Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Michniak.
Hi Holly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In honor of my mother,
who loved all things wild and beautiful:)
She used to sing it all the time…
” I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills, I love the flowers, I love the daffodils, I love the fireside when all the lights are low…boomdyada, boomdyada, boomdyada, boomdyada…
That’s everything our shop is about! The love of all things beautiful …the things God gave us that, if we quiet ourselves and breathe them in, bring us back to peace. We lose them so easily in this crazy whirlwind of a life we get caught up in.
I am a teacher by trade. My small business journey started when I made my first terrarium. It was a sentimental pairing of an old antique bell jar of my papa’s and some flowers of my mother’s.
I saw a terrarium in magazine that was made with a bell jar almost identical to the one I had. It was so beautiful! I was smitten. Not just because it was so pretty, but because I was fascinated with the tiny eco-system I had created. It was a tiny world of my own… growing, changing, self-sustaining…
That’s where Boomdyada came from.
Boomdyada started in my home; Terrariums were made in a tiny shop in my basement. Jewelry made around the kitchen table. Finding little bits of nature to showcase either in a bauble or bottle or jar…I like to think that we give each one a spotlight to be seen and appreciated. when they otherwise might be completely unnoticed, or even be trodden under foot.
5 years later, I had a charmingI little storefront space of my own. I spotted it on my way home from jury duty, (some things are just meant to be) stopped to inquire, and 3 months later Boomdyada had a new home! Here we host terrarium workshops and sell earth-inspired goods. From closed terrariums (complete with specialty Isopods!), to succulent arrangements, to aquatic eco-systems, there is always something new and living to create and enjoy!
Our shop is almost 8 years old now! A second space has been added to host our large workshops. Parties, Team Building, Bachelorette parties and family celebrations are just a few of the kinds of events we host in this lovely space.
I have several online stores and a wonderful team of jewelry makers who make and ship our jewelry all over the world. The jewelry side of my business is managed by Stephanie Spahr who is one of the most gifted individuals I have ever worked with. I am so grateful. Life holds so many surprises, and this journey has been one of the best!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? Never! But fun…
The first challenge; I had no model to pattern my business after, so I had to make it up as I went along. How to host a terrarium workshop…What kind of work spaces do we need? How do we house rocks, dirt sand, driftwood…all the things…and make it look pretty? I’m pretty proud of the outcome, and it seems to be working!
2020, of course, threw a curve ball, but as I started scheduling private workshops for families and co-workers (as opposed to large workshops) during the pandemic, I saw how important it is to spend relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle with our closest friends and family. I saw that as a need that I could fill, and still schedule more private workshops than public ones.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Creativity is my strength. Whether designing custom terrariums, new plant projects for our workshops, designing jewelry, or decorating our spaces, I never run out of ideas. Thankfully!
I was a teacher by trade, and I do still love to teach, so instructing workshops is fun for me. I also love facilitating gatherings by creating a warm, relaxing atmosphere. When I see our customers connecting with each other and creating beautiful things that they are delighted with, I feel a fulfillment that makes it all worth it!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is fulfilling what I am meant to do and becoming who I am meant to be!
Pricing:
- Workshops from $30 per person
- Sterling, gold and resin jewelry, $25-$350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Boomdyada.com
- Instagram: Boomdyadaearth
- Facebook: Boomdyada
- Youtube: Boomdyada
- Other: https://Themustardseedgallery.com
