What is Lush Life?

Originally posted on another website, and moved here.  Lush Life is about how living your best life often starts with living outside your comfort zone.  What if I didn't open Lush Art?  I mean, it scared the bejeezus out of me.  What did I know about running a business?  Not a hell of a lot.  But what did I do?  Did I wait around?  Did I keep it on my dream shelf to think about every once in awhile?  No!  I did it.  I opened on a wing and a prayer, and a unsecured line of credit.  I found a place I had to do minimal to as far as getting it open.  I had the walls painted and started painting ideas.  I turned my dreams into plans and my plans into a purpose.  My purpose was to create a safe and relaxing place for women to paint, to play, to forget about all the stresses and responsibilities of life, if only for a short while.  I can say after 4 years of building this purpose, I am very proud of what it has become.  


Sure, I have days I cuss the day I decided to do this.  I mean it was pretty easy being a stay at home mom, comparatively.  Not that being a stay at home mom is easy, it is hard, but it had less pressure than opening and running a business.  I didn't open because we "needed" me to work.  I was lucky, my husband's job provides for us to live.  There are difficult customers, bitchy social media trolls, inventory issues, there is always something.  But I needed more.  MORE.  I needed a purpose, I knew I had a passion and I wanted to share it.   But some days it is REALLY HARD.  


But then I get a good review raving about Lush Art, I have someone run up to me at a restaurant and say "You're the Lush Art girl, I love you on Instagram!", or I have someone send me a message about how they are bringing their friend to paint because she recently lost her mother and needs a place to let loose and have a break from her grief for just one evening.  


That my friends, is why I do what I do.  That is why I keep adding to it.  We opened Escape Artists War Town last year to reach a different group of people, to provide another safe space for people to play. Adults need to play too.  And I have decided to add to it again.  Enter the Lush Art expansion, Lush Lounge.  Lush Lounge is a multi use facility that allows ideas I have had, and didn't have the right space for, to happen.  We have a comfy seating, tables and chairs, a bar.  We have board games, trivia nights, Fan nights, special guests, a book club (Club Book), Monthly Mimosas with Cara, smaller and more intimate class options, and so much more.  The Lounge is a fun relaxing space for our customers to use.  


What is my motto in 2018?  Be the 2%.