Neck Pain, The Power of Social Media, and Physical Therapy!
Earlier this year I posted a photo on Facebook sharing details on some weird neck pain I was experiencing. I tend to hold all of my stress in my neck and shoulders which leads to moments of excruciating pain and feeling uncomfortable doing the most basic things. Luckily, I had a lot of amazing people reach out in the comments, messages, and emails with tips and suggestions on how to relieve the pain. One of those people happened to be the owner of Athletity Physical Therapy, Shari.
Earlier this year I posted a photo on Facebook sharing details on some weird neck pain I was experiencing. I tend to hold all of my stress in my neck and shoulders which leads to moments of excruciating pain and feeling uncomfortable doing the most basic things. Luckily, I had a lot of amazing people reach out in the comments, messages, and emails with tips and suggestions on how to relieve the pain. One of those people happened to be the owner of Athletity Physical Therapy, Shari.
Shari reached out to offer some tips and also welcomed me into her Dublin office well before my family doctor could get me in so that I could start feeling better much faster. As a busy mom of three, business owner, and juggler of so many things it was important to put the pain behind me so I could move on with my life.
After two visits with Shari, I was feeling better and able to get back to normal life. I had an actual diagnosis other than neck pain and she helped me realize how I can stay on top of my health so it never has to get so bad again. Major Win!
We’re all very busy so instead of lots of words and stories I’m going to make it very easy by listing the most important things you need to know about being a patient with Athletity.
The Office is KID FRIENDLY
The office is very kid-friendly. I work from home which means I’m also the primary caregiver for my children, and my youngest daughter isn’t in school yet so she tags along with me to a lot of my appointments and errands. Shari was very welcoming to both of us which made it so much easier for me to relax and get the most of my time with Shari. Not only was my daughter welcome but she was encouraged to explore and play with safe items around the office.
Shari Understands Mom Life!
Shari is a busy mom so she gets exactly what we’re all going through and she makes it easy for us to feel stronger and be our best selves.
Dr. Shari is Full of Information
I work best when I know the why behind it. I need to know why things are the way they are to help me process the outcome. It’s just who I am. Shari was always forthcoming with so much information that made it easy for me to digest it all and know exactly what I need to do when the pain sneaks up on me.
Amazing FREE Content
Athletity has a great YouTube channel that’s perfect to view before your first session, in between sessions, or just to learn more about different scenarios.
Telehealth Visits
If you’re not local or you just can’t make it into the office - Dr. Shari has been offering telehealth services since 2017. She can help make sure your health is a top priority so you can be the strong human we all know you are.
Her Specialties Include:
She specializes in helping moms with pregnancy aches, postpartum hurdles pelvic floor and core, aches from life: back pain, neck tension, and tightness, upper backaches, knee pain, hip pain, aches from running, plus so much more!!
Overall, I loved my experience with Dr. Shari and with her help, I’ve been able to stay on top of my neck pain and keep it completely at bay over the last few months by having some go-to techniques to pull out when I need them.
You can find Dr. Shari on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Schedule with Dr. Shari
5 Frequently Asked Questions: My Blogging Journey
Blogging is popular but a lot of people still don’t really understand it, which I get. It’s weird. Being able to share things I love and make a living for my family is a dream. It gives me the flexibility I need and the fun creative challenges I crave. Today I’m answering some of the questions I get most often. I can always do a part two another day.
I get a lot of questions in various forms - in person, through social media, and sometimes through email. I’ve put together a list of them to answer on the blog and decided it would be easiest to break them down by category. Some of the categories include things like favorite places to eat, my blogging journey, entertainment, parenting, mental health, and more.
I thought today as I kick off this new series, I would talk about the start of 614 Mom and all of the questions surrounding the logistics of the blog. Blogging is popular but a lot of people still don’t really understand it, which I get. It’s weird. Being able to share things I love and make a living for my family is a dream. It gives me the flexibility I need and the fun creative challenges I crave. Today I’m answering some of the questions I get most often. I can always do a part two another day.
