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Plush Animals and Potpourri - making dreams come true
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Fluffin Friends - New Boston, MI - photography by Jennifer Laura
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12
Are you inspired yet, or do you need another shot of dreams coming true? Yesterday focused on Heavenly Treasures http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20894-Detroit-Methodist-Examiner~y2009m10d6-Wooden-Treasures-from-Heaven, today we will explore the worlds of stuffed animals and heavenly scents. Please keep in mind that behind the stories of the great people introduced there is a challenge. While you read about their courageous journey, ask your self this question: "Do I still have a dream?"
The first dream we are going to explore belongs to Shelley and Barry Woodworth. Their unique business is called Fluffin' Friends. You can see in the photograph above that they have a great assortment of animals and outfits to help anyone find their perfect plush pal. When asked what people need to know about their business, Shelley had this to say: "Our focus is on value, experience, and enjoying your kids while they're young." This is a teriffic goal all by itself, but there is an even deeper and more incredible story behind it. Before going into that, here is the sum of how Fluffin' Friends works. If you go into their booth, you can get any animal you want (dogs, cats, monkeys, pigs, dolls, etc.) along with any outfit for $25. This is an amazing value and makes sure that whatever animal you take home is special to the little one it was designed for. You can visit Fluffin' Friends at http://www.fluffinfriends.com, or you can call Shelley or Barry at 1-313-382-6852. One of their most incredible ventures is child birthday parties. For $200, 11 children can get their own animal, customized t-shirt, cradle and birth certificate. Best of all, it is in the venue you choose. Have a teriffic house party and watch your kids have the time of their life creating their new buddy. This business kicked off last August, and they are now booked for birthday parties into December. Just by being out and about and having business practices that focus on the "Golden Rule" (see verse at the top of the page) they have had an incredible increase in business. The core of this business, Shelley explained, was that her daughter absolutely loved going to the stores where you can design your own bear. One problem with this is that it was expensive, far away, and you could not hold a birthday party there. This frustration found Shelley going through piles of her daughters animals, reading tags, and researching ways to make this dream come true. After months and months of research and hard work her dreams started coming together. Shelley and Barry found a way to borrow the funds and put together this amazing business. When asked about the most rewarding part of this business, Shelley simply responded, "The kids make me smile". Husband Barry works full time while Shelle is the full time mom of a 5 1/2 month old and a 9 year old. You can see Barry working hard to help these dreams comes true. (Below)
Barry Woodworth - New Boston, MI - photography by Jennifer Laura
So what makes the Woodworths so thankful for the joy of these children? Shelley shared some very personal experiences that led to this deep appreciation of the laughter of little ones. She and husband Barry had a very difficult time having their first child. It was a journey frought with pain that included 6 miscarriages. You can imagine the joy at having their first child, and how precious it was to them. Years later, they had a second wonderful surprise. "I was surprised to find I was pregnant" Shelley said, but is overjoyed about their now 5 and a half month old baby. This reminded me immediately of another blessed child. This one belonged to Abraham and Sara and was named "laughter". You can find that story in the book of Genesis chapter 21. And so it is that the pain of the past has led to the blessings of the present and the future. Shelley and Barry have found joy in something that came out of loving and appreciating their children, and finding a place where their passions could become a business that would delight people everywhere they go. This path of hardship leading to inspiration and innovation makes Fluffin' Friends a truly great American Business right here in our Great State of Michigan. Their dream is part of a journey with equal parts tears and triumph, and it will make you feel great to be a part of its success. If you have children and are looking for a great party at home, contact Fluffin' Friends. While your kids are building their new plush buddies, you will find that you are building memories that will be with you your entire life. Just around the corner from Fluffin' Friends there was another great story of courage and innovation, and it smelled amazing!
Potpourri Lady USA - New Boston, MI - photography by Jennifer Laura
Meet Mike Ward (above). He was working hard on behalf of his wife, Teresa. Together they created a business that will fill any room in your house with absolute joy. For about two years, Teresa worked with a crafter selling potpourri at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Mike and Teresa were offered an opportunity to purchase the business, however within that time frame they purchased their dream home and dicided to build their own business. They now have 850 lbs of botanicals from all over the world in their once three car garage. It has been transformed into the main workshop. Their basement is now the creative haven for the blends that you see. Teresa spent months researching which botanicals reacted the best to oils, and spends countless hours blending them to find the perfect look. With all of this work behind them, Teresa admits that it was still a "leap of faith" to get things rolling. You can get a large bag of this amazing and long lasting (sometimes more than a year) potpourri for $8. If you want to e-mail in an order at PotpourriLadyUSA@aol.com, you can add about $2 for shipping. You can also call them at 1-810-241-7311. It was shocking to see how inexpensive this incredible potpourri was. The Christmas Pine was a personal favorite, and knowing that there will be a large amount next to the artificial tree this year certainly inspires a smile or two. Other scents include: Jasmine, Lavendar, Lilac, Cinnamon, Cran-Apple, Apple Pie, Orange Spice, Cranberry and Sweet Citrus, which Teresa is especially proud of. These incredible blends are so well put together. If any of the botanicals have chemical stains or problems she simply does not use them. The oils used in these scents are alchohol free. This makes them last much longer and makes them safer than traditional oils. The kind of care and personal attention that goes into these creations is truly rare in a world of diminishing customer service. You get that same attention when you are trying to make your purchase (see below).
Mike Ward helping his cusotmers - New Boston, MI - photography by Jennifer Laura
Christmas Pine in a bag - New Boston, MI - photography by Jennifer Laura
So you may be wondering why Mike and not Teresa is featured in these photos. Mike is a hard working supervisor at Grand Blanc Cement, putting in 50 to 60 hours a week. He also devotes his time to helping grow this great business. Teresa was unable to make this show. She is a day manager at GNC, and recently had back surgery. They have found that they had to pursue their dreams on the side of working their jobs. This is how the next great American Businesses are being developed. So, before the retail stores get clued in, give them a call and get a teriffic deal on this amazing product. Teresa has said that they are doing everything they can to keep the costs down so that more and more people can enjoy their products. Most of their orders come in from repeat business. People who are so impressed with what they find that they just cannot get enough. If you want to give a truly great Michigan based gift, this potpourri is an inexpensive high quality treat that will be sure to make everyone smile. Call and order some today! Even though Teresa says this is a leap of faith, it is a very well educated and heavily researched leap.
Both of these incredible stories have several things in common. First, hard work. Neither of these businesses was started on a whim or without a great deal of hard work. They are equal parts inspiration and perspiration, and make for the kind of stories we here in Michigan can be proud of. So what about you? We were all created with a passion or a dream. Inevitably, life has brought along heartbreak and frustration. What skills have you obtained in the process that give you a unique ability and perspective? Your trials are not the the walls around your dreams, they are the bridges that will help you get there. God uses our hurts for inspiration and our bruises to become blessings. Take a cue from the Woodworths and the Wards. Find that thing that you are great at and become the expert. You may find yourself with the keys to a new business and a great story. However, it may take some time and sweat. Remember that the journey is always more valuable than the prize. God wants you to find the inspiration that He placed in you, so start looking! Thank you all for joining this journey of faith through Applefest. Tomorrow is another day and another article. Until then, God bless and keep reading!
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