for the love of dreams

Almost exactly three years ago, I quit my "day job", threw caution to the wind and followed a dream.  I always laugh when people talk about formal "business plans" because mine was (quite literally) "why not?" with a little bit of "if not now, when?" thrown in for good measure.

"If you build it, they will come."  (Field of Dreams)   

The vision and passion behind the dream was to create a gathering space where I could empower women by giving them the gift of their own inherent sovereignty and divinity.  And so the retail gift shop and wellness sanctuary was built.  From the ground up. 

And it was (if I do say so myself) a masterpiece of beauty, born out of love.

Shift Happens.         

A lot happened this past year - all of it bringing me to a place where I knew I had to take a step back and look at where I was and where I wanted to be. Under the pressure of increasing overhead and a declining economy / recession, owning and maintaining a business wasn't fun anymore.  The joy was gone and I wanted to get it back.

Some things had to go so that some things could stay.  It was time to scale back and simplify.  That's when I decided to move.  Driving through downtown one day, I saw the "For Rent" sign in the window, and the rest is, as they say history!

my new space at 914 Clinton St.



The new location is only a block west of where I was, but I am nestled across the street from a coffee shop and tea house, next door to an art gallery and a hop, skip and jump away from a really cool restaurant with roof top dining.  This neighborhood is like an artist's colony and I am so loving it already!  



beautious and spacious - my blank canvas

So, when I first opened my store, I started off small and added to it over the three years - bringing in furniture, fixtures and display (as it's known in the trade) bit by bit and piece by piece.  I had no real concept of everything I had until we started moving it all:





I have a lot of furniture, fixture and display.  Not to mention box upon box of inventory.  

It all came over all at once.  Nestled, propped, lined up and stacked into every corner, nook and cranny.  Standing in the middle of it, I can admit it was rather daunting.  But just as I asked myself "where do I even start?" the girlfriends showed up - bearing gifts of coffee and candy; graciously offering up their time, creativity, companionship and able bodies!

We've spent the last 4 days unpacking and arranging and hanging and the blank canvas is being filled in and coming together.  Beautifully and bodaciously.  The vision I had for what I wanted it to be is coming to life.  And I am so beside myself excited!   

Today is our day for the finishing touches so I can be open for business at 10 am tomorrow.  And although there's still a lot to do, I'm not worried.  I know it will all come together and by tonight we'll be dancing with the music and toasting to the future.

I'll take pictures to show you!

So yes, today I surround myself with the love of dreams, and visions, and passions and creativity, and girlfriends.  And a husband who patiently moves the heavy stuff and seems to have just the right tool for whatever is needed!