Category: Story

Business Spotlight: Unsupervised Adults Podcasts

Posted on by nathaniel

Business Spotlight: Unsupervised Adults Podcasts

Business Spotlight: Unsupervised Adults Podcasts

“Everybody’s got a story to tell.” Shane aims to tell them. In being a member of Unsupervised Adults, a local variety troupe, storytelling and entertaining has long been an aspect of her life. Starting out, Shane and the other members of Unsupervised Adults primarily did burlesque, fire performing, and drag. As time went on, they began to do original plays, often working with Genna from the Absolute Studio Theater. Shane really got involved in storytelling when she started her first podcast, “My Morning Commute.” Unscripted and off the cuff, “My Morning Commute” was an often humorous look at whatever was occupying Shane’s mind during her 30-minute drive to work. After a year of producing “My Morning Commute,” Shane wanted to do something different. She wanted more structure and to tell more stories beyond her own. While short-lived, “My Morning Commute” provided Shane with the experience necessary to move on to her next podcast.

After taking on a shared space with Genna, Shane began the Unsupervised Adults podcast at Mellwood. Working with co-hosts Heather and Jai, they started producing a single, twice-weekly podcast. On Wednesday evenings, Shane and Heather host a more humorous, freeform live podcast and TikTok livestream. On Sunday afternoons, Shane and Jai host a prerecorded podcast interviewing people covering an array of topics. It became apparent that the podcast had two distinct tones and audiences. Accordingly, they opted to separate them. The freeform podcast will remain Unsupervised Adults, while the interview-driven podcast will be known as “The People’s Podcast” moving forward.

The “Unsupervised Adults” podcast and TikTok feels more like a community gathering to share their stories, play some games, and win some prizes generously provided by Shane and the Unsupervised Adults gang. Meanwhile, “The People’s Podcast,” while containing moments of humor and levity, tends to deal with more serious topics. One of the more impactful podcasts featured a woman sharing her brother’s battle with mental illness and the failings of the healthcare system in this capacity. Ever careful to ensure their guests are comfortable sharing their stories, Shane works with the interviewee prior to the podcast. She gathers information from the interviewee and conducts research on the topic as needed. This not only enables Shane and Jai to speak in terms the interviewee is comfortable with, but also helps them ask better, more informed questions. During the interview, their guests dictate the course of the interview, while Shane and Jai pay careful attention to their guest to ensure they remain comfortable during the recording.

If you would like to check out “The People’s Podcast,” you can find it on iHeartRadio or Spotify. If you’re interested in being interviewed for “The People’s Podcast,” you can send an email to unsupervisedadults@protonmail.com. To catch their weekly livestreams, be sure to check them out on TikTok. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well.

“Everybody’s got a story to tell.” Shane aims to tell them. In being a member of Unsupervised Adults, a local variety troupe, storytelling and entertaining has long been an aspect of her life. Starting out, Shane and the other members of Unsupervised Adults primarily did burlesque, fire performing, and drag. As time went on, they began to do original plays, often working with Genna from the Absolute Studio Theater. Shane really got involved in storytelling when she started her first podcast, “My Morning Commute.” Unscripted and off the cuff, “My Morning Commute” was an often humorous look at whatever was occupying Shane’s mind during her 30-minute drive to work. After a year of producing “My Morning Commute,” Shane wanted to do something different. She wanted more structure and to tell more stories beyond her own. While short-lived, “My Morning Commute” provided Shane with the experience necessary to move on to her next podcast.

After taking on a shared space with Genna, Shane began the Unsupervised Adults podcast at Mellwood. Working with co-hosts Heather and Jai, they started producing a single, twice-weekly podcast. On Wednesday evenings, Shane and Heather host a more humorous, freeform live podcast and TikTok livestream. On Sunday afternoons, Shane and Jai host a prerecorded podcast interviewing people covering an array of topics. It became apparent that the podcast had two distinct tones and audiences. Accordingly, they opted to separate them. The freeform podcast will remain Unsupervised Adults, while the interview-driven podcast will be known as “The People’s Podcast” moving forward.

