Saturday, November 23, 2013

And Here's Pet Pals!

  1. What is the name of your business and what products do you make (or
    services do you provide)? Name of business is Pet Pals. If you are going on vacation, weekend getaway, have long work hours, or have a busy schedule with sports and activities, Pet Pals comes to your home to take care of your pet kids.  
  2. What makes your products or services stand out - what makes them special? Pet Pals comes to your home! No longer do you need to worry about drop off and pickup times for your pet kid(s)!
  3. Tell us about the history of your business/company-how did it start? The founder of Pet Pals started doing pet sitting and dog walking for friends and family about 9 years ago while working a full time job. A true passion for pets, seeing how truly happy and content the pet kids are from staying in their own environment, seeing how much time she saved the busy families, and the cost savings she passed along to the families, Keli decided over three years ago to do pet sitting and dog walking full time (plus other pet services) and offer these services to Sioux Falls and surrounding communities.
  4. If you are a small business or Work at Home Mom, tell us how you make it
    all work with your family, kiddos, activities, and other life obligations. Can be summed up with: Passion, Dedication, Multi-Tasking, and Family Support.  
  5. How can someone find out more about your products/services? What is your website?www.HirePetPals.com

Friday, November 22, 2013

It's Time to Meet Snappi!

What is the name of your business and what products do you make (or services do you provide)? Snappi Baby - the Snappi cloth diaper fastener, EpiBi diaper liners and nursing pads, the Jamm safety doorstop
What makes your products or services stand out - what makes them special? 

We distribute unique, practical and affordable children's products of high quality, that lend themselves to the safety and harmony of child and earth.
Tell us about the history of your business/company-how did it start? 

I was contacted by one of the patent attorneys of Snappi to be their distributor for North America.
If you are a small business or Work at Home Mom, tell us how you make it all work
Me, My daughter (a Snappi baby 21 years ago!), and My husband
with your family, kiddos, activities, and other life obligations.
  

Work mostly late at night while the family are sleeping! Plan meals ahead so that we keep eating healthily.  Take care of myself otherwise I am no use to anyone else.  
How can someone find out more about your products/services? What is your website? www.snappibaby.com

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

It's Time to Meet Whole Beginnings!

What is the name of your business and what products do you make (or services do you provide)?
Whole Beginnings: I provide Holistic Pregnancy and Doula services, as well as handcrafted organic herbal balms, teas, baths and sprays for the enlightened mama.

What makes your products or services stand out - what makes them special?

My Holistic pregnancy services offer in-depth nurturing for mamas that you cannot get anywhere else. I felt that my time with doula clients was so limited, and I just had so much to share! My coaching services allow mamas to use me as an all around resource- and because I work online, I am able to help mamas long-distance! We cover everything from creating your own pregnancy tea or sitz bath, to step-by-step guidance through hospital procedures for birth.

My products are created with individual mamas in mind. Made of fresh, sustainable ingredients, and lots of love, my sitz baths, teas, sprays and balms are safe for anyone- so mamas can grow and heal gently and completely.

Tell us about the history of your business/company-how did it start?
I began my work with mothers as a social worker, right out of college. My path evolved to take me to full time nannying, and eventually doula work. My passion is so clearly to empower mamas to find their own unique way of mothering, to feel inspired, to feel informed, to feel cared for. My etsy shop was born out of wanting to share my client gifts with a broader audience!


If you are a small business or Work at Home Mom, tell us how you make it all work with your family, kiddos, activities, and other life obligations
We just moved here from Virginia for my husband’s job, so I’ve had to start over from scratch in many ways! But often being flexible and having to begin again can really help you let go of the old and begin fresh with new ideas. Lots of support from my wonderful husband, a lot of prayer, lots of wholesome foods, and a little wine. ;)

How can someone find out more about your products/services? What is your website?
You can find my services at http://wholebeginnings.com
My products are featured in my etsy shop: http://wholebeginnings.etsy.com

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Time to Meet Irish Twins Soap Company!

What is the name of your business and what products do you make (or services do you provide)?
Irish Twins Soap Company - I make all natural aromatherapy soaps, spa luxuries and a homekeeping line, including rustic soaps, glycerin soaps, shaving soaps, sugar scrub, all-natural deodorant, Coconut Cream body butter, lip balm, laundry concentrate, and lime kitchen & bath scrub.

What makes your products or services stand out - what makes them special?
Our products are special because of our high-quality, all-natural ingredients.  Never any dyes, toxins, petroleum, parabens, aluminum, or artificial fragrances.

Tell us about the history of your business/company-how did it start?
I started making soap several years ago and launched Irish Twins Soap Company after my employer passed away.  Been working at it every day since and it's been steadily growing over the last 5 years.

If you are a small business or Work at Home Mom, tell us how you make it all work
with your family, kiddos, activities, and other life obligations
Working for myself has given our family great flexibility.  I am able to attend my boys' games and events and be flexible with my schedule to work around family events.  Myself and my husband make up our "staff".  We are passionate about educating and serving our customers with all natural healthy alternatives to commercial products.

How can someone find out more about your products/services? What is your website?
Visit our website at www.irishtwinssoaps.com or contact us at 605-351-9564 to find our more about our products.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Check out Sioux Falls Complete Fitness!

As you know today marks the beginning of our online scavenger hunt! We have several participating businesses that have contributed to the winner's prize pack, and we will be featuring many of them here on the blog!

