Small Business Spotlight

Spotlight on Darcie from Tulsa Shines Cleaning

Published

4 weeks ago

April 27, 2025

-Tell us about your business.

I own a residential and commercial cleaning business. We offer routine appointments as well as a la carte services like organizing and laundry.

-What inspired you to start your own business?

I had used house cleaners before, and they always did just an ok job. I wanted to start something that addressed what people needed help with. Our company strives to meet every customer’s individual needs and not only help with cleaning and tasks, but also create a welcoming environment. We know many moms deal with not just day-to-day life, but mental health issues, and we want all of our customers to feel comfortable and cared for with our services.

-What’s been your proudest “I did that!” moment so far?

Sometimes business slows down, and it’s really difficult to keep pushing on. But I’m so proud of myself for not giving up. It makes my heart so happy when I get last-minute appointments from a mother struggling, and I can just be there and help her.

-How do you juggle running a business and being a mom? Any secret superpowers?

Absolutely no secret powers, just keep going day by day. However, you have to enjoy and look at every day and think of it as an opportunity!

-What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other moms dreaming of starting a business?

You have to commit yourself to the business. It’s really hard, but you have to believe in yourself. You have to keep pushing on when things are hard.

-What’s your favorite way to involve your kids or family in your business?

I have a regular customer whose husband had a stroke, and I took my kids over every week to take their trash to the curb. I wanted to do anything I could to help them, and teach my children to give back to the people around them. They did this for a few months until, unfortunately, the husband passed away. They still make holiday cards for my customer and sometimes go to work with me to help out. I emphasize empathy with my children and want them to grow up knowing that we should always be there for the people around us.

Small Business Spotlight

Spotlight on Samantha from Rhea Lana’s of Midtown Tulsa

Published

4 weeks ago

April 28, 2025

Lauren Merrill

Rhea Lana’s of Midtown Tulsa is a high-quality children’s consignment event where families can buy and sell gently used clothing, toys, baby gear, and more at 60-90% off retail prices. This event is held seasonally and offers top-brand, high-quality items for babies through young adults in a well-organized shopping experience.

It’s a community-focused event, helping families save money while also allowing local parents to earn by consigning their gently used items. Rhea Lana’s is known for its commitment to quality, ensuring that all items meet strict standards before they hit the sales floor.

The upcoming Spring/Summer event is happening March 29 – April 3 at Boman Twin Event Center (2909 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa, OK 74129). In addition to shopping, families and organizations have the chance to give back, as unsold items can be donated to local charities that support families in need.

What inspired you to start your own business?

I had worked with other Rhea Lana’s in the area for several years when the opportunity presented it self I knew owning my own territory was exactly what I was called to do. I love the community that it had made for me throughout the seasons of life and motherhood. Once I found out I was expecting I had started looking at all the overwhelming options that come with this new season of life. I loved serving other moms working for a short time while also providing a need for my family to get items we needed at a fraction of the normal cost in one spot.

-What’s been your proudest “I did that!” moment so far?

My proudest moment is every event I connect with so many people. The consignor that is generous to give her children’s items a new life for someone else and the shopper that is wanting to provide amazing items for their family that makes them feel amazing. The circle of how this business works I truly get to work with so many different people in different seasons that through the struggles of owning a business makes it so worth it to provide that for so many in our community.

-How do you juggle running a business and being a mom? Any secret superpowers?

Being a mom in itself is a blessing and adventure. Rhea Lana’s has been the answer for me in that I love the seasonal aspect of the business as it allows me to juggle all the things. For those that don’t know I have a high functioning autistic son that goes to public school and I have a daughter that goes to a different school which means double the school calendars to keep up with. So it does give me the flexibility to be super busy in a certain season but it also means I can include my children through different parts of the event. Superpower for me would just be the constant looking at items in a positive light. Even though storms come and go it can hit through family, the business and even in the juggling of balancing everything. Most of anyone has gotten to know who I am, my family that helps constantly, the adventures of running these events, and so much more. I am grateful for those that have been in my path along this journey.

-What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other moms dreaming of starting a business?

I worked for many other Rhea Lana’s in the area before I purchased the Midtown Tulsa location. If you have passion for the mission of the business, I believe you can surround yourself with the right people and it does come together in the right time.

-What’s your favorite way to involve your kids or family in your business?

Both of my kids could be marketing geniuses they both describe my job as someone that sells their stuff. However, as they are getting older, they are a part of the behind the scenes work that happens. My son is the official counter between postcards, safety pins, and just other inventory items that is his area to help with. My daughter has been known to sneak postcards out of my purse and give them to different people while running errands because she sees they have kids. (So sorry those that just randomly get a little girl hand them flyers) But she loves looking for new places to go see in the Midtown area, testing all the toys from VIP and just being a bright light for the family.

