Relax

Lately life has been a bit stressful. I've been going back and forth between two stores and my schedule has been less than ideal. I've been working almost everyday and not spending enough time with my family. On top of that Greg's job is taking up more time as well which has been hard to balance as he tries to finish things around the store. The bathroom still isn't working, the landscaping isn't finished, more lighting needs to be put up and the signs need to be hung. Every morning I would wake up just feeling this immense amount of pressure to get it all perfect. And then God reminded me that I have to relax. Which is funny because it's not like I found some quiet time in order to hear that. I've been pretty bad at that lately and I think God got tired of waiting for me to ask what he thought. But he loved me enough to tell me anyway. Relax. I'm new to Paia and I want our business to do well and to fit in too. I want to be accepted by the community of course. But I didn't build this store to impress the neighborhood. I did it in order to take care of my family. To do something with my Mom. To grow as an artist. To teach my children about life and faith. To provide. To enjoy what God has given me. If I forget to do all of that because I'm so worried of failing and what others think then what on earth was the point? So this is me trying to relax and enjoy the process of it all. Today I'm OK.

My Handy Man

Here's to my husband. He drives me crazy sometimes but I know for a fact that I drive him nuts too. Especially when I ask him to build me a table for the new store ASAP. What boggles my mind is that he actually turns around and does it. And he does it with style. He didn't just build a table, he stained it, painted it, pickled it and distressed it for me in one afternoon. Thanks honey. It's the prettiest table ever.

Her First

Maybe I'm paranoid but I feel like I need to address this now. Before anything else I'm a Mom to the world's most precious child. So if she is running a fever and I have nobody to work for me then yes, I will probably close for the day. If I miss her and need a Sophie day then I will probably bring her to work with me. And if on a day like today when the island is storming I will take my time getting her to preschool, open the store late and close early. And if you think that's unprofessional on my part then maybe your right. But then I really don't want your business anyway.

For Me?

I have the most amazing customers. It's almost absurd to me how loyal and kind they are. The most loyal and kind ones are the ones that I met my first six months in that kiosk in Kaanapali. There must have been something pretty endearing about me, scared out of my mind trying to make my dreams come true! I'm still scared out of my mind. That hasn't changed. But I am a little bit more aware of how odd it is that these people keep in touch with me. For example, my friend Shriley. This lady bought a few starfish bracelets three years ago when I first opened. Those bracelets have reappeared in my life several times needing repairs. Once by mail, and the other time through some friends of hers on vacation. Both times I happily repaired them because that's my job, but kindly reminded her that maybe it wasn't a good idea to wear them EVERYDAY. Do you know what she did? She knitted me this scarf. Or crotchet? I'm not sure. But it took her 9 hours! And then she held on to it for a year until she was able to make it out to Maui again! I almost cried when she showed up in our Paia shop and handed it to me. I have more stories like this, especially once Sophie was born. And it just blows me away. So I just wanted to say thank you. I believe that God purposely puts customers like you in my life to reassure me that I'm not crazy. I think that he did it very often early on because I was an emotional wreck all of the time and needed the encouragement of strangers who would later become friends. So again, thank you. You know who you are.

A Day Off

Today is the first full day that I have had off in over a month (with the exception of Christmas of course). Managing two stores is overwhelming. I know that it will get easier as business picks up and we have a regular staff in place. But for now it's overwhelming. If I'm not in Wailea then I'm in Paia and if I'm not in either place then it's night time and I'm in my office making jewelry. Thanks to my assistant I was blessed with a full day at home with my little girl. And let me tell you it was much needed. We haven't had one of these 'just the two of us' days in awhile and we really didn't have anywhere to be. So we did something that I always want to do but never can because Saturday is normally a work day. We went garage sale hopping. Maui is a pretty great place for garage sales. People either have generations of family here so they have a lot of really great old stuff, or they were only here temporarily and are now leaving the island so they have a lot of really great new stuff. I know that garage sale hopping with a toddler probably doesn't sound like fun to most. But with a child like Sophie who instantly bonds with every stranger she meets it can actually be a lot of fun. And since all the garage sales are in my neighborhood it was pretty convenient too. I didn't find anything for me but Sophie definitely scored. The pieces are old and will need a bit of fixing and granted Sophie doesn't have a doll house yet. But we can find or build that later.

It's been an amazing day. I will go to bed tonight at peace and reminded that next to her none of it matters.

Meet My Mom

My mom, Sally, moved to Maui about 2 years after Greg and I did. We had just opened up the Kiosk in Whalers Village when she arrived. It has been so amazing having her here. She has been able to watch as we grew our family and our business. Not everybody is blessed enough to have loved ones so close. I think that most people know that from the beginning I wanted Sophie Grace Maui to be a family company. More than just Greg and I. I wanted my Mom, and hopefully our kids one day, to all be a part of it. At first though there wasn't a whole lot for my Mom to be a part of. It really was a one person operation. But now I am excited to announce that she will be my partner in the Paia location. I'm so relieved to have somebody that I trust by my side helping with the decision making and the execution of all things Sophie Grace. OK, maybe not all things! But lots of things, that's for sure. Owning a business can be a little lonely at times. It's nice to know that at the end of the day I'm surrounded by people who love and support me. Next time that you are in Paia please stop by and say hi to her! Opening day is just around the corner...

Dear Mom,

What a roller coaster these last few months have been! I promise that it won't always be this stressful. I feel like we really haven't even had a chance to celebrate yet. I've been up most the night making jewelry for our opening. But before I called it a night I wanted to make sure you knew how excited I am. Thank you for believing in me and loving me enough to attach yourself to my crazy world. I hope that you love your new store and that you can find the same joy in art and fashion and people that I do. I love you so much and am thrilled to call you my partner almost as much as I am to call you my Mom.

Sorry

I have been and will probably continue to be a little MIA as we get ready to open the store. Lots of jewelry to be made! But I will be sure to announce opening day as it approaches and post pictures as well. We are shooting for mid December, in time for Christmas.