Missouri State Alum Jeena Hunget Makes Her Dream a Reality
By Carissa Hodson

When she was a student at Missouri State University (then Southwest Missouri State University), Jeena Hunget says she went from getting lost going to class in Glass Hall to knowing the building “like the back of my hand” by the time she graduated. Since leaving Glass’s hallowed halls in 1999, Hunget has embarked on some notable endeavors – from motherhood to starting her own business.

While Hunget was still a student at Missouri State University, she had an inspirational idea that has followed her to the present. Hunget recalls, “I was out shopping for sheets with my mom, and I said to her, ‘Why should I buy these high thread count sheets when I don’t have high thread count pajamas?’ It was kind of a joke at first, but I kept thinking about it.” 

For a while, those ideas remained in Hunget’s thoughts, as she pursued other things. She received her degree in Marketing from Missouri State University in 1999, specializing in retailing and merchandising. Hunget married Jake (whom she met at Missouri State) and worked for a time as an assistant buyer for The Buckle and later for an insurance company. Three years ago Hunget was, as she describes it, “…hired on permanently for a new position – motherhood.” She and Jake now have two children, Sophie, three, and Carter, one.

Soon after becoming a mother, Hunget’s mind began to return to her earlier ideas of creating a line of Egyptian cotton pajamas. Selling the line on the internet would enable her to run a business and continue to stay at home with her children – as she calls it, “The best of both worlds.” On New Year’s Day in 2005, Hunget made a resolution and began making her dream a reality. She began to pour time into researching fabric and the other resources she would need.

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A seemingly simple observation while in college has paved the way to a thriving internet business.

The biggest challenge Hunget says she faced was time. “Everything takes a little longer than what you planned for.” In light of the lessons she learned during this start-up phase of her business, Hunget advises those considering entrepreneurship, “Be patient. I tapped my foot many times, but I realized that didn’t help things move any faster. It’s inevitable that there will be delays. Some things may have cost me some time, but I know, in the end, my product is better because of it.”

Despite obstacles and challenges, Hunget’s business is now up and running. The company is called Body Linens and sells a complete line of men and women’s pajamas in 300, 500 and 800 thread count, Egyptian cotton. Hunget designs each of the luxurious, elegant pajamas herself. Recently she found out pajamas from Body Linens would be included in gift baskets for TBS’ First Annual Comedy Festival, as well as featured along with “gift guru” Lash Fary’s book, Fabulous Gifts on a media tour.

Hunget recalls being in Dr. Linda Pettijohn’s Retailing/Merchandising class and discussing whether or not the internet was a viable place for retailers. She admits, “I can’t remember if I was for it or against it, but it’s obviously a booming outlet for retailers now!” Certainly, it has opened doors as a promising marketplace for Body Linens. With a great start and an ambitious owner driving the company, the future looks cozy for Hunget’s Egyptian cotton pajamas!

Check out her website at www.bodylinens.com.
 

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