I did an informal poll last year. I was trying to determine how my business could grow, yet still maintain customer satisfaction. I’ve been experiencing growing pains (in a good way!) over the past couple of years. I’m in an interesting market-my customers are mostly moms my age, but my delivery audience is their kids (college kids)! So that’s one thing keeping me on my toes, haha! (I finally figured out TikTok though…it only took me a year!)

Yay! Almost your sweet student’s birthday! What to get them? I have a few ideas!

Turning 21 is super exciting, but we don’t always want to send our kiddos alcohol. It might mark the beginning of the legal drinking age, but that doesn’t mean they will enjoy it…or that we want to condone drinking.

I have a fun Arkansas lottery scratch-off ticket arrangement, large 34” numbered foil balloons, and 21 of ANYthing (reasons you love them, Hershey bars, $5 bills, Office memes, bracelets, La Croix cans, Paper mate flair pens, pairs of socks, balloons, flowers, 21 of literally ANY thing they love!). And if that doesn’t work for you, some custom sugar cookies, a Nothing Bundt cake, Great American Cookie Cake, grazing box, or a painted champagne bottle with a big bow might work!

I’ve gifted, visited, and hugged an exceptional number of students struggling this year. I know they each feel alone, stranded, and they’re beginning to feel desperate. The rush of decorating their room is over, the homework has set in, and Christmas break seems so far away.

As difficult as it seems, they need to talk to people. SO many students are feeling the exact same way. Talk to people on the elevator, open your dorm door, prop it open, and invite people over for an xbox competition, a tray of cookies, or hilarious game of New Phone, Who ‘Dis? They could start a study group, make dinner in the dorm kitchen (most have a fully-stocked kitchen with pots/pan/dishes you can sign up to use!), or go by the HPER to workout or join a class!

I have this amazing business consultant. We used to conference at least one to two times a week (or more if needed) when I was building a business, a website and social media accounts. She and her intern helped me with a market analysis, and all the things I needed most. Now, I’m not a baby entrepreneur any more, and I don’t talk to her as much, because I know her time is valuable! She’s still always available, but I’m more independent now. : )

When we last talked, she gave me it to me straight. Keeping all areas of mom help open has been fun, but tough. My largest customer base is college parents. And she gave it to me straight-I need to eliminate the other areas. That means dropping my moms of infants and moms of growing kids. She said she knew the day we met what my focus should be-but I love to say yes to allll the moms! (I remembered how hard it’d been for me as an early mom-and a working mom.)

Is your college student ready to move from home (or a dorm or sorority house) into an apartment…on their own? It’s a crazy transition time, and we’re living it! We are getting ready to help our daughter move out at the end of the month. She has an apartment with some friends, and my son has done this…but I’m trying to help her remember all the things she’ll need!

Do you have a student getting ready for college? Might I suggest less ACT or SAT prep..and more life readiness? I have seven areas I might suggest working on this summer: managing money, laundry, healthy eating, time management, manners, how to study, and safety. ACT gets them in the door, and might help with a scholarship, but lets’s help them successfully adult!

Is your May as busy as mine? We have birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, end-of-year concerts, baby showers, and teacher appreciation to name a few! If I can streamline a few events (or decorate for multiple events), it helps with me with party planning prep time.

If I have more than one event within a few days, I look for ways to plan for both. I find a color scheme that matches both, and sometimes even multiply or replicate the menu (only the guests invited to both events would know…haha)!

You know your student better than anyone else. What do they truly need? What will remind them of home? Find a way to gift them with that love. And maybe throw in a little something for yourself-this will probably be harder on you than them.

I don’t know about you, but I’m already thinking about Valentine’s Day! Pink, red, hearts, love…all my favorites! Here are just a few of my favorite free valentines that you and your child can make together! Your college student may even want to make a few for their friends..and I totally gave my teacher friends some valentines! (Hershey’s hugs and kisses are always welcome!!)

I can spruce up the water while it humidifies my space! Try adding clementine or apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cranberries, vanilla, or even essential oils you love! Apples, oranges or orange peels, a touch of cinnamon and vanilla are my favorite. If you don’t want it to make you hungry, you can even add coffee beans, sprigs of cedar or pine, mint, or lemon extract (not all together, haha!).

Because January is such a cold, indoor time here in Arkansas, it’s harder for me to schedule a date night for you on my website! I look for inexpensive concerts, local events, and restaurants that offer good deals, or where I can schedule/provide dessert and coffee or drinks. I love to throw in flowers for the ladies and give some guidance for dress..since the events are usually a surprise!

We have a standard lunch that the kids like best, but I like to change it up when I have time! The standby is peanut butter and jelly, a yogurt drink or Capri Sun, bag of chips/popcorn (from the multi-pack bag!), fruit (applesauce if we don’t have any fresh fruit left!) and whatever veggies we have. If I have time, I throw in a couple Hershey’s miniatures, or three Oreo thins in a tiny little 2 oz. cup.

New Year’s Eve has to be the coolest birthday. Everyone is dying to party with you! My mom’s birthday is December 31st, and I know one other sweet mom with a NYE birthday too! This year is a big milestone birthday for my mom, so we plan to party till midnight (or until we all fall asleep, haha!)

Need a crash course to make your own charcuterie board? Here is the accumulation of what I’ve learned!

Meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, cornichons, nuts, dips, and breads/crackers/pretzels. Here are the details:

This is THE BEST pumpkin bread. It does fall apart when you don’t wait until it cools… so, eat with a fork! Seriously, it’s so BRIGHT! The orange peel is perfection with the ginger, nutmeg, and pecans. Ok, enough, here’s the recipe!

Fall Events in NWA! Hope you get to enjoy one of these events with your friends or family! 🍁🎃

It’s National Chocolate Day, a great day to celebrate chocolate with a super easy marbled cookie bark recipe! Serve as an after school treat today, add to a charcuterie board for Halloween evening, or make double and share with neighbors or teachers. Spread the love!

I get to keep the house dark and romantic (to me), burn alllll the candles I like, and all my big kids come home to keep a fire pit burning out front in the circle drive with their friends and hand out (and eat) candy.

I decided to gift some great moms with balloons, happy notes, and pizza! I loved that I had moms who tagged OTHER great moms-our mom friends need to know we see them and their daily sacrifices-and they are rocking parenthood. Heck, we all need a little happy and frequent encouragement in our lives.

Ahh..care packages! Those sweet little gifts from home that kids love to get (and we love to send!) that show them we care. Here are some things my kids love to get (and I love to gift!)