Book Talk with Rebecca Rivera

Stephaine Graham, owner of The Detox Bar in Clinton, NC I met Stephaine by chance at my yard sale where I was selling all my furniture in preparation to move. I’d recently been working on content to revive my blog, and here comes Stephaine Graham, the owner of The Detox Bar - Wellness and Beauty Center in the historical downtown square in Clinton, NC. Stephaine sells her own blend of flavored detox teas, medical grade sculpting garments and has created a community in Clinton around weight loss and detoxing, bringing a change to the waistline that puts a smile on your face. Now and then I interview a local business owner to share their story about how they started their business. Business and writing both require creativity and initiative; both take courage. We can always use another inspiring story to help pull us toward our goals. Here's Stephaine's story: Stephaine at 291 lbs. and Stephaine today Stephaine had always been overweight, but when she turned 32, she got her first ...

I'd like to introduce you to our last featured small town shop. Twenty-three-year-old Dana Harn is the daughter of Deborah Harn, the owner of yesterday's featured shop, Vance Street Market Flower Shop. Dana will be opening Southern Roots Florist, Gifts and Event Rentals on Front Street in Warsaw this month. Like her mother, Dana, too, wanted to run her own business. Because of the help of dear friend and stellar designer, Stacey McNeil, Dana was able to quit her job in Maryland and return to North Carolina to begin work on opening a florist shop. Creativity: Though Stacey will be in charge of design at the new location, Dana is also discovering a talent for creating floral and decorative arrangements. Dana finds inspiration from the creativity of others and discovering new things. "It helps me expand my own creativity and develop my style. I end up loving things I would not have otherwise thought of." Dana is drawn to decorative items that lend themselves wel...

Meet Deborah Harn, owner of Vance Street Market Flower Shoppe on the square in Clinton. Deborah's shop is a full service florist shop, offering a unique style inspired by Deborah's love of nature. Deborah creates wreaths and arrangements for every occasion: birthdays, anniversaries and parties of every kind. She also serves local brides, creating bouquets, centerpieces and flower arrangements for their weddings. Deborah also offers unique home decor options. Creativity: Deborah opened Vance Street Market Flower Shoppe in October 2014. She had dreamed of owning her own florist shop all her life. For years she worked in a variety of jobs, including florist shops. Finally, four years ago she realized, "I'm not getting any younger. If I don't do it now, I'll never do it," and she finally opened her own shop. She fills her space with pieces that appeal to her, woodsy branches, greenery and figurines reflecting a woodland appeal. "I see...

Today I'd like to introduce you to Deborah Thompson. She owns a shop, also on the square in Clinton, called Simply NC. Each of her products have been made in North Carolina or feature North Carolina. Deborah's goal is to have at least one product from each of the 100 counties in North Carolina.  Deborah's shop is a gift store and a coffee shop. My favorite part of the store is the coffee shop. Comfortable seating surrounds a fireplace where customers can sip on coffee drinks made with beans roasted in North Carolina or indulge in unique ice cream flavors like Campfire Delight made in our city's capital, Raleigh. Deborah also sells made-to-order gift baskets that can be filled with a variety of items such as homemade jams and jellies, muscadine juice made from her own vineyard, Crooked Run Vineyards; and a variety of crackers, nuts, dip mixes, handmade soaps, pottery and novelty items like these cute tooth savers. Deborah opened Simp...