Mom-P-Inc. – Paola Lewis of The Rusty Rooster
Motherhood, it changes you.
While there’s a whole list that involves sagging and wrinkled, exhausted and emotional that can be wrapped in there, for many women becoming a Mom takes life to a whole other level.
It brings out our genuine loves, forces them into places creatively and personally that reveal talents and ingenuity unrealized until that point.
It inspires.
Moms see a need and create the solution.
So, with this monthly series we celebrate the genius of Comox Valley women who turn the lessons of parenthood into a resource for the community.
We celebrate local mom entrepreneurs.
Name: Paola Lewis
Age: 36
Business:Rusty Rooster Home Furnishings and Accessories
2722 Dunsmuir Avenue
Town: Cumberland
Tell us a bit about your work: The Rusty Rooster is a small home store in downtown Cumberland that features handmade Canadian gifts for baby, the bath and the home.
I always wanted to go into business for myself. It was a matter of when and where it was going to happen. When I moved to Cumberland I knew right away that this was the place. I love to decorate and am inspired by spaces in a house. I love to incorporate new pieces with old pieces in a home So it seemed natural to me to open a Home Furnishings and Accessories store that carried both.
Having less time for my boys. I was a stay at home Mom for many years. There were always cookies in the cookie jar, a healthy meal on the table, time to pick them up after school, time to garden ect. I find myself trying to strike a balance. Making my own hours has worked well in that I am home by 5:00 which gives me time to make dinner and more time for homework, reading and things like that. I am still learning to organize myself better.
If I had the time to hang out I would love to have a warm drink in my hand and go to an outdoor market and find some local treats and goodies to make dinner then head to some second hand stores (one of my favorite things to do) and buy some things that I don’t really have space for in my house.
Word of mouth has been so powerful. I am forever great full to my customers who bring their friends and family in to say Hi! and to show them the store.
Meeting people and connecting with people from the valley has been incredibly rewarding. I never know who is going to walk through the door and what experience that will bring.
The greatest success is being here. Realizing my dream and living it. I still walk in the door sometimes and literally pinch myself and have a little giggle of excitement. The toughest lesson was getting it off the ground and finding the finances to do it.
My friends and family have been a huge source of support. Since I have opened the store I have found inspiration, guidance and great advice from some of the other business owners in Cumberland.
So far so good. It is certainly not without a little stress sometimes but things always have a way of working themselves out.
One step at a time. Being very optimistic and doing the best job I can raising my boys with a few bumps and lots of lessons along the way.
Go for it
Believe in yourself
Don’t let fear hold you back
None. I love our little piece of heaven. It is perfect.
I love the cooking light and my recipes website. I love finding new yummy food to make.
Category: Meet Mom Entrepreneurs, Mom & Dad, TODAY'S FAMILY, Working Moms
About the Author (Author Profile)
Robin is Our Big Earth’s Executive Editor. A journalist with more than 20 years under her belt, she’s worked for newspapers and magazines across North America. Vancouver Island became her home in 2006 when she and her husband ditched big-city life to raise their daughters close to familySubscribe
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We absolutely love the Rusty Rooster and made a special trip there to get some Christmas presents, Paola is so welcoming and helpful it’s an absolute joy to go over. We are so pleased to have individual, unique shops in the Valley and aim to support them at every opportunity.
Nicola, you rock.
The Rusty Rooster does too.
I wish I lived in Paola’s store:)
Nicola, you rock.
The Rusty Rooster does too.
I wish I lived in Paola’s store:)
What an inspirational read. Good on you, Paola!