Mamapreneur of the month is a new feature I am going to be having on my blog. If you are a mom with your own business, or know someone who is you can contact me at suzi@photoartbysuzi.com to request a feature article!
First up are Shelley Peek and Bonnie Blais, co owners of Elements in downtown Lake Orion. I remember when I first walked into this store I fell in love with it. It is full of eye candy and lots of great furniture that I am always dreaming of using as props! Shelley and Bonnie are always so sweet and the atmosphere in the store is just fun! So stop by and tell them hello and check out their amazing store!
Bonnie
Store Address, website, phone?
11 S. Broadway, Lake Orion, MI 48362
How long have you been in business? Over 4 years
How did you meet Shelley and how did you 2 get the idea to go into business.
We would pass each other every morning dropping our babies off at daycare and both say we wanted to do something different. I had already written a business plan, so we met and Shelley was on board. We both come from different business backgrounds - mine in creativity and Shell in the financial/business details. It was a great fit.
What is the hardest thing about running your own business? Paying the bills and still having money left to pay ourselves.
How many kids do you have and how old are they? I have a son, Floyd that is 5 and a daughter, Clare that is 3.
What are some of the creative ways that you juggle being a business owner and mom?
Involve our children in store activities and make them feel that is an extension of our families. Also, award ourselves the luxury of having someone work to do special activities with the kids.
What are some things that inspire you? The children, they see things in such a different light, innocence, and they think outside the box because they are too young to be in the box. The outdoors, nature, architecture. We also draw a lot of energy from our customers. They enjoy the store and inspire us to make it even better!
Fun Questions!
What is your favorite Food? We both love sushi. And thai. And seafood. And Italian. And Mexican… kinda in that order:)
What is your favorite restaurant?
That’s tough. Love Big Wave Sushi across the street from the store in Lake Orion.. Best ever. Mitchel’s Seafood too in Rochester and B’ham.
Where is your favorite place to go on vacation? Maui is the most amazing place on earth. Italy a close second. Repeat spot I would go back to again and again is Charleston, SC.
What is your favorite activity to do with your kids? Snowboarding in the winter and skating in the summer. Puzzles too. Favorite time of day is snuggling and reading books before bed.
If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted what would you do? What is a free day?? Probably do nothing. Seriously, absolutely nothing.
Shelley
Store Address, website, phone
Elements -11 South Broadway, Lake Orion MI 48362 248-693-9010
elementsonline.biz
How long have you been in business?
Been in Business 4 years on May 19th.
How did you meet Bonnie and how did you two get the idea to go into business together?
Bonnie and I met at StepnStones child care where we both took our 3 month old children at the time. Bonnie told me several times that she wanted to quit the ad agency and start her own business. She was working on a business plan at the time. We both wanted more flexibility with our small children and knew running our own business together would allow us to do so. We ran into each other at Old Navy one day and I told her if she was serious, I would love to run my own show. We met a couple Saturdays later and decided to go for it. I found a bank to give us an SBA loan and the rest is HISTORY……
What is the hardest thing about running your own business?
I think the hardest thing about runnning your own business is the fact that it is a 24/7 job that you can’t shut off or run away from.
How many kids do you have and how old are they?
I have two fabulous daughters, Madison 5 and Iris 2.
What are some of the creative ways that you juggle being a business owner and mom?
We all want to be wonder woman, but having a wonderful husband and great parents is key to juggling being mom/business owner. I have a super support team on my side! I love having the authority and ability to bring my kids to work if I am in a bind.
What are some things that inspire you?
The desire to make people happy and be successful inspires me on a daily basis. My kids inspire me to be happy and healthy.
Fun Questions!
Favorite Food?
My favorite food is Salmon…mmmmm hungry…
Favorite Restaurant?
My favorite place to get my favorite dish (Salmon) is the Rochester Chop House..
Favorite Vacation spot?
We don’t vacation often or ever, but if we did I want to take the family on a Cruise to Alaska.
What is your favorite activity to do with your kids?
I absolutely love playing at the park or walking on the beach with the girls. Fun stuff..
If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted what would you do?
If I had a free day to do whatever I wanted, I would go to Yoga and then dig in the dirt in my yard and love every moment. Sounds good, I think I will plan to do that very soon!!!