Oct 28, 2024 | Businesses, House/Home Related
Tell us about Make Peace with Organizing and why you started the business. Make Peace with Organizing resulted from pursuing my passion for organizing, which meant leaving the legal field behind. I was an active attorney for 8 years working in wireless. By 2018, I was burnt out. Today Make Peace with Organizing has 13 professional organizers helping clients declutter, organize, and provide move management. We work with busy families to get their homes in order; we help small businesses organize inventory; we oversee the packing and unpacking for moves and we work with families when loved ones move into Senior Living Communities.
What is something new you’ve learned as a business owner this year? I’ve believed for some time now, that you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. This has been a year of growth and I’m fortunate to have an amazing, caring, and compassionate team who love what they do.
What do you love most about Marblehead, and why? There’s so much to do. The ocean, the walking/biking trails, the history, the restaurants. I’m fortunate to call Marblehead home.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? In November, my husband and I will attend our third Dave Matthews Band concert this year.
Make Peace with Organizing
CEO/Founder: Rachel Carlino-Dangora
(857) 205-4072
MakePeaceWithOrganizing.com
Oct 22, 2024 | Arts, Businesses, Kid Related
Tell us about Kids in Motion Dance Studio and why you started the business. Kids in Motion Dance Studio began over 17 years ago. My girls grew up dancing at a studio in Marblehead and I loved every minute of their experience. I felt like Marblehead needed an option for children to dance recreationally, meaning that dance didn’t have to be their main activity and children could take as little as one class or as many classes as they wanted. At Kids in Motion, children can take hip hop without having to take ballet. We offer a wide variety of dance classes for all levels and ages, preschool through high school. The instruction from our staff is high quality in a relaxing, caring and family feel type studio.
What are some new offerings you have at Kids in Motion? As far as new offerings, we started a new Broadway Jazz/Musical Theater class this year for children ages 6-9 on Thursdays. We also have a professional dancer coming to work with our company hip hop students this year. While she is here, we are offering 2 master classes for dancers/cheerleaders, which will be open to the community on Saturday, October 26th (Ages 9-11, 11:00am – 12:00pm. Ages 12+, 12:30pm – 1:30pm). This past summer we participated in the Horribles Parade for the first time and are hoping to take part in the Christmas Walk Parade this winter and continue this tradition with both parades.
What is something new you’ve learned as a business owner this year? This past year I’ve learned that as business owner, I need to be more open and flexible with the changing of times. Costs are more expensive and trying to work with that and keeping costs down are sometimes challenging. We’ve had to be more creative with marketing and advertising as well as trying to offer the students more options for classes and fun things to do with the studio.
What do you love most about Marblehead, and why? What I love most about Marblehead is coming home to it. I’ve learned after moving away to appreciate the town so much more than when I was growing up or raising my children here.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy fostering pets, knitting, helping care for my grandchildren and going to the beach to name a few things.
Kids in Motion Dance Studio
Owner: Susie Likins
KidsInMotionDanceStudio.com
Oct 22, 2024 | Gardening
An interview with Kathy Bradford, Driftwood Garden Club Member and Landscape Architect
Kathy, tell us about the Driftwood Garden Club (DGC) and its connection with Abbot Public Library. In 1990, the library grounds became our main civic project. There are four areas around the library that we maintain: the front garden on Pleasant Street, the side courtyard garden off Maverick Street, Max’s Garden in the rear, and the parking area. For over 30 years, the club has continued to renovate, plant, and maintain all the outdoor landscaped areas of the library property using funds we raise at our annual Plant Sale in May. The library recognized our work by recently installing a plaque on the Maverick Street brick wall which reads: “With gratitude to the Driftwood Garden Club, est. 1952, whose members have designed, planted and cared for the library’s gardens for many decades.”
Why did the DGC apply for a grant from the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts (GCFM)? The recent building renovation construction impacted all four areas that we maintain. The most visible one is the front, the gateway to the library. Since there was no proposed landscape plan for the front of the library, the DGC recognized the need for a new landscape design. We took an active role and hired a landscape architect (a club member). We assembled a small team of members to work with the landscape architect on the planting design. The design was presented to the Abbot Library Building Renovation Committee which approved the plan with enthusiasm. The DGC contributed a sum of money to the library towards the total cost of the new plants. To assist with the planting expenses, the DGC applied for a Civic Development grant from the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. The project complied with the purpose of the Civic Development Grant by improving the community of Marblehead with a new permanent planting project for the front of the library. The building and its landscape are strong visual elements as one enters the town on Pleasant Street. A long-term maintenance plan was included in our application.