Questions are always welcome and I love talking to all of you so please reach out if you have a question you’d like me to answer!
Why did you start 614 Mom?
I started 614 Mom almost 6 years ago as a fun outlet after I started staying home with my two little kids. I was on the hunt for fun things to do with my kids that were more unique and fun and decided to start sharing them on Instagram. I just wanted to write and share my thoughts with other moms. I wanted to create a space for moms that’s about us. Yes, we love our families and doing fun things with them and we love ourselves. We can do both. We should do both. I had no idea what I was doing but I learned a lot along the way and luckily so much of it is so natural for me. It’s worth noting that this was also before the big blogging boom in Columbus.
When did it transition from hobby to business?
I still vividly remember my first sponsored post. I can remember sitting at my desk downstairs typing, going downtown with my new camera to take pictures, and putting everything together. It was so much fun. I was in love with this world. I was so shocked that someone wanted to pay me to share about their business. Once I posted that piece, it started to flow and more sponsorship requests started hitting my inbox. I am so grateful for each and every one of the emails I got and still get, asking to be an advertiser on my site.
How do I (your reader) know the difference between something you’re getting paid for and something you’re just sharing to share?
Great question. First I want to say that I only share about products or services that I genuinely LOVE! I’ve turned down countless opportunities to bring in more income because I couldn’t stand behind the product or service with confidence.
With that being said how cool is it that I can be paid for my time and effort while also sharing about something that I love? Dream job! With that being said below are a few terms you’ll see on my site and what they mean.
Ad, Sponsored and Paid Partnership are all terms that describe that I am being paid to share about the products and services.
Gifted is the term I will use if I am sent something for free.
Hosted is the term I use when a business is hosting myself and/or my family for an event, trip, etc.
Affiliate - Being an affiliate means I get a small percentage of the sale if any of you purchase from that link. It doesn’t cost you any more to use that link, it just allows me to make a small amount of money for the work I do. When I say small I mean anywhere from 2% to 10% but generally not more than 5% of the sale. Every single click adds up though so purchasing through my affiliate links is always appreciated.
Is 614 Mom your full-time job
It’s not. I used to do this full time and what I found was that I was so worried about the numbers and it stressed me out and took the fun away. I’m really happy with where it’s at now - I get to post what I want and not focus on keeping up while still doing what I love. It is a job though - just a really fun one and not full time. :)
I actually own a digital marketing firm as well which is technically my full-time job. I help businesses with their online presence, teach classes on blogging and social media, and help small businesses with their workflows. I LOVE being able to do both. I love my jobs and how they fit so nicely together.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog?
Create a plan! Figure out what you love, pick a name, build your site, and start writing. Make sure that you’ve planned it out so that you can push through those days that are filled with busy schedules and writers’ block. I personally love Squarespace and Canva to help me produce the best content possible. If you have more questions I’m always happy to answer - send me an email or check out the classes that I teach. Either way, I’m always here to help!
What other questions do you have for me? Drop them in the comments.
Gift Guide For Her | 614 Mom
The holidays are approaching and it’s time to finish up those gifts. It’s important to remember that a lot of local businesses/small businesses close up shop earlier than bigger box stores. Pay attention to shipping notices and when in doubt ask. There are a few items on this list that are perfect as last-minute gifts as well. Enjoy :)
The holidays are approaching and it’s time to finish up those gifts. It’s important to remember that a lot of local businesses/small businesses close up shop earlier than bigger box stores. Pay attention to shipping notices and when in doubt ask. There are a few items on this list that are perfect as last-minute gifts as well. Enjoy :)
Polish & Tees
JRJ is the ONLY nail polish we use and my go-to for graphic tees and fun gifts. The nail polish is 9-Free, which means it doesn’t include the following ingredients formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, triphenyl phosphate (TPP), xylene, parabens, and ethyl tosylamide. It’s one of the cleanest nail polishes you’ll find and the colors are GORGEOUS! You may have seen me wear my mom jeans + caffeine sweatshirt or the as bad as they see tee, as well as so many others I have in my closet. I even have an old school JRJ tank from 2014.