The “Unsupervised Adults” podcast and TikTok feels more like a community gathering to share their stories, play some games, and win some prizes generously provided by Shane and the Unsupervised Adults gang. Meanwhile, “The People’s Podcast,” while containing moments of humor and levity, tends to deal with more serious topics. One of the more impactful podcasts featured a woman sharing her brother’s battle with mental illness and the failings of the healthcare system in this capacity. Ever careful to ensure their guests are comfortable sharing their stories, Shane works with the interviewee prior to the podcast. She gathers information from the interviewee and conducts research on the topic as needed. This not only enables Shane and Jai to speak in terms the interviewee is comfortable with, but also helps them ask better, more informed questions. During the interview, their guests dictate the course of the interview, while Shane and Jai pay careful attention to their guest to ensure they remain comfortable during the recording.

If you would like to check out “The People’s Podcast,” you can find it on iHeartRadio or Spotify. If you’re interested in being interviewed for “The People’s Podcast,” you can send an email to unsupervisedadults@protonmail.com. To catch their weekly livestreams, be sure to check them out on TikTok. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well.

Business Spotlight: Pinch Spice Market

Posted on by nathaniel

Business Spotlight: Pinch Spice Market

Business Spotlight: Pinch Spice Market

For many of us, the daily grind is the metaphorical one that comes with living that nine to five life. After deciding enough was enough, Thomas and Meaghan of Pinch Spice Market traded that grind in for a different, more literal one: grinding up and preparing spices for all manner of delicious dishes.

Initially working in tech and sales, a company buyout left Thomas looking for a new job. Everything he was qualified for was underwhelming; nothing sparked any passion. He was, however, passionate about cooking and, at this point, experimenting with barbeque. He was approached by one of his friends, who had lived on an organic spice farm in Costa Rica, with the idea of opening an organic spice shop. In 2012, after researching the viability of such a business, they embarked on what would become Pinch Spice Market.

Starting out, Pinch struggled. Overhead was high and, despite it’s location in an up-and-coming part of Chicago, the store wasn’t seeing enough foot traffic. Even when the business was making money, rent for the space increased. Eventually, Thomas’ friend departed from the business. That’s when Meaghan entered his life, both as a romantic partner and business partner. With a background in corporate marketing, Meaghan had just what Pinch needed to start turning things around. Gradually shifting to a primarily online retailer, Pinch Spice Market would make one more change: the move to Louisville.

Thomas and Meaghan were both already looking to move out of Chicago; they wanted to live in a smaller city within a drivable distance from Chicago. On their way back from a trip to Nashville, they stopped in Louisville for lunch and were blown away by the food scene here. After a few more visits to Louisville, they made the move in early 2019 and brought Pinch Spice Market to Mellwood almost immediately after.

At Pinch Spice Market, everything is done in-house: grinding the spices, packaging, labeling, and prepping them for pickup or shipping. All of the spices available at Pinch are organic, with as many as possible being fair and direct trade. While the spices you find in grocery stores often spend 12 – 18 months in a warehouse before being packaged, none of the spices in Pinch’s inventory are older than two weeks. So not only are the spices they sell more environmentally friendly, they’re also fresher and ensure the farmers growing them receive proper compensation.

Their extensive online selection includes many uncommon or rare spices. Shoppers have the option for delivery or pickup and all orders are processed and fulfilled within 24 hours. Pickup orders are contactless; customers retrieve their orders from lockers located just outside their studio space. Deliveries are handled by either the U.S. Postal Service or UPS and ship nationwide, with most orders arriving within two to three business days.

While Pinch Spice Market no longer offers in-store shopping, they do have a brand new, one-of-a-kind spice vending machine, allowing for a quick, contactless pickup of some of their more popular spices and blends. To celebrate their unique vending machine, Pinch is running a contest from now until the end of June. To enter, all you need to do is take a picture of yourself with the machine and post it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #pinchspicemarket. The winner will receive a brand new KitchenAid stand mixer, along with a box of Pinch’s most popular spices!

For more information about Pinch Spice Market, the contest, or to see their entire selection of spices, visit pinchspicemarket.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

For many of us, the daily grind is the metaphorical one that comes with living that nine to five life. After deciding enough was enough, Thomas and Meaghan of Pinch Spice Market traded that grind in for a different, more literal one: grinding up and preparing spices for all manner of delicious dishes.

Initially working in tech and sales, a company buyout left Thomas looking for a new job. Everything he was qualified for was underwhelming; nothing sparked any passion. He was, however, passionate about cooking and, at this point, experimenting with barbeque. He was approached by one of his friends, who had lived on an organic spice farm in Costa Rica, with the idea of opening an organic spice shop. In 2012, after researching the viability of such a business, they embarked on what would become Pinch Spice Market.

