Our story, or rather I should say, my story.
When I was a little girl, my family moved a lot. I mostly moved slowly to the midwest in middle school. Image going to middle school with an eastern accent. I remember my words and accent was different from my classmates. It is still today a topic of discussion how I called "pop" soda and "gym shoes" sneakers. Among other things. Now the midwest has been my home for 25 years.
Let me back up a bit though, for my business story. I always loved to pretend play. One very vivid memory I have is being at my Uncle Scott's wedding. I was a flower girl along with my cousin, who was like the best friend I could ever have and the sister I never had. I vividly remember collecting flower petals to make our own soap. Then selling the soaps. My cousin does not remember this memory at all. But here I am 30 years later still attributing it to where I am today.
In 2016 I had my third baby. A girl. She was just perfect in so many ways, but I was emotionally not. Everything just seemed so hard. I remember a distinct time where it was hard for me to even figure out how to make a sandwich for lunch for my kids. It was the strangest thing. I had to keep stopping and remembering the next step. Soon after I was diagnosed with PPD. My husband is such a great provider for our family. He has such a strong work ethic that I really admire. He works hard for us in every area of life. His current job at the time could be anywhere for 8-16 hours a day. This is very hard for me going through PPD. During that time my therapist, told me to journal my feelings and what was going on. I followed her instruction. Until one day little by little got better, and I can't even remember all the details of my feelings at that time. I truly believe God took those memories from me. It was (and is) a blessing He did so.
In 2017/18, I felt I just needed something that I was creating. I love to create. At this time, I had a 1, 5, and 9 year old. I began to just create things I loved and selling them here and there when I could. If I wanted to make myself a shirt, I would post a picture of my shirt. Sometimes someone wanted it and sometimes they didn't. I worked very minimal but it was something that was mine. It helped me crawl out of my PPD hole. Eventually even a local boutique reached out to me to partner with them to put signs, shirts, and ornaments in her shop.
I slowly honed what I did. For years, I made my own cleaning spray. I made my own cleaner because I have read so many things we put in our homes are actually toxic for us. At first, I just put it in a plastic bottle (which is horrible for oils FYI). I decided I loved these sprays so much, I should share this through my business. I began to look for bottles I loved. I made labels some labels, began sell it at a local boutique and so it began. At first, no one bought it. In business there are so many peaks and valleys. I thought maybe this wasn't my niche after all. Then slowly but surly my product began to sell. From there, I began to add other products that merged with my cleaning spray scents.
I am no longer at that particular boutique, but I am in some other local stores and I have this website. I am working with some customers that want to make gifts for their clients. Every day I learn something slowly that helps me grow my faith, myself, and my business. I have so many ideas for 2024. Ways to merge my faith. Ways to branch out. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and my business in 2024/beyond.
Each of you that are reading this, you have been in each of my business peaks and valleys. You have cheered me on, watched things not work, and supported me by just being you. Thank you so much for coming along side me in this journey.
So back to that little girl, 30 years ago. Here I am doing just what her heart was excited about. It is not soap but it is close.
Picture of one of my first cleaning spray orders.
picture of current cleaning and room spray labels in SNP every day line.