struggle at times was very challenging for me."

Embracing this fear factor comes through in Hancock's advice for others who are considering business ownership. "First of all, don't be afraid to take a chance at doing something new! And do not give up when it gets hard! Also, think outside the box. When I started this business, it was designed to be a Facebook-based business only. But I ventured out into attending festivals and shows, and that part is now my favorite!"

Hancock concluded by expressing gratitude for the support she has had in getting the business operational. "I am especially grateful to my husband for being so supportive and amazing in this venture. My husband has been my 'enforcer.' He is always there, pushing me to continue when it gets difficult."