Small Business Spotlight

Spotlight on Darcie from Tulsa Shines Cleaning

Published

10 months 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 Nicky from Gracefully Glazed Pottery Barn LLC

Published

9 months ago

June 3, 2025

Lauren Merrill

We are a locally/women owned pottery painting studio. We opened our first studio in April of last year in downtown Coweta on Broadway Street. My sister (Cassy Brown) and I.

What inspired you to start your own business?

Our goal when we opened the studio was to be able to provide something fun for the community while being able to spend more time with our kids. We have 4 girls. We quickly realized this was something we really enjoyed but couldn’t rely on for full time employment. So after a year, we have decided to open our second location in the beautiful Rose District in Broken Arrow!

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

Our proudest moment was when we realized that our dream of owning our own business was not only making it, but thriving enough to open a second location, all while juggling 2 jobs and 2 kids each!

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

We don’t have any super powers(unfortunately )but what we have is: strong family support/dedication/community support and a few tears along the way.

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

Our advice to other moms wanting to start a small business would be: DO IT!!! Push everything else to the side, ignore the fear(cause there will be a lot of that) come up with a game plan and just keep pushing until you make that small dream a reality. Build yourself an empire of supportive people who will be there to lift you up off the ground when you need it. They will be your saving grace at times.

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

Our favorite way to involve our kids: put ‘em to work, we have employed our two oldest and they have done nothing short of make us proud. They can run the store with their eyes closed. Our two youngest, well, we let them create beautiful art pieces to showcase around the studio.

Want to be featured on the Tulsa Moms Small Business Spotlight? Apply here: https://forms.gle/Qammbs9fG6wY37tn6

Small Business Spotlight

Spotlight on Samantha from Rhea Lana’s of Midtown Tulsa

Published

10 months 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

10 months 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.