small business shout out

I am super excited to launch a new addition to my blog featuring a small business shout out.  Each month I will choose a small business to share with you. I believe in supporting small businesses because they ensure the livelihood of our communities, the creation of meaningful jobs, and the support of community. I am excited to photograph a day in the life of a small business each and every month and to then interview them so that you can learn the story behind their business, what they offer, as well as tips and suggestions for those of you who may be considering starting a business of your own.  I also can’t wait to hear how each small business owner works toward that challenging task of achieving life-work balance.

The first featured small business is Leave That For Lauren.  She was a game-changer for me and for my ridiculously disorganized garage.

Since opening a studio in my home about 2 and a half years ago, I have accumulated a LOT of props that are stored in the garage.  Well, life and work got in the way of keeping that space nice and organized and time got in the way of fixing the problem. The garage became a catch all, where things just got tossed.  I like organization. I like things to have their place.  And every time I walked into the garage I felt stressed. 

When I found Leave that for Lauren, I was hopeful that she could help me get back to a state of organization.  I expressed my needs to her: separate areas in the garage for props, kid stuff, and personal items, as well as the need to use the curtains I hung long ago to separate “kid stuff” from “business stuff.”

We worked together to create a super functional and organized space and for that I am so grateful!  If you keep reading, you will find my interview with Lauren. I love her tips, tricks, and life-hacks especially!

Here is a bit of info about Lauren’s amazing business:

What’s your business and the story behind it?

I am a professional organizer who loves to help her clients destress by showing them how to implement simple and affordable ideas in organizing all areas of their home. Leave That For Lauren began with major encouragement from her friends and family that praised my talent and creativity for organizing spaces in their homes.

My teaching background and being a mother of 3 kids, I feel current in everything that my clients need because I am living in it with them. My kids have a lot of stuff too, and I love coming up with creative ways to keep my house organized with out spending a fortune.

What’s your favorite product you make/sell/offer and why?

I love organizing most spaces, but my favorites are pantries and closets. I love making a space easy to use, pretty and maintainable. I also love decluttering a storage room and turning it into useable space.

There is something so gratifying about seeing that before and after of a room that you couldn’t walk in, to a room that can have a new purpose.

What is your advice for moms who want to start a business of their own?

Take the chance! This has been the best decision I have ever made. I love being my own boss.

I love that I can still be a mom (my kids come first) but I get to show them that I am making a difference in peoples lives. I think it is so important to teach a good work ethic, and by seeing me working every day, helps instill how important that is.

What are 2 of your go-to small local businesses and what do you love about them?

There are so many to choose from! I love supporting mom run businesses like myself. If I have to choose I would pick Lindsay Gopins business Rootz in Northbrook. She is a mom that saw a need for enriching environment for our kids. Rootz has become a second home to my kids. Any interest you have, there will be a class for you. My kids have taken dance, theatre, coding, gymnastics, fencing, just to name a few there. They love going and I know that they are in a safe, nurturing environment.

Another favorite of mine, is more of a treat to myself or someone special. That is Emmis Jewelry, the owner Jennifer Dubinsky is a local mom in our community who like me, wanted something more. She makes absolutely beautiful bracelets and necklaces. Her prices are affordable and she is beyond creative. I have given myself Emmis Jewelry for mothers day and birthdays many times.

What are some tips that help you (try to) achieve work-life balance?

To help me achieve a work-life balace, I make lists. I love crossing off items on my list. I don’t stress if the list is not finished in one day. It usually is not meant to be. I also have hired help for my own home. I tell my clients to not feel guilty having me in their home helping and I wasn’t taking my own advice.

I needed help so when I got home from work, I could enjoy my family, not stress that the laundry wasn’t put away. Hiring one of my staff memebers to do my laundry was a game changer for me.

What’s a typical day like for you?

6:30 Get up, get ready for the day

7:00 Feed and walk the dog

7:15 start waking my kids up, getting them ready, feed them breakfast and packed up. (Lunches are made the night before, chrome books are charged the night before and clothes are picked out the night before). I have my kids pack their bags and off we go.

8:15 Drive kids to school

8:30-9:30 Either workout or enjoy a cup of coffee and go over my day

9:30-3:00 Work with one client or up to 3 in a day.

3:25 Pick up my kids and then the chauffeuring around of activities begins.

6:00 dinner/homework/ relaxing

7:45 start bed time preparations. (I could usually fall asleep but my kids always find a bunch of energy right before bed)

9:00 Answer emails, make notes and plan for the next day.

9:30 Lights out!

What’s your best “mom-hack” you think other moms could benefit from? (We all have at least one time or sanity saving tip that everyone would want to know…spill it!)

Prepare the night before! Even if you’re tired and you think you can do it in the morning, DON’T!! Just bust through your exhaustion and make the lunches or put away your laundry. Also, ask for help when you need it! Hire someone like me! We moms try to be everything for everyone! Be everywhere and always be ready and perfect. It’s hard being a mom!

If you don’t have family near by to help, you need to outsource it! Having help in organizing your life allows you to enjoy what is important, YOUR FAMILY. Organization is known to help with anxiety and stress. Organizing peoples homes and being organized myself helps me destress as well.

What are 2 things you could not survive without?

Coffee and my kids (I probably should have put my kids first :))

 

If you are interested in participating in the monthly small business shout out, or you know someone who might be, please feel free to fill out this form and I will be in touch!  Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!