Bliss Bag
This is a great gift for the person who has everything. Right now you can pick from previous months and find really unique gifts. Every bag comes with a rollerball, a truthbomb card, and extra special gifts each month. You get so much value from this bag and it is sure to bring a smile to her face.
Local Art
Amber from Kreating Art Intentionally is such a gem. She is crazy talented and her pieces are both inspirational and beautiful. You can reach out to her to purchase a print or get a custom piece.
Hydro Flask
The Hydro Flask isn’t just for VSCO girls. Hydro Flasks are so popular in part because they keep your drink hot/cold for hours. They come in a variety of colors which makes them an easy gift for anyone on your list.
Fun Tote Bags & Mugs
If she loves sweet with a side of sassy Offbeat Paper Co. is the space for you to do all of your shopping! There is something for everyone - including I like your butt card, cup of sunshine mug, and so much more.
Adult Coloring Book
I love to color. It’s so relaxing. There are so many adult coloring books that you can purchase for yourself or your loved ones. They make great stocking stuffers or pair them with some great colored pencils for a gift under the tree. I’ve also put a full list of fun ones on my Amazon page.
SEEL Handbags
Shopping local is always encouraged. This time of year it’s even more important to support our favorite local businesses. SEEL Made is a local business that makes gorgeous bags, wallets, and clutches. I got to feel the bags during a recent photoshoot and the quality is top-notch
Home Decor
Plan B Decor is another amazing local business. I have one of their welcome mats and a wreath and love them so much. I plan to make more purchases after our home renovation (I need to know what my house is going to look like first haha) The custom pillow is so cute. I love their stuff.
Jewelry
Mountain Feather Jewelry is a local to Columbus business that offers super cute jewelry. The best part? You can customize the jewelry to have special handwriting engraved or names of your favorite people.
Experiences
Skin & Sugar Gift Card
Is there anything better than a nice relaxing day at your favorite spa? I don’t think so. Skin and Sugar is my favorite and I tell everyone I know. Breanna is my esthetician and I typically book a facial & sugaring with her and once she sees my skin she decides what would be best that day. Sometimes it’s a chemical peel other days it’s the nano hydro facial. It really just depends on my skin and personally, I love that she’s looking out for me and not just trying to sell me on any service.
Massage with Ground & Bloom
This may sound weird but I’m just going to say it. Moe has the hands of an angel. A massage with Moe is E V E R Y T H I N G. If you want to win some major brownie points with the woman in your life book her a massage with Moe. On a side note - Moe does travel and can do a couples massage in your own. Please note: the massages will not be at the same time but back to back.
Energy Work
Energy work with Amy is such a gift. It’s the perfect gift for someone who has everything or anything who likes all things woo-woo.
Let’s Talk Finances & Savings Goals
I’m so happy that with the help of our bank we were able to better save for this expense. And a huge shout-out to our amazing H/VAC guy who let us know when this was going to happen, allowing us to plan for the expense! That’s what community is for - helping each other, supporting each other, and showing kindness. Now, this winter we will enjoy staying cozy under the covers without skipping a beat.
This post is brought to you by The Huntington National Bank and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
Unexpected changes within your home are never fun and this summer we found ourselves experiencing one of those changes. Our furnace died. Luckily, we knew this was a possibility, and it happened in July, so we’ve had plenty of time to save and prepare so we didn’t have to pull from our regular savings.
A few years ago, our air conditioner and refrigerator stopped working in the same month and it was beyond frustrating. It was in the middle of the summer and everything was hot and gross. We weren’t expecting either of those things to happen and it wasn’t fun on our bank accounts or schedules.
Luckily during all of that, our H/VAC guy told us to start planning because our furnace had one more winter in it before it died. As a nice surprise, it stayed with us for 2 more winters and then called it quits in the middle of July. This was all very helpful because it gave us the opportunity to plan for this particular home improvement.
