Being a Mom and Small Business Owner in Cary, NC

In 2018, I earned my favorite job title: Mom. That was the moment my world shifted, and suddenly everything I did became about my little people. At the time, I was driving to my corporate office every day from 8 to 5, feeling miserable leaving my daughter behind and wondering if I would regret all the time spent sitting behind a desk instead of being with her.

Almost seven years ago, when my baby was just over six months old, my husband and I knew we were ready for a change. We decided that our home state of Connecticut was no longer the right fit for us, and it was time to start fresh somewhere new. North Carolina felt like the perfect place for our family, and thankfully, my corporate job at the time made the move possible. Even though I didn’t love the job, I knew it was the right decision for our future.

We packed up our entire life, our one-year-old daughter, and said goodbye to everything familiar in Connecticut.

Finding a New Dream in North Carolina

For the next year, I worked back and forth between North Carolina and South Carolina. During that time, I began realizing that corporate life might not be for me after all. I had started running my Etsy business as a side hustle, and it was doing well, but I wanted it to become something bigger.

One day, I sat down with my dad, and he gave it to me straight:

“What do you actually want to do?”

It was the same question that had followed me since college.

The answer was simple: I always wanted to teach art.

After a lot of research, I realized teaching in a traditional classroom wasn’t the path I wanted. I wanted creativity, flexibility, and most importantly, more time with my family.

That’s when we found Cheers N Paint.

Building a Mom-Owned Art Studio in Cary, NC

Cheers N Paint became my dream and gave me the freedom to be the hands-on mom I always hoped I could be. Today, Cheers N Paint is a mom-owned art studio in Cary, NC, offering creative paint classes, birthday parties, and family-friendly art experiences for kids and adults.

Of course, adding a small business into the mix can feel chaotic at times, but honestly, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Since starting the business almost six years ago, our family has grown by two more children, making us a family of five. One of the greatest blessings of owning a small business is the flexibility it gives me. I’m able to take my kids to appointments, keep my youngest home instead of in daycare, and be more involved in school activities and everyday moments that I might have otherwise missed.

 

The Real Life Behind Running a Small Business

That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Behind the scenes, I’m constantly planning classes, organizing birthday parties, running social media, and teaching paint classes. Small business responsibilities never really “turn off,” but it’s work that fills my cup in a completely different way than corporate life ever did.

As a mom and small business owner, I know how much heart goes into creating something meaningful. Some days are messy, loud, and exhausting. Other days remind me exactly why I chose this path.

Helping Families Celebrate Through Art

One of my favorite parts of owning Cheers N Paint is helping parents plan birthday parties. As a mom myself, I relate to them on a personal level.

I think about the little details the same way they do: what would make the day special, what’s actually worth paying for, and how to create memories that kids will talk about long after the party ends.

Whether we’re hosting a birthday party, a kids’ paint class, or a creative event for families in Cary, my heart is always the same: to give people a place where they can relax, create, celebrate, and enjoy time together.

Why Cheers N Paint Means So Much to Me

Being a mom in the small business world isn’t always balanced perfectly. Some days are messy, loud, and exhausting. But at the end of the day, I’ve built something that allows me to be present for both my family and my passion, and that means everything to me.

Cheers N Paint is more than a business to me. It’s a place where creativity, family, and community come together. And I’m so grateful I get to share that with families here in Cary, NC.

Come Create With Us

If you’re looking for art classes, paint classes, birthday parties, or a fun, creative activity in Cary, NC, I’d love to welcome you to Cheers N Paint.

Whether you’re planning a special celebration or just looking for something creative to do with your kids, we’re here to help make it easy, fun, and memorable.