We were notified at the end of August that GCFM awarded the club a $1,000 civic grant. This is a huge achievement for the DGC as there are over 170 GCFM member clubs. Our President Joyce Raymond and Treasurer Laurie Boggis received the check on September 12, 2024, at an awards ceremony.
What projects did the DGC work on while the library was closed? To continue our goal to enhance and provide garden maintenance service to the Marblehead community, we reached out to Marblehead Housing Authority’s Old Farrell Court in 2022. We asked if there was interest in our club providing landscaping and garden maintenance help for the residents. They were thrilled with our offer. For the past two years we focused our efforts on the courtyard in Old Farrell Court. We installed a new pollinator garden, removed many invasive weeds and shrubs, pruned overgrown shrubs, and planted seasonal annuals in the plant beds. Many of our members find this project very rewarding as the Farrell Court residents tell us in person how much they appreciate all of our work. We will continue to provide our gardening services to Old Farrell Court in addition to resuming our maintenance at Abbot Public library.
Kathy, what is your role in the Driftwood Garden Club? I’ve enjoyed being a member for over ten years. I’m a past President for two terms and I was also Program Chair for two terms. For the past five years, I’ve represented the club on the Abbot library Building Renovation Committee utilizing my professional skills as a landscape architect to assist in implementing the club’s goals and visions for the library during the building renovation.
Driftwood Garden Club
DriftwoodGardenClub.org
Oct 7, 2024 | Businesses, House/Home Related
Photo: Christiana Plum and her son, Zach
Tell us about Beach Plum Interiors. Beach Plum Interiors is a premier coastal interior design firm, based in Marblehead, MA, specializing in creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces. With over 30 years of experience, we offer a range of services from single room decor and furnishings to comprehensive home renovations. Our designs blend timeless aesthetics with the practicalities of coastal living, tailored to the unique tastes of our clients. Our client-centered approach, attention to detail, and emphasis on quality make us the go-to choice to bring coastal elegance to your homes.
Beach Plum Interiors isn’t just a business it’s my way of life; where I leave the world better than I found it. There is power in design, I love that responsibility. As a business owner it never shuts off. I started Beach Plum a decade ago to provide a better life for my son and I. Commuting was taking a toll on me and taking up precious time. My son had just started school and the guilt of not being present for all the things was enormous. It was a huge leap of faith as a single parent but one I knew could transform our lives. The community I’ve created, and continue, to create is beyond words. We live in a very special place where we lookout and support one another. It takes a village, thank you Marblehead.
What is the piece of business advice you’ve ever been given? Do what makes you happy. Happiness is the point of everything. Everything else will fall into place.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? I spend most days in the built environment, so I crave being in nature. My favorite spot in Marblehead is the harbor, it’s so picturesque, regardless of the season, although my favorite is Summer. I am a water lover and I’m happiest when I am near it, in it, or on it. Paddleboarding in the harbor is my favorite way to start each day. Exploring the various coves and navigating the trawl line, make it so much fun. We’re blessed to be surrounded by such natural beauty. I mean really, pinch us…we live here.
What Is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I have an adventurous spirit and enjoy challenges which allow me to see my boundaries and edges. Challenges give you the opportunity to expand yourself. Life can change in an instant. Back in 2018, my infant son and I were homeless after selling my marital home as part of my divorce agreement. My son wasn’t old enough for daycare at the time, and with no local family I wasn’t able to work as he needed care. Little did I know that I would not be able to find another home until I had a job. It was a weird series of unfortunate events. Thankfully, we found a home six months later for all of us, even our dog.
This story isn’t about hardship, it’s my invitation to be brave. When you’re going through hell…keep going. Those dark years taught me everything is possible. Since then, I’ve traveled continents alone, climbed mountains as a lead climber, jumped out of a plane, started a thriving business, learned to sail a townie, and am raising a teen. I’m living big today and every day. It’s a choice. As my favorite author penned, ‘What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’
Beach Plum Interiors
Owner: Christiana Plum
(781) 990-6609
BeachPlumInteriors.com
Recent Comments