I’ve mentioned before that we bank at Huntington and recently we’ve been using the Savings Goal GetterSM tool in The Hub. This tool allows us to create 10 different goals within our account (works with both savings and MMA accounts). We have categories like a new furnace, braces, home renovations, Disney vacation, car payoff, and a few more. It allows us to see how we are doing with each goal and when we will reach that goal, without having to create separate accounts.
We pay ourselves first and then pay our bills so we set it up so that each time a direct deposit comes into our account we set up an automatic transfer that sends a certain amount of money to each goal.
I like this tool because I’m a visual person and being able to see the progress we are making with each goal is so helpful for me. It also pushes me to work harder and save harder. I’m not going to lie - I’m addicted to online shopping and shoes ;) but now with these visuals, it’s so much easier for me to want to save and that’s something my husband is very happy about! :)
A few quick FAQs about Huntington’s Savings Goal Getter tool
Q: How is money transferred to the goals?
A: If you created an Emergency Fund (and I highly suggest you do for any unexpected expenses...like a broken furnace!), money will be assigned to your Emergency Fund first. Then it is divided between your other goals based on the goal amount you’re saving and the due date you give yourself for individual goals. The Savings Goal with the nearest due date will be assigned money first. This tool truly takes the guesswork out of saving!!
Q: How much money should I have in my emergency fund?
A: This is different for everyone but a good rule of thumb is to have at least 3 months’ worth of expenses saved in case of an unexpected expense.
Q: Can I only have 10 goals?
A: You can set up to ten goals for each Huntington savings or money market account plus one Emergency Fund, but you can add or change a Savings Goal as often as you like.
I’m so happy that with the help of our bank we were able to better save for this expense. And a huge shout-out to our amazing H/VAC guy who let us know when this was going to happen, allowing us to plan for the expense! That’s what community is for - helping each other, supporting each other, and showing kindness. Now, this winter we will enjoy staying cozy under the covers without skipping a beat.
Family Photos with Ashley D Photography | Columbus, Ohio | 614 Mom
I think every family needs to find a photographer that fits best for their family and luckily for us Ashley is that person. She lends a hand when I need help making sure our outfits look nicely together, she keeps my kids having fun during photos and most importantly she is so very patient. With three young kids who all love to be the center of attention having a patient photographer is important. I’m sure many of you can relate.
I’m a big fan of family photos - some years we get them done multiple times (thankful for mini sessions offered by our family photographer) and sometimes it’s over a year before we get them done. It really just depends on what’s going on with schedules and budgets.
I grew up as an only child to a single mom and family pictures just weren’t a thing for us - I didn’t even realize people did that until I went to a friend’s house and saw theirs hanging on the walls. However now as an adult I so wish I had photos of my mom and I in that stage of life. So now that I’m the mom and it falls on me, I make sure we get them done.
Another memory that sticks out so clearly is taking a photo of my mom on a disposable camera and I LOVED it of her. She was wearing a salmon pink sweatshirt with big white letters, light jeans, and sitting on the bottom edge of her bed. I can still see the photo in my hand. When we got the photos developed my mom HATED this photo of her. While I saw my beautiful mom smiling and looking so happy - she saw those extra 10 pounds she didn’t love, her hair wasn’t perfect, and she made me get rid of it. Talk about heart-wrenching.
So now I vow to be in the photos - I may not always look like model material (like ever) but when my kids are adults they will look back and be able to remember all the fun we had. While we do take a lot of selfies and use portrait mode on my iPhone often - nothing compares to the high-quality professional photos we take each year with Ashley D Photography.
I think every family needs to find a photographer that fits best for their family and luckily for us Ashley is that person. She lends a hand when I need help making sure our outfits look nicely together, she keeps my kids having fun during photos and most importantly she is so very patient. With three young kids who all love to be the center of attention having a patient photographer is important. I’m sure many of you can relate.
Ashley is always the first to tell me how beautiful I look. It’s like she knows I need just a boost of confidence before we get started and she gives it to me.
