From “No Way” to “Here we go” - How it all started!
I never planned to start a business. Honestly, I’d seen others do it and thought, Nope. Too many hours. You’re working all the time. And yet… here I am, kicking off a brand-new venture. Total 180.
It didn’t begin with, Let’s start a business! It began with a simple dream — writing a book about my goldendoodle, Otis. I can’t pinpoint exactly when the idea first sparked. It was just always there, tucked away in the back of my mind. But between 50+ hour work weeks and all the other demands of life, I never had the time to make it happen.
I wouldn’t have called myself “creative” back then, but looking back, I’ve always had creative streaks — piano and violin lessons as a kid, art classes in high school, then hobbies like stamping, scrapbooking, hula dancing, snowboarding, and running. Still, most of my adult life was spent in the corporate world. Somewhere along the way, I realized I needed something that pulled me away from the daily grind and into something joyful.
I live with anxiety, which means I bounce between hyper-focus and couch-decompression. I love starting projects (finishing them is… another story). But this? I actually finished. I’m proud — and yes, a little nervous.
The pandemic years slowed life down in ways I didn’t expect. Between anxiety, COVID, and hitting menopause (surprise!), I found myself nesting at home with Otis and my other pup, Tito. My “social life” was a mix of masked grocery runs and virtual calls. People had always labeled me an extrovert, but I started realizing I’m really more of an introverted extrovert.
With the slower pace came space to think. That book idea bubbled up again. At first, I pictured an illustrated children’s book for younger readers. But since I wasn’t working with art software yet, I decided to start with something more manageable — a chapter book with just a cover to design. Win-win, right?
The writing and publishing process turned out to be much harder than I expected (more on that another time). During that period, I also went through heartbreaking losses — Tito passed, and so did Etsy, the sweet hospice pup I adopted. After all that grief, I knew I needed new energy in my life. Otis was five by then, so I adopted Naomi, a curious, whip-smart girl who could escape any crate or enclosure and was endlessly proud of herself. She adores Otis.
Eight months later, Mabel joined us. She’d been intended for breeding but had health and anxiety challenges, so she was put up for adoption. She came with her quirks — and some big separation anxiety — but now she’s our happy, twirly ball of chaos.
Over time, I realized each of my pups represents a piece of what I want this business to be:
Otis — Cozy spaces, comfort, slowing down, savoring the moment.
Naomi — Soft rebellion, intentional living, mental health, and joy beyond hustle culture.
Mabel — Fun, whimsy, embracing quirks, and a splash of delightful chaos.
And so, here’s my mission: to inspire a balanced, joy-filled life through creativity, cozy spaces, and the things I find useful and playful — helping people embrace their quirks, manage life, and slow down when needed.
There’s more coming soon, and I’d love for you to join the journey. Sign up for my email newsletter, follow along, and share in the stories and little joys I’m curating along the way.