Starting out, Pinch struggled. Overhead was high and, despite it’s location in an up-and-coming part of Chicago, the store wasn’t seeing enough foot traffic. Even when the business was making money, rent for the space increased. Eventually, Thomas’ friend departed from the business. That’s when Meaghan entered his life, both as a romantic partner and business partner. With a background in corporate marketing, Meaghan had just what Pinch needed to start turning things around. Gradually shifting to a primarily online retailer, Pinch Spice Market would make one more change: the move to Louisville.

Thomas and Meaghan were both already looking to move out of Chicago; they wanted to live in a smaller city within a drivable distance from Chicago. On their way back from a trip to Nashville, they stopped in Louisville for lunch and were blown away by the food scene here. After a few more visits to Louisville, they made the move in early 2019 and brought Pinch Spice Market to Mellwood almost immediately after.

At Pinch Spice Market, everything is done in-house: grinding the spices, packaging, labeling, and prepping them for pickup or shipping. All of the spices available at Pinch are organic, with as many as possible being fair and direct trade. While the spices you find in grocery stores often spend 12 – 18 months in a warehouse before being packaged, none of the spices in Pinch’s inventory are older than two weeks. So not only are the spices they sell more environmentally friendly, they’re also fresher and ensure the farmers growing them receive proper compensation.

Their extensive online selection includes many uncommon or rare spices. Shoppers have the option for delivery or pickup and all orders are processed and fulfilled within 24 hours. Pickup orders are contactless; customers retrieve their orders from lockers located just outside their studio space. Deliveries are handled by either the U.S. Postal Service or UPS and ship nationwide, with most orders arriving within two to three business days.

While Pinch Spice Market no longer offers in-store shopping, they do have a brand new, one-of-a-kind spice vending machine, allowing for a quick, contactless pickup of some of their more popular spices and blends. To celebrate their unique vending machine, Pinch is running a contest from now until the end of June. To enter, all you need to do is take a picture of yourself with the machine and post it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #pinchspicemarket. The winner will receive a brand new KitchenAid stand mixer, along with a box of Pinch’s most popular spices!

For more information about Pinch Spice Market, the contest, or to see their entire selection of spices, visit pinchspicemarket.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Artist Spotlight: Andrea Marshall

Posted on by nathaniel

Artist Spotlight: Andrea Marshall

Artist Spotlight: Andrea Marshall

For some, the call to create art comes naturally and at an early age. For others, it comes later in life, when circumstances arise which compel them to speak out. It was amid the pandemic and protests during the summer of 2020 when Andrea Marshall heard and answered that call.

Prior to the pandemic, Andrea worked in Washington, D.C. as a Senior Account Executive in Sales with Marriott Hotels and Resorts. Like many in the hospitality industry, she was placed on furlough when COVID hit. Not too long after, she found herself in Louisville with family. While quarantined, Andrea was glued to the television, watching the latest COVID news, and story after story of injustice playing out against African Americans. She was sad some days, and angry most.

At the urging of one of her friends, Andrea turned to art to help her express her feelings. She was hesitant at first; she had no background in visual art, and the closest she had was a background in culinary arts. But between her friend’s insistence and Andrea’s natural creative inclinations, she decided to give it a try.

From the moment she picked up a pencil, Andrea found sketching to be a release; it was calming. The more she drew, the stronger the desire to bring each sketch to life. What started as sketches on paper blossomed into full color images. From the first sketch, and every subsequent one, flowed an array of brides: “I’ve always had a connection to helping brides. Brides represent freedom, love, and new beginnings.” This is the symbol she wants to share with the world.

In “Under the Veil,” the title of her current collection of work, Andrea depicts African American brides of various skin tones, hair types, and body sizes. All of which are representations of the women in her life. “Under the veil, there is so much that connects us. There’s a harmony and a peace about who we are.”

If you’re interested in exploring or purchasing Andrea’s Work, be sure to check out her website, andreamarshalldesigns.com. You can also find her on Instagram @andreamarshalldesigns.

For some, the call to create art comes naturally and at an early age. For others, it comes later in life, when circumstances arise which compel them to speak out. It was amid the pandemic and protests during the summer of 2020 when Andrea Marshall heard and answered that call.