I’ll let the photos speak for themselves and when you’re ready to book your own session you can simply click the button below. :)
My Birthday Wish Came True!
When we arrived at the warehouse it was quiet, I guess I had been so used to going into these mattress stores with 5-10 guys ready to pounce and that’s what I was expecting. I was wrong. Ben was there along with some candy for the kids, water and beer for the adults, and his mattresses. We started talking, he got to know us and we got to know more about him and why he opened C*BUS Mattress and then we got down to business. He asked us a lot of questions about how we sleep, if we had any health issues, etc. Then he took us around and showed us all of the different mattresses we can choose from. Ben encouraged us to lay on them as we would at home and to get comfortable.
You guys I’ve been sleeping better this week than I have in YEARS! I should probably explain - I’ve had my mattress for over 10 years. My parents bought it for me when I still lived at their house (if I told you the exact number of years you’d probably judge me for just now making this switch) This year for my birthday all I wanted was to get a new mattress. I wanted to trade in our queen for a king size and finally sleep like adults. :)
We’ve been looking for a long time and we kept feeling overwhelmed. The big mattress stores just felt too salesy and not like they genuinely cared about helping us find something that worked for both my husband and I. I have back problems and he doesn’t so we were looking for something we both loved - basically a unicorn. We went online and looked at all of the mattresses we could find and to be quite honest I didn’t want to take the risk of ordering a mattress that I had not tried before. The hassle of it all sounded like too much.
A friend of mine who I met through my Business of Blogging course recommended I check out C*BUS Mattress. They are located in Grandview and if she wouldn’t have told me about them, I never would have found them. C*BUS Mattress was everything I didn’t know I needed. I set up an appointment with the owner, Ben, for a weekend that my husband could join us. Ben encouraged us to bring the kids and not stress about them running around while we looked.
When we arrived at the warehouse it was quiet, I guess I had been so used to going into these mattress stores with 5-10 guys ready to pounce and that’s what I was expecting. I was wrong. Ben was there along with some candy for the kids, water and beer for the adults, and his mattresses. We started talking, he got to know us and we got to know more about him and why he opened C*BUS Mattress and then we got down to business. He asked us a lot of questions about how we sleep, if we had any health issues, etc. Then he took us around and showed us all of the different mattresses we can choose from. Ben encouraged us to lay on them as we would at home and to get comfortable.
The kids had no idea what was going on because they made themselves at home on one of the mattresses and Ben put on their favorite Netflix show. They were H A P P Y.
We finally settled on one that was firm for me but with a pillow top for my husband and I’m not kidding - I’ve been sleeping better than ever since it was delivered.
On delivery day we were given time between 4pm-5pm and they arrived around 4:30. They do not dispose of old mattresses but they do help carry the old one to another room or to the garage if needed. They set up the frame, box springs, and finally the mattress. We also purchased all of the needed items from C*BUS Matress including a mattress pad, sheets, and two king-sized pillows. They were in a red bag on the mattress when they finished with the install.
It made purchasing a new bed easy and convenient for a very busy mom and business owner who is always taking care of others. This time I put myself first and did something that would impact my everyday life.
Things To Know About C*BUS Mattress
Your appointment time is YOURS. You get to take your time without a sleazy salesman trying to get you in and out.
Ben will take care of you. He wants you to be happy and confident with your purchase.
The delivery drivers are quality people. Ben would never send strangers into someone’s home. He wants to deliver the same great service at the warehouse and in your home.
Get the accessories with Ben - the sheets are so soft and the pillows are a dream!
There is a mattress for you there. He has some in all price ranges but not so many that it feels overwhelming to pick one.
Have questions? Comment below or send me an email. I’m here to help! :)
Ignore our carpet - we need to get that replaced that too :)
Spending Intentional Time With My Daughter
As my daughter has gotten older I’ve noticed that we are very similar and we share similar love languages. The biggest one we both hold is Quality Time. I just want to spend uninterrupted time with the people in my life, and when people put what they are doing on hold to focus on me I feel more loved. My oldest is very similar in that way and I am always looking for fun ways that she and I can spend quality time together.
