Artful Balance: Single Working Mother of Three Combines Love of Art with Business

A purple thumb print sealed the deal, equally Sue Walia celebrated 10 years at the captain of Abrakadoodle-Northern Virginia by signing up for another decade of franchise ownership. It's not surprise that the contract signing was every bit unique, colorful and creative as the franchise company and its owner/partners whom proudly represent the brand.

Sue Walia (left) and Rosemarie Hartnett execute Sue's contract renewal with a purple thumbprint.

"This is what I e'er wanted to exercise," Sue explained, which goes all the manner back to high school, where she was known as the "fine art girl." She grew up in a family unit that valued art and music. Built-in in Southward Dakota, Sue attributes her strong piece of work ethic to her childhood spent as a farmer's daughter. Her family unit moved to Southwest Virginia during her high school years. Sue graduated from Radford University, where she majored in Fashion Design and moved to Northern Virginia in her twenties. She spent 13 years working in the Investment Brokerage business, where she learned sales, marketing and money management skills.

Sue with her immature children in her early days with Abrakadoodle

Sue sat next to Mary Rogers, Abrakadoodle'south co-founder and CEO at a Reston Bedchamber of Commerce networking event. Abrakadoodle was so a part of Reston's business concern incubator program. She recalls her desire to explore Abrakadoodle for possible art enrichment for her kids. What she discovered was a business opportunity that combined her dearest of fine art with her business organization savvy, and she was hooked. Sue'south kids were so two, 4 and 5 years old, and she faced a crumbling marriage and concerned family and friends. For reasons she still appreciates, Sue moved forward with her franchise purchase in 2004. "With three little children, I actually wanted a home-based business organisation," Sue offered.

Sue took on the daunting challenge of growing a new business organization while finalizing a divorce and raising three immature children. "I had to make money to live," Sue said. "I was stock daughter one minute and CEO the next." Sue's three children Briana (now 12), Tristan (now 14) and Marissa (at present 15) grew upwards with the franchise. Tristan was one of the early faces of Abrakadoodle, having taken part in a photograph shoot at age five. Marissa has been a camp assistant, and all of Sue'south kids have helped with aspects of the business ranging from sorting art supplies to filling in participant spots in classes as Sue was edifice her program. She characterizes all of her children as creative and has always ensured that they could pursue a myriad of interests from youth choir and fencing to guitar, ballet, volleyball and even Parkour natural motility training. She recollects making appointments and doing business from her mobile phone, as she dropped off or picked up her kids from their many activities.

Sue and her kids value family time at the embankment.

In the beginning, Sue stored everything in her business firm, which got pretty crazy when she stocked items for the enormous number of art camps and programs she delivered at sites all over Northern Virginia. Sue now leases space that provides her room for staff meetings and preparation, birthday parties, as well every bit storage.

From the get-go, Sue has been an outstanding performer at Abrakadoodle, earning almanac awards from 2007 through 2014. "Sue is a natural human relationship-architect," stated Rosemarie Hartnett, Co-founder and President of Abrakadoodle. "Her ability to develop a capable instructional team in addition to her superior networking skills has certainly contributed to her success." Sue has been a regular on the company's Top Producer'due south List, where her performance has consistently ranked amid the best in Abrakadoodle's arrangement from 2009 to 2014. Her achievements include numerous "WOW" splendid ratings among site administrators and parents surveyed nigh their respective experiences with Abrakadoodle.  Sue has also been recognized with such honors as the company'southward Splat and Purple Tree Awards, and this twelvemonth Sue was recognized by her peers with the 2014 Mentor Award.

"I've worked difficult," Sue said. "I am still enjoying my Abrakadoodle business and still need the flexibility to raise my kids." She finds many aspects of the business rewarding, such as seeing what kids practice with concepts presented in class. "Hugs are definitely cool, likewise," Sue added. She said that information technology is fun when her kids tell her that their friends have participated in Abrakadoodle programs. "I feel like I've touched lives."

Sue not only continues to savour creating art, but she also loves to sing. Her mom was a violinist and directed a church building choir. After losing her mom to Lou Gehrig's disease, Sue joined a gospel choir every bit a tribute to her mom. Most recently, Sue started singing with a band four years ago. She said they produce a CD every year and perform benefit concerts, with the band raising as much as $75,000 in their all-time year for worthwhile charities.

Abrakadoodle is woven into the tapestry of Sue'southward life, enabling her to alive a life rich with experiences. While she describes her Falls Church, Virginia house equally a minor Cape Cod that needs piece of work, Sue enjoys her active children, an annual beach trip and a rewarding franchise business that improves lives with art.

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Source: https://www.abrakadoodle.com/blog/artful-balance-single-working-mother-three-combines-love-art-business/

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