Our Story

About Us

Julep and Juniper was born from a place of resilience, reinvention, and unwavering love.

In March of 2021, our lives changed forever. I was struck by an impaired driver while riding my motorcycle—an accident that left me in a coma for 35 days, 40 days on a ventilator, and eventually cost me my left leg. I had proudly served as a firefighter and paramedic for 33 years, with plans to become a flight nurse after retirement. That dream ended with the accident. In 2022, my leg was amputated due to the severity of my injuries. And in early 2024, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia—yet another challenge we’ve taken head-on.

My wife, Jen, has been my rock through it all. As an educator at the state level, she not only brought strength and stability into our home, but she also stood beside me through every hospital stay, every recovery milestone, and every tough diagnosis. Her support has never wavered—and her courage in the face of trauma mirrors my own.

While I may now rely on a prosthetic and require a more sedentary lifestyle, my desire to contribute, create, and serve remains. That’s what led us to create Julep and Juniper—a business where we can work together, support our family, and bring beautiful, meaningful products to life.

From custom embroidery to personalized gifts, everything we make carries our story—a reminder that even in the face of life’s hardest moments, purpose and beauty can still be found.

Thank you for supporting our small business and being part of this journey with us.

 

— Chad & Jen