Why Eat, Play and Shop Local?

Who are you? Are you like me? I have always been a creator. A maker. A designer. An entrepreneur. A business owner. Someone who gets an idea in her head and sees so far into the future and how amazing that business could be or how much people would love what I am making. So many ideas! So many. I don’t sleep much. For those of you who feel the same, you know that this is something you are born with- a drive that has been inside of you since you can remember. Whether you have the means or opportunity to pursue these dreams, or whether the time just isn’t right, that passion never leaves. Once that light bulb moment happens, game on![if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></v:path> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"></o:lock> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_153" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Description: MG_9280-1" style='width:225pt;height:219pt;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/private/var/folders/cp/dm52pc5d5c75qy_kz7rl29rh0000gn/T/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg" o:title="MG_9280-1"></v:imagedata> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

Faith. Patience. Trust. Hope. I spend hours and money, and shed tears doing anything and everything and more to bring my vision into reality. So much time put into this piece, this shop, this restaurant, this dream. Time away from friends and family. Years and milestones of my babies gone, lost forever. Am I crazy? Is it all worth it? But with so much excitement, it has to be worth it. I mean I love this! Of course, people are not going to not be able to live without having one, or without stopping by my amazing shop, or eating the most delectable cuisine in this city! People will feel my purpose, my heart, and my hard work the second they cross the threshold or the moment they hang my creation in their living room. I mean… Right?!

Fear. Insecurity. Doubt. So now what? Who buys this? Who comes into my boutique? Who orders my fresh-baked cookies? Friends and family love them, of course, and tell me to list on Etsy, saying, “these will be a huge hit!” But honestly, the thought of having to pack and ship this big bulky thing just sounds like a huge pain in the tush. Should I approach local stores? Then the insecurity sets in. What if I show up and they hate it? What if I open this store and can’t pay the rent? What if….

We are all born with a passion. Maybe that isn’t to own your own business, and that is OK. Maybe your excitement insecurity, and energy resides in something else. The point of this is to help you relate and understand why artists, craftsmen, or businesses might cost more, take longer, or not be as easily accessible as the big box stores! And let’s be honest, we all shop them. I love the convenience and price selection in a one-stop shop. But our community knows us. They know our style, our behaviors, our unique qualities, and they cater to us. They want to make us happy. They love their products and want you to love them even more and will do anything to make you happy. They know where when our city hurts and eagerly want to be involved, restore, and give back. We want to gather together, and create community and support each other.

Passion. Community. Purpose. I want you to know that I am you. I am a maker. I am designer. I am a business owner. I am a customer. I have failed, failed too many times to count. I am passionate and I love my community. I understand your fears, hesitation, and excitement. I love watching the community support each other. To unite as businesses and help each other not feel threatened or intimidated. We are all in this together. Just know that when you are buying local it’s not just the cool thing to do but you are making a dream a reality. Know that the hours spent away from family have not been in vain. You are the answered prayer from to many nights on bended knee. You are paying the mortgage at the end of the month. You are driving us to continue doing what we love and inspiring us to create! You love eating, playing, shopping and supporting local and for that, we appreciate you!