My step-dad had given me a large box of popsicle sticks a few weeks earlier and I started making things with them – houses, jewelry boxes, bird houses – you get the idea. I thought, what if I cover them with the shells and then give them away as gifts. Eureka – my first business was born! I made several hundred dollars, until my supply of shells ran out. I know what you must be thinking, go get more. However, during the Maine winters there is NO collecting shells….LOL

While my first business was short lived, I had the bug for sure. Over the years, I dabbled in many small businesses. I loved the thrill and the challenges of owning a business and knew that one day I would actually make it!

Over the span of about 20 years, I had multiple businesses – everything from child day care to catering. While I enjoyed every business, I always had an overall goal for starting the business, and once that goal was attained, I typically was ready to move on to the next project.

During this time, I had many people tell me I was wasting my time, that I just needed to pick one and stick with it. But, then one day I read something from a very successful entrepreneur that said, I have started many businesses over these years – some have failed and some have succeeded – it is the one that you have the most passion that will take you to where you want to be! That quote has stuck with me over the years, and I still live by it today.

It was not until 2011, after about six businesses, that I finally had a business where I could leave my day job and focus on my business full-time. See over the years, I continued to work full-time, raise my kids, and grow a business. While I continued to work, I made sure that I learned everything I needed to be a business owner – everything from organizational structure, accounting, administrative, marketing, and more.

All that hard work finally paid off in 2011-2012, and I had my first six-figure year! Since then, I have stayed on the same course of starting multiple projects, however, one thing had changed – I discovered that my passion was helping others. I knew this to be true when I became a board-certified coach, and immediately my business skyrocketed! This was my passion!

Which leads us to today – here and now! I knew from all my years of business, all that I learned along the way, could help others looking to excel in their own business. Coupled with my passion for helping others, and my love of small businesses, DS Creative Studio was born. My goal, my passion for this project is to help other small business owners looking to achieve their goals.

See, I have been through and seen a great deal over the years as a business owner. I have gone through all the lessons learned, done all my own business work, such as organizational structure, financing, accounting, sales, marketing, and more. All of this coupled with continued education, allows me to provide you with great service and spare you the learning curves I experienced.

Now, I want to help you achieve your goals. With my coaching and your drive, you can reach your goals and realize your dreams! It will take work – hard work, but you can do it! I am living proof that it is possible, no matter what obstacles are in your way, they can be overcome!