As I sit here and review all of the blessings 2013 has bestowed upon my little business I count my clients first. You have taught me to be a better listener, that self care is very important to leading a happy life, and that wellness is a way of living in harmony with ourselves and the world around us.
Wrapping up 2013 with a beautiful bow I want to share a brief sampling of highlights from The Barefoot Dragonfly’s calendar…
January
We started the year off wonderful clients braving snow storms to get to their reflexology and aromatherapy appointments. In mid-January a lovely group of aromatherapy enthusiasts attended our Aromatic Sunshine class, exploring citrus essential oils and their therapeutic properties.
February
Was an especially snowy month for Stoneham – we had a lot of clients coming in for relief from “shovelers back.” The seed of change was planted for a relocation to Austin, Texas.
March
We kicked March off with a fun class on DIY bath bombs and shower fizzies. We also got confirmation that my husband would indeed be transferred out of state for work. In the second half of March I attended Andrea Butje’s Aromatherapy Teacher Training program in St. Petersburg, Florida at Aromahead Institute and made several new aromatherapy friends!
April
A big transition month as Brenda Jepson-Tomasi prepared to take over the lease at 370 Main Street. The outpouring of love and well-wishes from clients, business neighbors, and friends was overwhelming! We packed up our Stoneham location and hopped in the car for a L-O-N-G roadtrip with two cats, two goldfish, a snail, and some houseplants.
View of the Waiting Room at AMRC
May
Shortly after arriving in Austin I began the search for a new space to host The Barefoot Dragonfly. There were so many beautiful treatment rooms and spaces but the warmth and calm energy of Acupuncture Medical & Research Centre on Jollyville Road won me over!
June
My childhood friend took me to the Blanco Lavender Festival to experience some real Central Texas charm. Pink tractors, a variety of Lavenders, a craft fair, and sweet tea rounded out our day trip.
July
Was full of meeting new clients, making new business connections at networking events, and slipping away for knitting and scones at The Steeping Room!
August
Locals tell us August in Austin is affectionately known as purgatory month. It was too-hot-to-walk-barefoot-on-the-sidewalk hot. Clients came in to escape the heat in our cozy treatment room and enjoy cooling foot treatments featuring essential oils of peppermint and spearmint, and hydrosols of lavender and geranium. Yum!
September
The AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine hosted my Aromatherapy Germ Busters class at their beautiful space in South Austin. After gentle prodding from locals I sat down with school directors at The Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage and the Texas Healing Arts Institute to discuss the future of reflexology education in Austin. Stay tuned for even more learning opportunities in 2014!
October
One of my aromatherapy friends from Florida put me in touch with a fellow plant-lover here in Austin and we found ourselves exploring the Commons Ford Ranch with views of the Colorado River. October was rather a busy month in the blending room with aromatherapy orders.
November
We had our first real taste of autumn weather in Austin featuring cool nights and sunny days – perfect weather for hiking and exploring Austin outdoors! I worked on aromatherapy blends for clients suffering from seasonal allergies and high mold counts. We made the pilgrimage to New Mexico to be with my family for Thanksgiving, complete with 18 inches of snow!
December
I churned out Christmas aromatherapy orders in the first half of December and enjoyed hearing clients’ share their plans for holiday merrymaking. We collected donations for SafePlace and sent off our year-end charity donation check to Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.
In Closing
Thank you, dear reader, for joining me in this journey. The Barefoot Dragonfly turns ten in 2014 and I am ever so thankful for the folks who have participated in big and small ways to our success. Being part of your wellness journey is an honor and a privilege I do not take lightly.
I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful send-off to 2013. We cannot know what 2014 holds but we have the power to embrace each moment and scatter seeds of love wherever our feet may take us!
Warmly,
Amy Kreydin
The Barefoot Dragonfly
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