Meet our Clients!

This month we would like to introduce you to Alyssa Van Guilder and her little family that has been growing!  Alyssa is the owner and artist behind the amazing retreat in Goffstown, Apotheca!  The little depot building has been transformed into a coffee and tea shoppe with yummy goodies and smiling staff.  Also, a place to sit and relax, take in a class, or enjoy open mic night!  And of course, the flower shop is always meeting and exceeding our expectations, with Alyssa's wonderful selections from the Boston flower market and her staff that goes the extra mile!  Take a look at the dynamic woman behind it all...

Please tell us a little about your family!

I share my days with 5 wonderful people!  The man of my life, Pierre, and my 4 children, Noah who is 12, Brynne who is 9, Cochlea who is 2, and Totem who is 3 months.

Can you share how you began your artwork in flora and fauna?

My first job at age 12 was for Farmer Dale Brown--he was our neighbor in rural Minnesota.  I started picking green beans and eventually ended up in the Green Houses working with flowers--that's where the magic happened-and my relationship with living blossoms began.   I am an artist and  love meaningful beauty --flowers are among the most powerful of all artful things, in my opinion. :)

How did you come to NH?

My father was born and raised in Vermont.  After a family reunion that took place in the great state of New Hampshire, I fell in love with it here.  Soon I concocted a plan to get as many of us 9 siblings-together with my parents-to move here!  While my two older sister's lived in Chester, NH, the rest of us were scattered everywhere.  I had one sibling still in my birth state of Alaska, one in Virginia, two- including myself- in Texas, and a handful in Minnesota.  It took some time, but eventually the bulk of us landed in New Hampshire.  

What brought you to the place of taking the leap and opening Apotheca ?

It was dream that festered for years and then necessity invited me to take the leap.  I responded with a blindfolded jump.  

What makes the long days worth it?

People--I have come to know so many incredible people, and many customers have become like family.  Also, being able to spend energy on a creative effort that I believe in is a gift, even on a 16 hour day! 

How do you balance the work and the passion?

I would say the passion creates the work, therefore the work is the passion.  However, it's always a trick finding time to do laundry! :)

Meet our Clients!

This month we would like to introduce you to Jenny Garby of J. Bella Salon!  Jenny and her husband have the cutest little girl who seems to be the apple of their eye!  And a wonderful AHP model!

Jenny, please tell us about your family!  

I have a pretty large family with 3 sisters and a brother.  I met my husband Tom through an online dating site and have been married for 2 1/2 years. We have a beautiful little 13m old Emma who is just starting to walk. 

How did you get involved in the styling industry?

Honestly I couldn't afford college at the time.  My mother suggested going to hair school and I happened to love it. It was the best thing that could have happened. I got more involved a few years into it and started working for a color company.  I taught their brand color and new techniques for a couple years.  

How and when did you begin your adventure with J. Bella?

In 2001 the salon I was working at was going to sell their salon to someone that didn't want booth renters. I started looking for a space to move to and there wasn't really anything I liked that was open so I asked my friend if she wanted to open something together. We found the perfect space for the 2 of us.  After a year we were growing out the space so we added another stylist an doubled our size. We just kept needing more space so we ended up adding another unit 2 years later.  The bank that was on the other side of us was open so we ended up in our space that we are in now in 2007.  We started out with 650sq feet an are now at 2,300!

How do you balance life as a business owner and mother?  

It has been a transition. My business partner Jennifer and I both have children and we split things up pretty equally.  I have a great support system that helps with watching Emma so I can work. I don't work nearly as many hours as I used to.  We also promoted one of our receptionists to Mgr so she helps a lot with the salon making sure things are done, orders are placed Etc..  

I just have to add I really love what I do. I think people should find a career doing something they really enjoy. My clients have become friends. One of our clients delivered my baby, is my Dentist, our accountant and so on.  You get to know people over the years. I have a few clients that I have had for over 15 years!  I really think the old saying us true "If you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life" 

Sorry for rambling on, I just get mushy when I think of how lucky I am!!

A note from Allison Hope Photography:  We are excited to share that J. Bella is the host for our Bella Sessions on May 19th!   Jenny is also going to be our hair designer for the sessions!  Please call us to book your session soon 867-4970.

Meet our Clients!

This month we would like to introduce you to the Ayotte/Kenison family!

John is an attorney in the area and Melissa is a 2nd generation glass artist!

Both of their kids are inquisitive and full of smiles!

We have asked Melissa to share with us some about her amazing talent working with glass!

Navajo basket with Black Eyed Susan bouquet!

1.    

Please teach us a little about your art form!

As a glass artist I create very tiny, life like sculptures or ideas which tend to mostly reference nature- flora and fauna.  This is done with a technique called lamp working or flame working. I make small leaves, petals, flowers, or tendrils- all in glass. After the design is created it is then carefully encased in molten clear glass, and  shaped into various forms. Primarily this tradition meets its end in something called a paperweight, but the word paperweight is quite limiting, often bringing to mind the acrylic or plastic butterfly in a dome like piece.  These art glass pieces are far from that .  In fact, I’ve started to use the encasement process to push the natural limits of the glass and create other more sculptural items -- stones, Navajo baskets, bud vases and so on. Keep in mind each of these has realistic bouquets or references encased inside the glass.   

