Starting a business is a tough job. Building a website is an even tougher job. I have spent months researching the how-tos and what-ifs, the ins and outs, and stalking my favorite online small business stores and influencers to see what I liked best about what they were doing.
Fast forward ... I opened this business officially in the first few weeks of 2024. I chose a name and I picked the Shopify platform to build our online sales store. Most of this was done from my bed, in doctors offices, and in my car while waiting between those doctor and therapy visits.
You see... I'm a mom. A busy SAHM. People tell me all the time, " I just don't know how you do it." Spoiler alert- I DON'T KNOW EITHER! and yet each and every day we get up and get it done... or at least make an attempt.
I do know there are not enough hours in a day or a night for that matter- which is when its quiet in my house. I often look up and realize its 2 a.m. and I'm not even half way through my business to-do list much less the to-do list that keeps our household running.
So for this first blog post I'll just let you in on the truth... I'm just another MOM. I'm like most of you and am at a time in my life when it is so important that I be home with my family. My career is being the mom that my family needs me to be. Working outside of the home is not an option for me. We live in a rural area which puts limitations on available work, access to services and programs others in a more populated area would have. Our lives are messy and consist of illnesses, chronic conditions and special needs, ex spouses, messy divorces, and all the crazy you can imagine. There are so many days that I sit and think... "I can't make this stuff up." It's like I'm living in a lifetime movie over here but I have very little control or influence over the script writers. I spend hours each week transporting kids to therapies and doctor visits. Our evenings and weekends are full of community events, volunteering, and extracurricular activities. Our bills and expenses continue to pile up. We homeschool because that is what is best for our kids who have each had negative experiences with our local school system (another soapbox that I'll save for another post) But like so many moms out there... I'm just trying to do the best I can. Sound familiar? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Even if you are not in this stage of your life you can probably still relate because you have already survived that era or you can learn from my mistakes and experiences as you start your journey.
I'd be lying if I didn't share the many bright aspects of our lives as well. We have amazing relationships with our family. We have wonderful friends that embrace our crazy and have become part of our extended family. And we are unbelievably blessed to be surrounded by a welcoming, supportive, and generous community and church family.
As I think ahead to all the things I could share with each of you as we travel this journey together my mind starts reeling... its like there are too many tabs open in my brain and my processor is slowing way down. Did that hit home?
I know you are all so much like me- exhausted to the bone but full of hope. Hope that our efforts make a difference. Hope that our children will grow up to be wonderful human beings. Hope that each and every ounce of love that we pour into this life, our children, our spouses, our families, our friends, and our communities will make a difference.
So here I sit on The Corner of Corinth & Main with hope that stepping out on faith, starting this business, and sharing my story, our story with you will make a difference if even to let you know that you are not alone in this CRAZY life.