Prior to the pandemic, Andrea worked in Washington, D.C. as a Senior Account Executive in Sales with Marriott Hotels and Resorts. Like many in the hospitality industry, she was placed on furlough when COVID hit. Not too long after, she found herself in Louisville with family. While quarantined, Andrea was glued to the television, watching the latest COVID news, and story after story of injustice playing out against African Americans. She was sad some days, and angry most.

At the urging of one of her friends, Andrea turned to art to help her express her feelings. She was hesitant at first; she had no background in visual art, and the closest she had was a background in culinary arts. But between her friend’s insistence and Andrea’s natural creative inclinations, she decided to give it a try.

From the moment she picked up a pencil, Andrea found sketching to be a release; it was calming. The more she drew, the stronger the desire to bring each sketch to life. What started as sketches on paper blossomed into full color images. From the first sketch, and every subsequent one, flowed an array of brides: “I’ve always had a connection to helping brides. Brides represent freedom, love, and new beginnings.” This is the symbol she wants to share with the world.

In “Under the Veil,” the title of her current collection of work, Andrea depicts African American brides of various skin tones, hair types, and body sizes. All of which are representations of the women in her life. “Under the veil, there is so much that connects us. There’s a harmony and a peace about who we are.”

If you’re interested in exploring or purchasing Andrea’s Work, be sure to check out her website, andreamarshalldesigns.com. You can also find her on Instagram @andreamarshalldesigns.

You Can’t Have It All… or Can You?

Posted on by nathaniel

You Can’t Have It All... or Can You?

Finding career satisfaction, stability, and job security Is possible

You Can’t Have It All... or Can You?

Finding career satisfaction, stability, and job security Is possible

At some point in life, we have all heard from the gospels of stability and job security; perhaps we have even preached it ourselves. But if there is one common thread or theme from our tenants here at Mellwood it is this: stability and security are not adequate substitutes for career satisfaction. In striving for perceived safety, concessions are made. Some opt to find a “safe” gig doing something they are interested in. Others may choose to avoid following their passions entirely. The latter was the case for Karli from Massage on Mellwood.

What initially started as a part-time job while going to JCTC became a full-time position. Looking to ease some of the burdens she carried, Karli dropped out of JCTC and focused solely on her job in data entry and logistics. She appreciated the stability it provided her and her daughter and liked the people she worked with, but it was not something she felt any passion for. Believing it was impossible to work hard and derive satisfaction from it, she continued with this job for six years before deciding to change careers.

Similarly, William, also from Massage on Mellwood, went into a career he was not particularly interested in. After working as a server for two years, he agreed to go into restaurant management following multiple requests from his superiors. While it was less pay, it still paid well enough and provided greater long-term prospects. Although it was not something he had any interest in, he did initially enjoy his job. Over time, that enthusiasm dwindled to indifference and, ultimately, dread. The stresses of the job became increasingly harder to deal with. To cope, William regularly turned to massage. Eventually, William recognized the emotional and physical toll this job was taking on him, and decided it was time to explore a new career path.

It would be tempting to believe conventional wisdom surrounding employment holds true for those who manage to find a stable job in their field of interest, but this is not always true.

Prior to becoming a massage therapist and starting Massage on Mellwood with William and Karli, Tina was a social worker. While social work is a field wrought with stress, Tina had a strong desire to help others, which provided meaning for the work she did. For Tina, the stress became a problem as she rose through the ranks. While society encourages us to strive for this, it removed Tina from doing the kind of work that brought her into the field in the first place. As she advanced in her career, she was eventually placed in a managerial position overseeing 150 people. With her stress levels at an all-time high, Tina left social work.

Massage on Mellwood: Staff picture

​Initially working as an academic advisor, Jamie enjoyed helping students explore their interests, select their classes, and ultimately start them on their career paths. While Jamie’s greatest passion is art, she was regularly discouraged from pursuing it as a career. She saw academic advising as a good compromise between following her passions and her desire for a stable job. Outside of her job as an academic advisor, Jamie had started The Resource Room, which combined her interest in art with her desire to help people discover their best selves and promote personal growth. Being placed on furlough due to the pandemic this past summer proved to be the turning point for Jamie. After making all the right moves, following a more conventional career course, getting the degrees, and landing the job, Jamie watched as the security she thought she had begin to erode. She knew it was time to make her part-time passion project her full-time focus.