  Where did you learn?

I’m very fortunate to be a second generation glass artist. My father Rick Ayotte has been working glass in various forms for 50 years.  His expertise allows me to start at a higher level with the glass. The medium itself, glass, has so many nuances and “secrets” that are more easily discovered with the help of master artist. I didn’t grow up always working with glass. He encouraged me to get an education and work in the world for someone else before even considering this path.  It wasn’t until graduate school for counseling psychology, when I desperately needed to earn money to support myself, that I sat down at the bench with the torch and fell head first in love with the process. 

Where are you able to work?

My studio is approximately 20 feet from my home.  I feel privileged to be near to my kids while they grow and enjoy having lunch with them or transporting them here and there when I can.  It’s not always easy to keep them out of the studio, but we’ve made it clear they can visit, but not stay all the time when the sitter is here!  There have to be boundaries, but as they grow older (my son is 5 and daughter 3) the roar of the torch is not as frightening as it once was and their intrigue grows.  I guess we take it as it comes and when I’m really working hot glass, it’s obvious to them that I’m unable to give attention.  I think both my father and I enjoy the visits!  After all, we’ve always had an easel and work area for them to play at.

How do you balance family and work?

I try to keep a regular schedule five days a week 9-4 so that everyone maintains some sort of tempo.  Of course, it never works out perfectly, but at least this keeps us all going.  Upcoming shows and time crunches generally change everything, but we deal with that mostly spring and fall, so the pattern helps us stay balanced. My husband John Kenison is super supportive, trying to give me extra time when I need it or watching the kids when I’m traveling.   And I couldn’t be productive without work out time, so that takes priority for balancing mind and body.

How did you end up with your studio and home in New Hampshire?

I am a New Hampshire native. I went away to North Carolina and California for school, but New Hampshire is home.  Growing up we spent a lot of time vacationing in northern NH and the lakes, ocean and woods is where I derive so much of my inspiration.  New Hampshire wild flowers are a part of many of my sculptures and I couldn’t imagine a richer place to be for a nature artist. Our time in New Boston has really enhanced that experience for me. 

To see more of Melissa's work, please visit her here!

Meet our Clients!

Please allow us to introduce...

The Revaz Family!

Not pictured are dad Brian and mom Kerrie, the kids take center stage at the Revaz home!

How did you and your family come to be in New Boston? 

  My husband and I are from Massachusetts and before we got married we decided to buy a two family in Nashua, NH.  We lived there for 3 years and saved money for a single family home.  In 2002, we started looking for homes.  We told our realtor that our dream was to live in a small town that maybe had a river that ran through it....true story!  She brought us to New Boston and we thought wow, this is far from our family, but this is exactly what we were looking for in a town.  We thought about it and decided this is where we want to raise our family, so we built our first home in 2002.  Love this town and can't imagine living anywhere else!

Can you please tell us about your business? 

 I am my own boss for a direct selling company, lia sophia.   lia sophia is a family built company that creates high - quality, trendsetting fashion jewelry for over 40 years.   This is a business dedicated to connecting woman to their dreams. 

How did you begin working in this industry?  

I went to a show at friends house almost 8 years ago and I fell in love with the jewelry.  I wanted it all!  I found myself asking questions about becoming an advisor.  I heard no start up cost, so I had nothing to lose, so why not give it a try.  I did my first show and made over $400 and I was hooked!  I have always had a passion for fashion, so this was the job for me.  I was a stay at home Mom with 3 kids and at that first show I realized I needed to get away from my kids!  I now have 4 beautiful children and I am able to be home with them and work around their crazy schedules.  I love that I am able to contribute to the family more than I ever dreamed possible AND I earn trips every year to amazing places.  

How do you balance family and work?  

Family comes first!  It is never easy being a mom trying to juggle a job with a family, but I couldn't do it alone.  I have an incredibly supportive husband who is home with the kids when I am out at a show or a meeting.   I set my own schedule and I work around my children's activities, so being able to do this is a huge plus.  I think that I am a better Mom, because of lia sophia - I needed something for me!   I thank God everyday for the opportunity to raise my family and have a great business.  

Do you have a favorite party moment?   

 My favorite and best hostess in almost 8 years was my guy friend from high school.  My friend Rick called me up and said I love having parties and I want to host a lia sophia show.  I said GREAT Rick this will be fun to catch up with you and your husband.  He called ME 2 or 3 times a week before his show to discuss everything from where I would display my jewelry to what he was making for cocktails.  He had over 40 guests and the best spread.  He had his menu planned for 2 weeks!  We had so much fun and the sales were close to $2000!!  

Do you have any business advice for other working mother’s? 

   Make time for you and for your family.  Family should always come first, so give them your full attention.  Don't ever be afraid to ask for help.  You can have it all with balance and support!