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 ...

Thank you for joining me last week on our Small Town Businesses series. Today we're talking about the thing that fuels us all: food. And festivals. Every year my town holds a street fair and BBQ cook off. Companies and individuals begin the night before smoking their hogs, some even sleeping in the street beside their smokers. Last year by 10 am all but one vendor had sold out of pork ribs already. You gotta get there early. Here is a clip of me eating my prize, grateful to have found one person remaining who still had ribs available. I look forward to more of these sticky ribs. My husband and I will be hitting the square before 10 am this year to have our pick of the best ribs of the year. Last year we enjoyed wagon rides, music and dancing, and, of course, ribs! We also made a visit to the pre-game festivities on Friday night where we watched more dancing and music. Our excitement grew as vendors set up booths and those in the hog cooking competition got r...

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...