Silver Linings: how Everyday Hello was born

Hello, and welcome to my newest blog Everyday Hello! My name is Danielle Montgomery, and regularly I blog over at I Like Boring Things (my personal blog). I am so excited to be starting this new blog in congruence with a brand new small business. My shop isn't quite up and running yet, but I wanted to get a head start on blogging this new adventure. Everyday Hello is my shop where I will sell very special handmade cards. I am so looking forward to sharing my passion for paper crafts with the world, and I hope these cards will bless the special people in your life, and provide an unique avenue for communication with friends, family, and loved ones.

Since this is my first post, I'd really like to share with you my reasons for beginning this new business. One month ago, on February 1st I was in a car accident. Luckily, I only sustained a few injuries and will be able to make a full recovery. It was the age old case of car vs. ice- which led to: car vs. tree. (The tree won). After the accident my entire life changed. I went from being a substitute teacher, involved in community activities, living with a roommate in my own apartment- to not having the ability to do anything on my own. It was a hard adjustment to make, but I am taking things one day at a time.

The accident did more than just break my knee and hip- it has provided me with some amazing silver linings. One silver lining was a wake up call on how thankful I am for the people in my life. When the accident happened I was literally flooded with support from all sorts of people I knew: family members, close friends, co-workers, professors, new acquaintances; literally everyone in my life that I knew, past or present, reached out to me and offered me love, prayer, and support. I was overwhelmed with love and thankfulness for these people in my life. I realized that too many days had been passing me by; that I was forgetting to call people back, I'd go weeks without talking to my best friends, and wasn't taking the time to really invest in my relationships. My priorities became very clear; I wanted my life to be centered around the things most important to me: God, Family, and Friendships. Since that fateful day I have felt an amazing drive to connect with the people in my life, to express my love and feelings to them in an urgent manner, and to really take charge of investing in my relationships with people.

What does this new found priority have to do with Everyday Hello? Well, I'm glad you asked. I feel so grateful that I have this new perspective and I'd like to be able to help others strengthen their communication and relationships with others. But how? I realized that I could combine this mission with my love for crafting and actually start a business founded on these principals. My handmade cards will give others the opportunity to purchase a unique card to share their own love with someone special in their life. Not only will I enjoy making the cards, but I can help other people spread love, joy and support in their relationships! Since I am unable to be teaching while I am recovering, this business is beginning at just the right time for me. I can begin to save up some money while I heal before I am able to go back to work.

So this brings me to Everyday Hello, a very simple business with a big heart behind it: Connecting people with their loved ones, Sharing their love and everyday life with them, and Expressing it through a beautiful, unique handmade card.  I hope you take some time to explore my shop as soon as it's up and running and that you will consider joining me on this journey of starting a small business and sharing the importance of making the people in our lives a priority. Check out my website here (link to come) and feel free to leave comments or contact me; I'd love to hear from you!