Ready, set, action – cue the stars – in this case, moms running local businesses (momtrepreneurs anyone?)! I love supporting local businesses and love to get to know the brains behind them. Who are these women who are living la vida local?
Friends, I must confess I have the gift of gab. My daughters call me a “chatterbox.” Recently, I was in one of my favorite shops and ran into a friend. She asked how I knew the store owner so well. I had to admit I only knew her from shopping there and talking too much! It got me to thinking, though, I truly love to hear stories of how and why people started their dream companies. Some of my favorite places are owned by my favorite people!
Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes and for my inner-self inspiration, I go to The Exchange. If you haven’t been to The Exchange, you are missing out! The Exchange, a non-profit dreamed up by mother of 8 (!!) Elizabeth Pehrson, seeks to inspire women to live with intention and on purpose! Through monthly gatherings, The Exchange explores different topics women use for enrichment and engagement in the next best steps of their life. I promise this is one investment you will not regret. 
Elizabeth’s dream was born from her passion to create a safe space for women to examine their current lives and speak honestly among friends on how to live their BEST life. For real, who doesn’t want to know how to do that?
Her biggest reward in running The Exchange is witnessing women start to live from a place where they know they are loved, worthy and enough. This realization is the most important step in living a fulfilled life. On her journey, Elizabeth has learned it’s not about what you are doing, but who you are becoming in the process. The next Exchange topic, “I Ain’t Judging, I’m Just Saying”, will be presented on Thursday, April 18, and speaks to the distractions women often have of comparison, judgment, and lack of self-compassion. If you’d like to learn more about The Exchange and yourself, please visit www.theexchangeus.org.
Speaking of learning more about yourself, if you’ve ever had the itch to perform, you need to head straight over to see my favorite mother-daughter team at Stipe Studio. My daughter and I were lucky enough to find Stipe Studio a few years ago. Stipe Studio is a performing arts studio equipping children and adults for stage and screen. My daughter is the actress – I’m just watching…so far!
Debra Stipe and her daughter, Sarah, started the studio out of true shared love for performing arts. You can feel their passion for encouraging and inspiring their students as soon as you walk in the door.
Debra learned through running a business that delegation is important! She’s grateful to work with a team who have different strengths and each play contributing roles to Stipe Studio’s success. The biggest reward for her is seeing her students develop confidence and grow into their best selves. She finds working with her daughter such a gift and has a genuine respect for Sarah’s talents – of which there are many!
Embarking on a new adventure in 2019, Stipe Studio filmed their very own sitcom, Life@Stipe, incorporating their students into the show. The premiere for Life@Stipe is at The Eagle Theatre on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to walk the red carpet as Stipe Studio debuts its first sitcom ever! For premiere ticket information or to connect with the Stipe Studio team and find you or your child’s inner actor, check out www.stipestudio.com .
So, if you’re looking to feed your mind or your creative acting side, visit one of my favorite local businesses and enjoy what they have to offer. And if you’re inspired by these momtrepreneur’s stories and have your own dreams of living la vida local, seize the day friend and go for it! After all, if you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it.