To start out, meet Sioux Falls Complete Fitness.
~Evie
Owner Randy with his family
What is the name of your business and what products do you make (or services do you provide)? Complete Fitness is a 24/7 fitness facility offering personal training, nutritional guidance, and more. We pride ourselves on our true commitment to changing our clients' lives and giving them valuable tools to change their lives and help them achieve their goals.

What makes your products or services stand out - what makes them special?
 Without question our staff is what makes Complete Fitness special. Our trainers are experienced, knowledgeable, and consistently go above and beyond to give their clients their all. It's more than just a work out. Our trainers want to know how they can help you, what your pitfalls are, and where you struggle with nutrition. There is no cookie-cutter plan for every single person, and our personal trainers make sure they're doing everything possible to personalize and expedite your journey to your goals. 

Tell us about the history of your business/company -how did it start?
 For years, we

were a Tryon Gym, but as of January 1st, 2013, Randy Hartz (who had been the manager of this location under Tryon Gym) purchased the gym and changed it to Complete Fitness. Randy has worked in fitness for nearly 20 years, has graced covers of body building magazines, and has devoted his life to helping make others healthy. 

If you are a small business or Work at Home Mom, tell us how you make it all work
Personal Trainer Travis, with client Jessica
who had just lost 10 lbs in 24 days
with your family, kiddos, activities, and other life obligations.
 We are a small, local business and we know our clients are as busy as we are. Our trainers, Jane and Travis, make themselves available for early morning workouts as well as evening sessions so everyone has the opportunity to make fitness work in to their busy schedules. Randy Hartz, the owner and General Manager, has three boys - all under age 10  - and they are busy! He leaves the gym for parent teacher conferences, youth football games, and doctor appointments just like any other parent. He makes sure staff and clients know that God and family come first. Those priorities are a big part of why working at Complete Fitness is energizing and fun. We have been blessed to be able to help hundreds of people achieve their fitness goals, but Complete Fitness really is about more than that. We participated in a clothing drive called Kicks N' Threads this August that helped provide clothing and tennis shoes for area kids heading back to school whose families wouldn't have been able to get those supplies. Our members literally hopped off the treadmills to run to the mall and pick up the last remaining items before the deadline. This year we're excited to be a part of the Angel Tree program, which gives gifts to children who have a parent in prison. Last year our members and staff really pulled together to make this gift drive a success and the party for the kids was a ball. It was a great event and we're looking forward to it again this year and serving even more children. 

How can someone find out more about your products/services?  We love it when people stop by for a tour and more information! Our trainers are also happy to sit down with you and talk about your goals and what you've tried in the past. Those complimentary fitness assessments are a great way for people to have all of their questions answered in a private, one-on-one setting with no pressure. Our website and facebook page are also full of good information for anyone looking to start a fitness program.

What is your website?
 www.SiouxFallsCompleteFitness.com

Saturday, November 16, 2013

It's Just About Time!!

Who's ready for our Online Scavenger Hunt?!?!

Did you participate last year? It's so much fun!

Ok, so what in the world is an online scavenger hunt, you ask?

Well, let me explain a little (official rules will be posted on our website on Monday morning - just check out our "Upcoming Events" link from our home page - don't worry, I'll remind you on our facebook page):
  • We have many businesses who will be participating in our event. 
  • Each business is contributing something to our grand prize
  • To enter for your chance to win, you, our "Players" will have to find an icon (that will be revealed on Monday morning) on each of our participating business' websites.
  • Once you find each hidden icon, you just enter the link to the page that you found it on in the form that will be provided.
Everyone who enters all links correctly will be entered to win our grand prize, which will be a combination of wonderful things from all of our participating businesses!

The rest of this month, we will be featuring the participating businesses right here on the blog, so be watching for all of the great businesses and give them some supportive love!

So, get ready - and don't miss out!!

~Evie

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

To Be Alive...

Good grief! It's already November 6th and I haven't posted any "Thankful" posts yet - yikes! I can hardly believe how quickly time passes and how days just slip away.

Well, to start us out this month, we have a very good reminder to be thankful for our very lives. Thank you for sharing your story Emily!

~Evie

Hi there! 

My name is Emily and I am from Paducah, KY. 

In January, I found a knot on my neck. I went and had the knot examined and my doctor sent me to a specialist. I went nervously and the specialist said that I needed surgery to remove the knot. 

In March, I went in for surgery. During the surgery, they removed the mass along with the right side of my thyroid. They hoped I would be able to keep the other side so I wouldn’t need medication. Unfortunately, at my one week post-op checkup, I was diagnosed with two types of malignant cancer. I was told I would need another surgery to remove the left side of my thyroid and to see if the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, throat, or vocal cords. 

I was absolutely terrified. 

In April, only 3 weeks after my first surgery, I went through another surgery. After I awoke, I was told that in fact the cancer had not spread but I had another mass that had formed on the left side of my thyroid. I was then referred to an oncologist who took me through my treatment plan and what medications I would be on for the rest of my life. 

I went through an I-131 radioactive iodine treatment. It made me very sick and weak but the worst part was that I could not be around my children for 4 days. I slept for the most part to try and ease the agony of not being with my kids. 

In August, I went back to my oncologist and was told that I was “in remission” and that I would be fine. 

I thank God every day that I am able to wake up, go to work, and most importantly, be a mother.  Life is a precious gift that so many of us take for granted. 

My eyes have opened so much since I found out that I had cancer. Spilled milk can be cleaned up. Cleaning the house to perfection can wait. I want to enjoy every minute I can, with my children. They are the ones who got me through this terrible ordeal and I am so blessed to have them in my life. 

Today, I am thankful for life.

~Emily