Thank you Empowered Minds for sponsoring this post. As always all thoughts and opinions remain my own and I would never recommend a product or service I don’t fully stand behind.
As my daughter has gotten older I’ve noticed that we are very similar and we share similar love languages. The biggest one we both hold is Quality Time. I just want to spend uninterrupted time with the people in my life, and when people put what they are doing on hold to focus on me I feel more loved. My oldest is very similar in that way and I am always looking for fun ways that she and I can spend quality time together. Gosh, I love that kid. It truly fills my heart that she loves quality time as much as I do. It isn’t always a big event or something pricey, sometimes it’s curling up with a good book and reading together, sometimes it’s taking only her to the grocery store with me, and more recently it’s filling out her J.O.Y. Journal together.
J.O.Y. Journal
The J.O.Y. Journal helps us connect daily and sparks conversations that then turn into bigger conversations. The Just Own You (J.O.Y.) Journal is designed for girls to embrace their unique self through guided activities. The journal really encourages self acceptance and self love which are two things I want my children to feel every single day of their lives.
We started the J.O.Y. Journal by talking about E’s biography, her best day ever and what that looks like, quotes that guide her, detective work, and so much more. Once we wrapped up that part of the book we started a section called My Daily Review. My Daily Review is a section where we reflect on things she’s excited about, lessons she’s learned that day, and other really fun things to reflect on. It also gives her so much space to write whatever is on her mind.
The J.O.Y. Journal was created by a mother/daughter duo who are passionate about helping others live of a life of self acceptance, confidence, and self love. Hearing their story brought me to tears as I’ve thought about the conversations I’ve had with my daughter. About a year ago she drew a photo of us standing outside of a building with the word ‘SPA’ written on the building. Emmalyn told me that this photo is of our future mother/daughter spa that we will own when she is older. Instant tears. Watching another mother/daughter team go after their dream and doing it together is so inspirational for me and I am happy to support their mission.
Through working on this journey together my daughter and I have connected with each other in new ways, we have learned more about the other, we’ve laughed, we’ve been silly, we’ve been thoughtful, and most importantly we’ve spent uninterrupted quality time together and that is something I am so thankful for. You can get your J.O.Y. Journal through their website and on Amazon. The J.O.Y. Journal makes the perfect gift for the girl in your life whether that’s for the holidays, birthdays, or a just because I love you gift.
Have you used the J.O.Y. Journal? Tell me about it in the comments. If you order let me know! I’d love to hear what you think.
How Coworking Helped Me Spend More Intentional Time With My Children | Haven Collective | 614 Mom
As soon as I left I could just feel that the change in my business was going to happen there. That was where I needed to be the business owner I had always dreamed of being. I can’t really explain it, but I have proof because as soon as I got home I sent one email and took the rest of the day off. That email - was to Melissa …
Wow. This blog post has been weighing on my heart for awhile now and it feels so good to sit down and get it all typed out. There are a lot of articles about the benefits of coworking and I would have to agree with anyone who tells me coworking is great for business. Coworking has helped me in my business tremendously and I remain thankful every single day for my membership at Haven Collective. The one thing I never predicted? The way coworking would help me spend more intentional time with my children.
As a work from home mom my days are looooong. The day starts early with breakfast, school drop off, and playtime for the youngest two. We typically head to the park where I ask them to sit in the car just a few extra minutes so I can respond to that one email that turns into three and then we get out to play. I check my phone a few times throughout the day, like a high school student in class, trying not to get caught….but they catch me. Every. Single. Time. I’m still TOTALLY in the moment though, I lie to myself.
I’m not trying to ignore them - I’m trying to help a client. A client who pays me so I can pay for tball, ballet, random trips to the LEGO store, and everything else their little hearts desire. Because they deserve the world, and I’m going to give them the freaking world.
