Mama 2.0
If you’re reading this, it means my new website is up! This has been a work in progress since early 2022, so it’s a big milestone for me and Mama 2.0. It took me a little while to get my footing because it’s a custom site with technology that is all new for me, in a phase of life that has been intentionally more analog. I also really don't enjoy sitting down for hours on end. So it required digging deep for some patience and focus; it also helped when my doctor reminded me that learning new skills is good for maintaining mental acuity in a phase of life where it seems like brain cells are dripping out of my brain at an alarming rate. Once I got the hang of it, I really enjoyed the process. It was especially fun to go back through years and years of pictures and Mama Bath and Body memories, while crafting the new virtual space in which Mama Apothecary will exist. It also reminded me that when I started this business, there was no Shopify or anything of the like (also, I had no money) so I learned Dreamweaver and designed my website from scratch. I found a photo of the landing page from my first site the other day. It’s from October 2004. A lot has happened since then!
But what I'm really most excited about is my physical space. We started a construction project on our house this past summer that will add a sizable addition to my much smaller basement workspace. Before we decided to do this project, I wasn't really sure what was going to become of Mama. I wasn't willing to go back into the rental market and frankly, doing these web pop-up product drops was more of a hassle than it was fun. I have been working out of 3 unconnected spaces (not including a 400 square foot storage unit) and it was hard to find any sort of flow. Making a batch of anything took a lot of planning and moving around of ingredients and equipment. But I still really love making products and connecting with customers, so I never felt like I wanted to let it go. I decided to just keep doing *something* until a path opened up.
But I’m a grown up (mostly) and have a lot of practice with delayed gratification (I actually do), so I’ve been as patient as possible (not very) and super calm about all of the snafus (not really) and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel (not yet. but soon!)
If all goes as planned, this project will wrap up by the end of February. I will have a lot to do to move out of my storage units and get the space set up, so I'm not going to make myself crazy by trying to do a spring drop. I'll keep in touch and let you know when I know more :) What I do know is that the months of enormous headaches will be worth it, because I am really excited about this space and my next chapter!