Resource Room: Jamie Shepherd

​For Reba of Reba Renee Design Studio, graphic design is still her passion. After discovering the field in college while working part-time at Café Press, she doggedly pursued it as a career. In the years after college, Reba worked as a graphic designer for two different advertising agencies. Unfortunately, agency life was too rigid, restricting, and ultimately hindered her productivity. Reba found it impossible to grow her career the way she wanted. Thankfully, she had always done some freelance work on the side, which allowed her to find her desired career path. Eventually, Reba was able to leave the agency life for good and start her own graphic design business.

Reba from Reba Renee Design Studio

When all is said and done, career satisfaction is as important a factor as job security or stability. While many of us are willing to sacrifice that satisfaction, in part or entirely, it is an unnecessary one. As each of our five tenants can attest, it is possible to have security and stability while finding joy in the work they do. It is a risk, and our tenants admit as much, but sticking with a job or career which only brings misery carries its own risks with less to show for it.

Business Spotlight: Reba Renee Design Studio

Posted on by nathaniel

Business Spotlight: Reba Renee Design Studio

Business Spotlight: Reba Renee Design Studio

During our teenage and young adult years, many of us struggle with feeling different from our peers and long to find our place in the world. For Reba (of Reba Renee Design Studio), being a student in duPont Manual’s Visual Art Magnet only compounded these feelings. While there, Reba found it difficult to find her voice as an artist and struggled with realism. Her passion wasn’t in realistically depicting subjects. She preferred the use of color and bold design. It wasn’t until working a part-time job at Café Press in college that Reba found what she was looking for.

While there, she was introduced to the world of graphic design. As far as careers go, it was love at first site. Once Reba completed all of her college prerequisites, she shifted her focus to graphic design. She began with courses on programs like Illustrator and Photoshop, cementing her love for graphic design.

After graduating, Reba landed a job working for an advertising agency as a graphic designer, doing some freelance work on the side. She eventually moved onto another firm before coming to conclusion that she needed to start her own business. Agency life was too rigid, restricting, and ultimately hindered her productivity, preventing Reba from growing her career the way she wanted. After a few years, Reba saved up enough money to go out on her own. Her bright, bold, and playful designs have garnered her clients like Feeder Supply, who have used her designs for their private Incredipet label. To learn more about Reba Renee Design Studio or to see more of her work, check out her website at rebareneedesign.com.

During our teenage and young adult years, many of us struggle with feeling different from our peers and long to find our place in the world. For Reba (of Reba Renee Design Studio), being a student in duPont Manual’s Visual Art Magnet only compounded these feelings. While there, Reba found it difficult to find her voice as an artist and struggled with realism. Her passion wasn’t in realistically depicting subjects. She preferred the use of color and bold design. It wasn’t until working a part-time job at Café Press in college that Reba found what she was looking for.

While there, she was introduced to the world of graphic design. As far as careers go, it was love at first site. Once Reba completed all of her college prerequisites, she shifted her focus to graphic design. She began with courses on programs like Illustrator and Photoshop, cementing her love for graphic design.

After graduating, Reba landed a job working for an advertising agency as a graphic designer, doing some freelance work on the side. She eventually moved onto another firm before coming to conclusion that she needed to start her own business. Agency life was too rigid, restricting, and ultimately hindered her productivity, preventing Reba from growing her career the way she wanted. After a few years, Reba saved up enough money to go out on her own. Her bright, bold, and playful designs have garnered her clients like Feeder Supply, who have used her designs for their private Incredipet label. To learn more about Reba Renee Design Studio or to see more of her work, check out her website at rebareneedesign.com.

Business Spotlight: The Resource Room

Posted on by nathaniel

Business Spotlight: The Resource Room

Business Spotlight: The Resource Room

Like the recession before it, the ongoing pandemic has undermined conventional wisdom surrounding college degrees and so-called “secure” jobs. When discussing the opening of The Resource Room, Jamie said, “I followed the rules, I got the degrees, I got the job and this happens and where’s the security? It doesn’t actually exist. So I decided this summer, I’m going to leave higher education, I’m going to put all my effort into this.”

Previously, Jamie worked as an academic advisor. She enjoyed helping students explore their interests, select their classes, and ultimately get them started on their career paths. During this time, Jamie started The Resource Room as a side project. Its goal was an extension of what she did as an academic advisor: help people discover their best selves and promote personal growth.

