Not saying goodbye

I LOVE this company, the people
 I've met, and the things I've
been able to do since starting it!

I love Hire A Housewife. I love what we do and what God has done through this company. I am proud of all the hard work I've done over the years to turn it into a company with a higher purpose. We don't just clean your house, we help take care of your family and bring joy into your home. We don't just employ people. We offer flexible, part-time jobs at a living wage to people who understand our mission and care about our clients. I love our clients and our employees.

When I started this, I was just trying to survive. The kids and I had already been homeless for almost two months and I didn't know what I was going to do. By the time I needed to hire help, we were in an apartment again, but there have been some major ups and downs in the last six years. I am so proud of what has come out of all of this!

Late last year I came to the realization that what really drives me is creating. I loved the creating of Hire A Housewife and all that I've learned from it. I've also created a second business, Peoria Music Live, and I'm learning from that one as well. In order to make that into the company that I know it can be, and open up my time for other opportunities to create as well, I have to step back from the daily operations of HAH.

Believe me, I was just as shocked as you are right now when I realized I am not Super Woman and my time and energy are not infinite!

I'm not saying goodbye by any means, just taking a step back from this so that I can take a step into other things. My story is still just getting started, as is the story of Hire A Housewife. I'll try to keep everyone updated on both because you haven't seen anything yet!

Over the course of the next month, Teresa Noe will be stepping into my place as Operations Manager of Hire A Housewife. I still own the company and will make sure it is run the way I want it to be run, with the same values, care, and customer service we've come to be known for.

I asked her to write a short introduction... 

 

Hello everyone! My name is Teresa Johnson-Noe.

I am 47 years old, happily married, and have two children- my daughter, Megan and my son, Logan.

Megan is married to Matthew and has a daughter of her own, my pride and joy granddaughter Roxanne. I don't see nearly enough of them, sadly, as they live in sunny Florida!

My son is a Junior at Pekin Community High School and plays football as a varsity linebacker and Wrestles Heavyweight Varsity.

I have a few hobbies, I write a blog of my own and submit editorial pieces to a few other local online and print magazines. I also paint, draw and create what some might call art. I call it doodling, but to each his or her own, as they say.

My husband and I are heavily involved in the Central Illinois music scene, and he plays guitar, bass guitar and sings in two local bands, he is also an accredited chef for a local restaurant in Peoria. In the past he has owned Dominic's Italian Eatery in the Metro Center, and together we owned and operated Beignet's on the Corner (a Cajun and Creole Cafe) in downtown Peoria.

I am also an assistant coach/director for the Speech team at Washington Community High School.

Together, we are a pretty diverse family but love all of the creative stuff. We also love our Sunday football and playing disc golf when we can get out.

There's more to tell you, but I look forward to getting to know each of you personally so we have lots to talk about when we meet.

I'm excited for the new opportunity at Hire A Housewife and can't wait to meet you all face to face.

Sincerely.
Teresa
(My friends call me- "T", or "Mama T"...don't be afraid to do so as well.)

I Believe in Peoria

As the area received news this week that Caterpillar is moving their corporate headquarters out of Peoria, the anger and frustration was palpable. I'll admit, even I groaned at the thought of Peoria losing 300 of it's most highly paid workers. 

Then I remembered... so what?
CAT isn't my provider. It isn't yours either (and never was).

God doesn't need CAT to prosper us... just because that's one of the resources He's used so far, that doesn't mean we can't live without it. Peoria doesn't have to be the next Detroit.

This morning I represented Hire A Housewife in a room filled with 30 successful small business owners as part of I've Decided (IveDecided.org). We sat in a huge circle and talked about who we are and what we do before discussing what we are doing to be community difference makers. And that's when I realized what people in Peoria and surrounding areas need to see. Part of the reason Peoria will succeed is sitting right here in this room with me! We are Peoria.

Individually, we are the small business owners who pour our blood, sweat, and tears into our ventures, often putting our core values ahead of our bottom line because we want to make a difference. We have vision, passion, and are constantly striving for excellence in what we do... not just to be the best small business, but in order to be here for our clients and our community for a very long time.

Together, we are the small business community, a tightly woven network of dedicated entrepreneurs and business owners who work together, building each other up and holding each other accountable, as well as teaching and learning from one another, creating an unbreakable foundation of support for this area.

The astounding thing is that these 30 people from I've Decided are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amazing framework of business and leadership we have in Peoria. There are so many other great individuals, businesses, and networks intent on improving and sustaining Peoria for the future.

Remember, I said they are part of the reason that Peoria will thrive. Peoria is more than just them. And, while it is true that we also have our government, our leaders, and our other corporate entities, they are not all that make up Peoria either. I'm talking about you.

You are Peoria. 

It doesn't matter where you live in the Greater Peoria Area. It doesn't matter what you do for a living. It doesn't matter what your political or religious beliefs are.

You are Peoria.

I know what you are thinking...

"But I'm just one person. How can I help keep Peoria alive?"

First, when someone says something about the death of Peoria to you... you can speak life! Know that it doesn't have to be that way. Know that there is a foundation of entrepreneurship and small business in Peoria that is still strong. Remind them of that. We have the power of life and death in our tongues! Choose your words wisely.

Second, support Peoria purposefully. If you believe in Peoria and the surrounding communities, spend your money here! Amazon may be quick and easy, but it doesn't employ your next door neighbor. Netflix doesn't send volunteers to your child's school. VistaPrint didn't donate to your friend's fundraiser last year.

Third, refuse to be a victim. Stop focusing on what has been done to you and what might happen in the future. Focus on what you can do today to make life better... for you and for the rest of Peoria. When you accept that you have the ability to create change, you open up a whole new world to yourself.

We have the ability to dust ourselves off and keep moving forward, despite the naysayers.

So, what am I saying when I say that I believe in Peoria?

I'm saying you are Peoria.

I'm saying I believe in YOU.

Peoria, you can do this.

#IBelieveInPeoria

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 18:21