We head home and I make lunch and put them both down for nap. Nap time - great that’s my work time. First though let’s switch laundry and run the dishwasher so those things can be working while I am. Work smarter not harder...right? Crap that dish hit the sink too hard and now the baby is crying. Get her back down for nap and now I’m exhausted. I sit. For the first time all day, I sit. I email a little on my phone, scroll through social media (that is part of my job after all) and try to cram in as much work as possible in the precious hour that I have before going to pick up my oldest from school.
Next thing I know it’s 9 pm and all the kids are in bed, I grab my bestie (AKA my laptop) and open it up to find an overwhelming amount of work that is going to keep me up until at least midnight. I’m pretty sure in that day I wasn’t as in the moment as I thought I was, I saw my husband for all of twenty minutes, and I’m exhausted.
This isn’t the life I dreamed of when I first decided to go into work for myself, but it’s all part of the grind I try to tell myself while wishing I could be in the moment more. It’s that stage of business that’s hard and I just happen to be going through it while also raising three young children.
My first time ever at Haven - February 27, 2018!! Taken from the Haven Collective Instagram.
When I decided to tour Haven Collective it was mainly just to see the space and say hi to two women I felt like I knew through the power of social media. I had also recently won an award and part of that prize was a one month membership to Haven, so I was excited to talk about maybe turning that in and claiming my free month just to see what it was all about, I wasn’t ready to start paying for office space and my business wasn’t making enough to justify the expense. Plus - what about my kids? Where would they go?
From the minute I sat down on the green couch to talk with Melissa (co creator of Haven) I felt like this was my space. They get me here, the struggle is so real being a business owner and then throw in being a parent, especially when you’re the primary caregiver for your kids, it’s tough. The guilt is so strong and hard to shake most days. I could have sat and talked to Melissa for hours (and maybe we did?)
As soon as I left I could just feel that the change in my business was going to happen there. That was where I needed to be to become the business owner I had always dreamed of being. I can’t really explain it, but I have proof because as soon as I got home I sent one email and took the rest of the day off. That email - was to Melissa telling her to sign me up for my one free month and that I didn’t really have any plans on cancelling once that month was over. I was ready to dive all the way in.
Also from my first time at Haven on 2/27/18 - I needed so much to see this sign. Haven gave me the confidence to start growing my business like I knew I needed to.
When I started on March 1, 2018 I was still figuring out a lot about myself and my business. I was at a point of growth with very little vision on where I wanted to be other than I knew it was time to hustle hard. Does that make sense? That was basically my brain for a few months, chaos. Thankfully the owners of Haven, Melissa and Danielle were there for me in ways that I desperately needed. I needed someone to talk through ideas with because I have A LOT of ideas and talking about them to myself in the shower just wasn’t cutting it anymore. They helped me see the light, they push me when I’m doubting myself, and my business growth has a lot to do with their encouragement.
I now spend at least once a week at Haven and sometimes that’s all I need. A few uninterrupted hours to H U S T L E.
Haven does have onsite childcare serviced by the best babysitting service in Columbus - Sitting Made Simple and it's so fun for the littles. They are opening up new playgroups for members this fall and I've got my youngest ready to go so mama can hustle every single Monday.
I can get everything done that I need to in one day at Haven that used to take my two weeks when juggling kids, house and work. Don’t get me wrong, I have a creative brain, there is always work to be done, but the most important stuff gets down so I can spend my nights working when I want to. I’ve met some amazing business owners who have turned into some of my closest friends, I’ve grown my business and I’m making three times the income I used to make. The best part though? When I’m home with my kids, I am home with my kids. I can turn off email and notifications because I’m caught up. I’m not always behind. I can just go to the park and catch them as they slide down the tallest slide. I can take the day off and drive to the candy factory without once checking my email and now when I turn on the laptop while they’re awake it’s to crank up Kidz Bop on Spotify for an epic dance party. My kids definitely get their love for a midday dance party from their mama! :)
This is the perfect image to sum up how I feel about being a member of Haven!! Sitting next to a friend and someone I admire so much - co creator of Haven, Danielle Lim.