Small Business Spotlight

Spotlight on Hailey from Smashed Game & Grill

Published

4 weeks ago

April 28, 2025

Lauren Merrill

-Tell us about your business.

I’m Hailey Piper, and my husband and I own Smashed Game and Grill in Broken Arrow’s Rose District! A retro 80’s/90’s arcade with console games & fun food!

-What inspired you to start your own business?

On top of Smashed we also own Nouveau Chocolates, also located in the Rose District. What inspired us to start Smashed was the amount of customers who would come in and want something to do after dinner. My husband and I being 90’s kids grew up with video games and all the classics. The amount of joy one can get from overcoming a game level is so rewarding! And what better way than to do it with friends and family!

-What’s been your proudest “I did that!” moment so far?

I think the proudest moment I’ve had is the joy from our birthday parties, young and old will play together and laugh.

-How do you juggle running a business and being a mom? Any secret superpowers?

Owning a business isn’t for the weak, but what helps is having a strong team for when you’re not there. I also have 3 boys who I homeschool so we’re definitely a busy family. But lots of coffee helps!

-What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other moms dreaming of starting a business?

The best advice I can give to anyone who has a family and who wants to start a business is, you have to prioritize your family. Own your business and do not let the business own you. I can say from experience it can be rough but the beauty of owning your own business is that YOU can control it.

-What’s your favorite way to involve your kids or family in your business?

Our boys love Smashed, they would come everyday if we let them. Video games, the fun game themed sodas, they often walk in like they own the place, well ya know. On days we need the help they often come to play while mom or dad works.

Small Business Spotlight

Spotlight on Cierra from Bluebird Art Studios

Published

4 weeks ago

April 28, 2025

Lauren Merrill

Tell us about your business.

Bluebird Art Studios is an award winning art school for kids ages 4-17. We offer weekly group classes, art camps, workshops and birthday parties. Students learn the fundamentals of drawing exploring all mediums such as acrylic paint, watercolor, oil pastels, and more! Each student has their own curriculum which allows them to excel at their own pace. Bluebird Art Studios is an advocate for all young artists, offering free art lessons and resources to children in foster care and patients at St Francis Children’s Hospital. We believe art should be for everyone, especially those who need it most.

-What inspired you to start your own business?

I have always been an artist ever since I can remember and the dream of owning my own art studio for kids has been a long time dream of mine, but didn’t become clear until March of 2020. I was an art director for a private school here in Oklahoma and when the pandemic hit, art was deemed nonessential and the program was removed. I was devastated because I witnessed the impact art has on so many children- it’s not just a creative outlet but it’s essential in a child’s education. I realized that many schools in the area didn’t have art and left children without access to quality art education. So I decided to do something about it and open up a studio dedicated to sharing my love for art with all young artists eager to learn!

-What’s been your proudest “I did that!” moment so far?

Honestly I feel this moment every day when I’m at my art studio setting up for a class. It’s that calm peace before the storm of kids rushing in. The feeling of accomplishment and peace. “I did this. I built this and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

-How do you juggle running a business and being a mom? Any secret superpowers?

People think that owning a business is a great side hustle or an easy way to make a little extra income- but it’s far from easy. You will be working 24/7 on top of your other daily obligations- being a mom, working and raising a family- where do you find the time?? I honestly wish there were 5 of me so I could truly get things done! But what I’ve come to realize is I can’t do it all on my own. I need help and it’s okay to ask for help. Look at the resources and talents around you. The first two years I was juggling everything all at once to the point I wasn’t getting any sleep and my family and my business wasn’t getting my 100% me. They were only getting sleep deprived, stressed, anxious me- and honestly it was not the best. So I had to make a decision- rather than trying to save a few extra dollars by doing everything by myself I decided to invest and hire a team. That team allowed me to take care of myself and my family so that my business can grow in the way it should. I always remember to take care of yourself first!

-What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other moms dreaming of starting a business?

Never give up. There will be people in your life who tell you – you can’t. There will be a million reasons why you can’t do it- but make them the reasons why you CAN. Following your dream is a journey with lots of twists and turns, but if you fight for what you believe in nothing can stop you from making them come true!

-What’s your favorite way to involve your kids or family in your business?

I love to brainstorm with them on what our upcoming art camp themes should be! I will watch a kids show with them or play video games just to stay in the loop of what being a kid is like! We come up with really creative ideas for art projects. It’s honestly one of the things I look forward to most!