Another Dream Come True
Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 07:30AM Almost 25 years ago, a dream of mine came true when Stampin’ Up! started, and now another dream is coming true, and it’s time to share it with you.
Several years ago, I went to my first Bikram yoga class, and knew almost immediately that I’d found something special—a form of exercise that was invigorating and exhausting. I loved this form of yoga and how it made me feel, and I wanted to share it with as many people as I possibly could.
At the time, the closest Bikram yoga studio was a good 30-minute drive from my home. I committed to the drive because I was committed to feeling great, but my entrepreneurial spirit kicked into gear, and I started looking at other options, ways to share Bikram with others so they could feel as great as I did AND ways to bring it closer to me.
And that’s how my newest dream started. But it didn’t stop there! Oh, no, my go-big-or-go-home mentality is alive and well, and I couldn’t stop at just a Bikram studio. If Bikram yoga was good, a salon would be even better, right? And why not add a spa? And a fitness and nutrition studio? And healthy refreshments. And. . . well, you get the picture. I wanted to create a place where everyone could come and enjoy things that would make them look and feel wonderful.
Brick Canvas at Thanksgiving Point is the end result of my dreaming, and this weekend we’ve started making it public. Brick Canvas was one of the sponsors of a Women’s Expo here in Utah County, and since we appeared on TV a couple of times, as well as on a few billboards, I figured it was time to start talking about this new project.
Brick Canvas is the name of the building, and we’re at Thanksgiving Point, the perfect location for what we offer. In addition to Bikram yoga, inside Brick Canvas you’ll find all kinds of wonderful ways to help you become the best you. For years, I’ve traveled over one hour (one way!) every month to get my hair done at an amazing salon in Layton; now that salon, Vivesque, is opening up a second location at Brick Canvas. Lyceum is a TRX fitness and nutrition studio, and Sage Leaf Spa is a full-service spa. (And soon, Brick Canvas will also house Fraiche, a nutritious smoothie and light fare cafe, and the Loft, open space available for all sorts of different gatherings.)
Each of these entities was involved in the expo this weekend at some level. Vivesque hosted a fashion show.
Sage Leaf Spa provided foot massages (Sterling was one of the massage therapists; he’ll be working part-time at the spa.)
And Lyceum and Bikram yoga staff were on hand to talk about the amazing classes and services they offer as well.
So, that’s what has been occupying a lot of my spare time the past couple of years! It’s been a fun, hectic, exciting time, and I’ve enjoyed almost every minute! Several of the Gardner grown-ups have been involved in one way or another, with Jason actually working as the manager of the entire project and Shalae as interior decorator. . .couldn’t have done it without them!
And one thing I want to hasten to add. . . .while this has been a pretty time-intensive project, I want my Stampin’ Up! family to know I’m not forgetting about them. Brick Canvas is a very fun, rewarding project, but my heart still belongs to Stampin’ Up! and always will! You can love two things at the same time, you know. Ask any mother who has two—or more—children!
I’m sure I’ll be sharing more Brick Canvas happenings in the weeks and months to come, along with Stampin’ Up! news and Gardner family events and. . .well, I can almost always find something going on that’s worth sharing!
Reader Comments (21)
Best wishes!
Amazing, rewarding, thrilling, exhausting, exhilirating, should I go on? All rolled into a couple of years of wonder accomplishment.
Congratulations on your new baby. Did anyone think to throw your a shower?
Rae in Reno
Best of luck!!
p.s. The website looks amazing! Wish I lived close by to experience Brick Canvas in person.
It has been so long that I just took the time to look at your blog and all the other wonderful things our great Stampin' Up! site has to offer. I was so curious about Brick Canvas that I came back to this point. I am so tickled to see this beautiful dream come true.
I have to admit though, after having the opportunity to share a bit of massage therapy with Sterling in San Antonio earlier this year it tickles me to see that he will be doing massage part time at the spa! Massage therapy is my first passion and it always blesses me to know my hands are being used to serve our Lord!
Congratulations on this great accomplishment!
Joni <><