When the pandemic hit, the illusion of a secure job shattered. In summer of 2020, Jamie’s employer deemed it necessary to furlough workers; she volunteered, knowing she could take the hit better than some of her colleagues. This gave her the opportunity to put all her time and energy into The Resource Room. During the last few days of her furlough, the idea of going back tied her stomach in knots. Not only was there the dread of going back, but she also knew people who were genuinely following their passions and she questioned why she wasn’t. In the summer of 2020, Jamie decided to take the leap and devote herself wholly to The Resource Room.

The Resource Room combines Jamie’s desire to help nurture growth in others with her interest in art. As a kid, Jamie wanted to be an artist like her late father. It was through his art that Jamie got to know and connect with her father. In that spirit, she aids local independent artists in doing what they love and make a living doing it. The Resource Room not only offers artists a place to work and some supplies to do so, but also a place to display and sell their work. Jamie set up The Resource Room to follow a consignment model. Under this model, The Resource Room takes a percentage of sales to cover operational costs and artists aren’t charged anything up front to display their work.

As a lifelong dabbler in all things creative, Jamie knows how expensive getting into a new creative pursuit can be. As such, The Resource Room is also available to the general public to try new things. Some supplies Jamie readily has on hand and can be used at no extra cost; simply schedule a time to use the room. Other things, like t-shirt or button making, will have extra costs associated with them and/or visitors may need to bring their own supplies. The Resource Room is also available for private parties as well.

If you would like to learn more about what The Resource Room has to offer, what they have for sale in their gallery and gift shop, scheduling a time use the space, or displaying your artwork, visit resourceroomlou.com/ for more details.

Like the recession before it, the ongoing pandemic has undermined conventional wisdom surrounding college degrees and so-called “secure” jobs. When discussing the opening of The Resource Room, Jamie said, “I followed the rules, I got the degrees, I got the job and this happens and where’s the security? It doesn’t actually exist. So I decided this summer, I’m going to leave higher education, I’m going to put all my effort into this.”

Previously, Jamie worked as an academic advisor. She enjoyed helping students explore their interests, select their classes, and ultimately get them started on their career paths. During this time, Jamie started The Resource Room as a side project. Its goal was an extension of what she did as an academic advisor: help people discover their best selves and promote personal growth.

When the pandemic hit, the illusion of a secure job shattered. In summer of 2020, Jamie’s employer deemed it necessary to furlough workers; she volunteered, knowing she could take the hit better than some of her colleagues. This gave her the opportunity to put all her time and energy into The Resource Room. During the last few days of her furlough, the idea of going back tied her stomach in knots. Not only was there the dread of going back, but she also knew people who were genuinely following their passions and she questioned why she wasn’t. In the summer of 2020, Jamie decided to take the leap and devote herself wholly to The Resource Room.

The Resource Room combines Jamie’s desire to help nurture growth in others with her interest in art. As a kid, Jamie wanted to be an artist like her late father. It was through his art that Jamie got to know and connect with her father. In that spirit, she aids local independent artists in doing what they love and make a living doing it. The Resource Room not only offers artists a place to work and some supplies to do so, but also a place to display and sell their work. Jamie set up The Resource Room to follow a consignment model. Under this model, The Resource Room takes a percentage of sales to cover operational costs and artists aren’t charged anything up front to display their work.

As a lifelong dabbler in all things creative, Jamie knows how expensive getting into a new creative pursuit can be. As such, The Resource Room is also available to the general public to try new things. Some supplies Jamie readily has on hand and can be used at no extra cost; simply schedule a time to use the room. Other things, like t-shirt or button making, will have extra costs associated with them and/or visitors may need to bring their own supplies. The Resource Room is also available for private parties as well.

If you would like to learn more about what The Resource Room has to offer, what they have for sale in their gallery and gift shop, scheduling a time use the space, or displaying your artwork, visit resourceroomlou.com/ for more details.

Business Spotlight: Massage on Mellwood

Posted on by nathaniel

Business Spotlight: Massage on Mellwood

Business Spotlight: Massage on Mellwood

The story of Massage on Mellwood is the story of three different people facing the same problem and finding the same answer. Each was unhappy in their careers. Rather than staying the course, they sought out new careers and found each other in the process.

