Twin Tuesday: SCRIBBLES

Hey Y'all,

I hope that you are having a terrific summer thus far. It has been a whirlwind of activity for me. The kids keep me going and I love it. This has been the first summer of their lives that I've been with them 24/7. I try to keep them as busy as possible so we all sleep well at night. Our days start off with Mommy Summer School and branch off (depending on the day) to $1 movies, swimming, visiting museums and day trips. I have a calendar chuck full of summer fun, until they head off to Nana's (thank you JESUS).

This Twin Tuesday's post is dedicated to the twins' favorite "play mall" SCRIBBLES. SCRIBBLES is a fantastic interactive and educational store in the Menlo Park Mall that features personalized gifts for children & educational toys. We visit SCRIBBLES at least once a week and hang out there for about 2-3 hours (yes hours in one store). Typically we don't purchase a thing (unless it's a work book on sale) but the twins play HARD with everything that is out on display.

A couple weeks ago during our visit we had the pleasure of meeting the owner Mary Thomas, of course I went into blogger mode and asked if she wouldn't mind being featured in one of my posts. Thankfully she agreed and shared a little about herself and how she started SCRIBBLES.



MrsDeveter: Thanks again for agreeing to chat with me. Can you share a little bit of the history behind SCRIBBLES?

Mary Thomas: We started on a kiosks 13 years ago in the Menlo Park Mall. We were doing personalized piggy banks, rocking chairs, toy boxes all kinds of fun things for 10 years. Then it became a little bit to much so we closed. It was a boring staying at home so we opened the first store and expanded beyond the personalized items into toys and other cool things.

MrsDeveter: Like I told  you before we can come here and stay for hours. Why did you branch out into toys and make the store so interactive?

Mary Thomas: Because it's fun. In retail everyone does clothes, clothes aren't fun. Kids are easy. They love everything, they are happy and love to play. I've found that no matter who they are the kids get along especially at the Thomas table they love to play together. The children get along so well, it's the adults that need to learn that. Sometimes they don't share... but they play well together and it's fun.


MrsDeveter: What was your 9-5 before SCRIBBLES?


Mary Thomas: I had three kids. I worked in the city for a publishing company but it was hard to to go back and forth. My husband also worked in the city and said he'd prefer it if I worked closer to home. So I started working retail. He would work in the day and I would go out for a few hours at night.

MrsDeveter: What advise would you give to anyone looking to get into retail.

Mary Thomas: Everything chances. Before I opened everyone told me not to go into retail because I was going into business at the wrong time. In 2008 that's when the market crashed. Manufactures, friends everyone told me not to do it, but I said ... people buy toys. I had a wonderful location to start and it worked.

MrsDeveter: So your advice would be ... don't listen to anybody's advice.

Mary Thomas: (chucking) yes. You have to feel it inside and know what's right for you.

If you are ever in Edison NJ please stop by and visit Mary and the ladies at SCRIBBLES she is located in the Menlo Park Mall steps away from The Disney Store and Build a Bear on the lower level of the Nordstrom wing. If you are looking to order online please visit www.scribblesatmenlo.com for great personalized gifts for children.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Women Working: Bearfoot Yoga & Wellness Center

Hey Y'all,

Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to showcase a few women who are making there way as small business owners and doing it proudly. First I would like to spotlight a good friend of mine Gina DiMassi who parlayed her passion into her profession. 

MrsDeveter: What is the name and focus of your business?

Gina: I am pleased to introduce Bearfoot Yoga & Wellness Center. Our focus is on practicing yoga as a means for self-development and awareness while becoming a part of the larger community of like-minded people who are on the path towards a more balanced and peaceful life. We are a family-friendly environment including a babysitting room. One of our goals is for kids to see their parents taking time for themselves in healthy ways while meeting other parents and kids to build connections within their community.

MrsDeveter:Prior to starting your business what was your 9-5? 

Gina:I was a graphic designer at Penguin Publishing designing children's books for many years before I became a yoga teacher 5 years ago after the birth of my second son. Yoga has been a passion and practice of mine for 10 years.

MrsDeveter: What made you venture out and become an entrepreneur? 

Gina:I saw the need for a traditional yoga studio that was family friendly because I was craving a larger community that my sons could be a part of with me. There are many yoga studios out there but most of them do not include babysitting and the local moms that I've met were all working out at the gym for this reason alone. I knew how much yoga had helped me get through the ups and downs of early motherhood and marriage so I wanted to create a space where that supportive environment could flourish.

MrsDeveter:Who and what inspires you?

Gina: I am inspired daily by so many things it's hard to keep track! My primary inspiration is Mother Nature, I am always in awe of her power and beauty to create life, looking at my kids every day and watching them grow and change is a big source inspiration and motivation for me. My yoga teachers, in their many shapes and forms, for their power to invoke in me the deep hunger for peace in my heart.

MrsDeveter: As a business owner what is the one thing that keeps you up at night besides, turning a profit? 

Gina:The urgent need to create a community where I live to unite the growing population of people who are committed to changing the way they live in this world.

MrsDeveter: What is some advice that you would give someone who wants to start a business?

Gina:Do Yoga! My practice has helped me stay grounded and focused on the positive when things start to seem like they are spiraling out of control or if I start to get worried about finances. Taking the time for myself to get enough rest and eat healthy food and spend time with my kids also helps me stay sharp and be the most productive.

The Bearfoot Yoga & Wellness Center will open the first week of May. Please check Gina out on Facebook and "Like" her and be sure to visit her site www.BearfootYogaCenter.com for updates on our progress and special pre-opening discounts.

Until next time...

MUAH!