Before becoming a massage therapist, Tina was a social worker, managing 150 people and loaded with stress. It was only natural when Tina decided to study massage therapy. She knew firsthand the stress relieving power of massage after going for couple’s massages with her husband. She had also learned a bit about massage to help alleviate her husband’s arthritic pain.

Similarly, William also opted to change careers due to the stress levels at his job. William had initially studied massage therapy, but quit part way. After working various jobs, he found himself in restaurant management. Just as Tina had done, William turned to massage for stress relief. Between the toll his job was taking on him and his family’s history of heart issues, William decided to go back and study massage therapy.

For Karli, it wasn’t stress, but rather a lack of passion. After six years in data entry and logistics, Karli knew she needed a change. When she began studying massage therapy, she believed it would serve as a transition to something else. Two weeks into her classes, she discovered massage therapy was her passion.

After each independently chose to pursue massage therapy, Tina, Karli, and William found themselves studying together at Advanced Massage Therapeutics. Once they graduated, they started Massage on Mellwood in December 2019.

While the pandemic has impacted business, as they’re not able to do public events, they’re still able to see clients by appointment. Every room is thoroughly disinfected between sessions. Additionally, clients are only called inside once their session is ready to begin; no one is permitted to wait in the lobby.

From now until Valentine’s Day, Massage on Mellwood is offering two 60-minute massage certificates for $100. To learn more about Massage on Mellwood, the two for $100 special, or to book a session, visit their site at massageonmellwood.com.

The story of Massage on Mellwood is the story of three different people facing the same problem and finding the same answer. Each was unhappy in their careers. Rather than staying the course, they sought out new careers and found each other in the process.

Before becoming a massage therapist, Tina was a social worker, managing 150 people and loaded with stress. It was only natural when Tina decided to study massage therapy. She knew firsthand the stress relieving power of massage after going for couple’s massages with her husband. She had also learned a bit about massage to help alleviate her husband’s arthritic pain.

Similarly, William also opted to change careers due to the stress levels at his job. William had initially studied massage therapy, but quit part way. After working various jobs, he found himself in restaurant management. Just as Tina had done, William turned to massage for stress relief. Between the toll his job was taking on him and his family’s history of heart issues, William decided to go back and study massage therapy.

For Karli, it wasn’t stress, but rather a lack of passion. After six years in data entry and logistics, Karli knew she needed a change. When she began studying massage therapy, she believed it would serve as a transition to something else. Two weeks into her classes, she discovered massage therapy was her passion.

After each independently chose to pursue massage therapy, Tina, Karli, and William found themselves studying together at Advanced Massage Therapeutics. Once they graduated, they started Massage on Mellwood in December 2019.

While the pandemic has impacted business, as they’re not able to do public events, they’re still able to see clients by appointment. Every room is thoroughly disinfected between sessions. Additionally, clients are only called inside once their session is ready to begin; no one is permitted to wait in the lobby.

From now until Valentine’s Day, Massage on Mellwood is offering two 60-minute massage certificates for $100. To learn more about Massage on Mellwood, the two for $100 special, or to book a session, visit their site at massageonmellwood.com.

Business Spotlight: Enchanted Imagery

Posted on by nathaniel

Business Spotlight: Enchanted Imagery

Business Spotlight: Enchanted Imagery

There was never a point in Danae’s life where art and photography weren’t at the forefront. As a kid, she spent countless hours taking pictures. She admits her parents probably spent a fortune on film, but it was well spent as it gave Danae the opportunity to practice and develop her photography skills. While in school, Danae took every art elective course she could, as well as a film photography course in high school. She learned about color theory, composition, lighting, and posing, all of which she brings into her career as a photographer.

After spending time as a wedding photographer, Danae found herself drawn to couture style portraiture, primarily focusing on children and maternity portraits. Danae finds working with children to be extra special as it’s a chance to help elevate a child’s self-esteem. She works to ensure the children are just as excited and eager to get their picture taken as their parents are, even referring to these sessions as “princess sessions.”

Drawing from her love of Renaissance paintings and fancy dresses, as well as her background and experience in art, Danae provides clients with unique and specially tailored photography sessions. Danae storyboards every picture before meeting; sketching out ideas on paper or in her iPad to review with her clients before the shoot.

If you’re interested in seeing more of her work or booking a session with Danae, visit her website at enchantedimageryphoto.com. You can also find her on Facebook at Enchanted Imagery or Instagram at @enchantedimagery.

There was never a point in Danae’s life where art and photography weren’t at the forefront. As a kid, she spent countless hours taking pictures. She admits her parents probably spent a fortune on film, but it was well spent as it gave Danae the opportunity to practice and develop her photography skills. While in school, Danae took every art elective course she could, as well as a film photography course in high school. She learned about color theory, composition, lighting, and posing, all of which she brings into her career as a photographer.

After spending time as a wedding photographer, Danae found herself drawn to couture style portraiture, primarily focusing on children and maternity portraits. Danae finds working with children to be extra special as it’s a chance to help elevate a child’s self-esteem. She works to ensure the children are just as excited and eager to get their picture taken as their parents are, even referring to these sessions as “princess sessions.”

Drawing from her love of Renaissance paintings and fancy dresses, as well as her background and experience in art, Danae provides clients with unique and specially tailored photography sessions. Danae storyboards every picture before meeting; sketching out ideas on paper or in her iPad to review with her clients before the shoot.

If you’re interested in seeing more of her work or booking a session with Danae, visit her website at enchantedimageryphoto.com. You can also find her on Facebook at Enchanted Imagery or Instagram at @enchantedimagery.

Business Spotlight: John Albert

Posted on by nathaniel

Business Spotlight: John Albert

Business Spotlight: John Albert

As a true craftsman, John is driven by a desire to create. With his interest in the fine details and mechanical workings of fountain pens, as well as his background in furniture design and metalsmithing, it was only natural that John started making his own fountain pens.

Currently, most of John’s pens are made from plastics and acrylics with metal hardware and overlays. Among the various blanks John has at his disposal are vintage blanks he was able to buy from old pen manufacturers, a huge draw for many fountain pen collectors and enthusiasts. Additionally, these vintage blanks have unique patterns not found in those more recently produced.

Always looking to improve, John is regularly experimenting with new techniques, materials, and filling systems. He strives to make as many of the components as he can himself; each pen is not only hand assembled, but largely handcrafted as well. He is work on making his own metal hardware, which includes the nib units, clips, and barrel overlays. He also cuts and machines the blanks himself. You can find more of his work on Instagram at @jalbertlawrence.

Artist Spotlight: Uhma Janus

Posted on by nathaniel

Artist Spotlight: Uhma Janus

Artist Spotlight: Uhma Janus

Just as any journey begins with one step, Uhma Janus’ art journey began with one line eight years ago. Feeling the pangs to engage with her creativity, she pulled out some paper and acrylic ink she had bought on a whim and painted a line. And then another. And then another. She kept adding more lines over several evenings until she had completed her work. In doing so, she discovered something therapeutic and meditative in this process; something that grounded her in the moment and enabled her to engage with her emotions in their purest forms.

Uhma Janus: 3 paintings

As she progressed in her art, her study of the sciences, and her career as a nurse, Uhma began to combine the scientific and artistic as she began to create art exploring the essence of life and consciousness. While her art is still experimental and abstract, it drifted from the patterns and fractals that had come to typify her work to include representations of everything from cells to whole societies. During this time, she also started experimenting with acrylic and oil paints.

Ever the scientist artist, Uhma continues to experiment with new media and subjects. Some of her more recent work using graphite and colored pencils combine faces and geometry to explore emotions and personality traits. To see more of her work, you can visit her new site at uhmajanus.com.

Just as any journey begins with one step, Uhma Janus’ art journey began with one line eight years ago. Feeling the pangs to engage with her creativity, she pulled out some paper and acrylic ink she had bought on a whim and painted a line. And then another. And then another. She kept adding more lines over several evenings until she had completed her work. In doing so, she discovered something therapeutic and meditative in this process; something that grounded her in the moment and enabled her to engage with her emotions in their purest forms.

Uhma Janus: 2 paintings
Uhma Janus: 3 paintings

As she progressed in her art, her study of the sciences, and her career as a nurse, Uhma began to combine the scientific and artistic as she began to create art exploring the essence of life and consciousness. While her art is still experimental and abstract, it drifted from the patterns and fractals that had come to typify her work to include representations of everything from cells to whole societies. During this time, she also started experimenting with acrylic and oil paints.

Ever the scientist artist, Uhma continues to experiment with new media and subjects. Some of her more recent work using graphite and colored pencils combine faces and geometry to explore emotions and personality traits. To see more of her work, you can visit her new site at uhmajanus.com.