Where are you from and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to the area?
I am originally from a small town in south Georgia. A horse trainer by trade, I was drawn to the area to work at Messenger Hill Farm, the premier hunter/jumper barn in the area to be the director of their lesson program three years ago now. (How time flies!)
Do you have child(ren)? Age(s)
I don’t, but I spend most of my day sharing my love of horses with other people’s children. Horses are the best at teaching kids how to be awesome adults! They get to learn how to negotiate with 1000lb animals who don’t speak English, how to work for something you want, how to take criticism….the life lessons are endless!
What are your favorite things to do in the area?
My dog Leroy and I love to visit all of the off-leash dog parks in the area to throw the ball and make new friends and spend Friday evenings with dinner at Park Street in Mundelein (our favorite restaurant) where the local coffee shop often hosts open mic nights!
Can you share your TOP 5 favorite local businesses? It could be stores that you frequent for clothes, home decor, healthcare, fitness, wellness, beauty salons or spas, or family resources (photographer, financial advisor, lawyer)… We love supporting local.
- Leroy’s vet is Vernon Hills Animal Hospital. He’s a very anxious dog, yet he gets the tail wags when we pull into the vet’s office. I’ve never had a vet that goes so far out of their way (the staff too!) to make sure that we are comfortable and happy.
- I’ve been going to Vogue Nails to get my nails done for about a year now. I’m busy! And my biggest irritation is when I make an appointment and then still have to wait 20 minutes. This has NEVER happened here.
- Rosie Hunter is a hair and make-up artist that several of my clients have worked with. I tried to work with her recently. She wasn’t able to make my schedule work for her but went completely out of her way to find someone who could. I appreciated that help more than she knows.
- I buy all of my flowers from Debbie’s Floral Shoppe. The owner is one of the kindest humans I’ve ever met. It’s easy to want to support business owners who go above and beyond.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor or in the corporate world?
In addition to my work on the farm, I am a personal branding strategist. I help service-based entrepreneurs to develop a clear message and to project it in a way that their ideal client can hear them! I LOVE helping my clients to be seen, heard, and to get more leads.
Visit my website to learn more about Lindsey Oaks Personal Branding!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Getting to know other ladies in business that have ideas and a growth mindset has given me the encouragement to voice my own ideas! It’s inspiring to see women build each other up!
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I ALWAYS have a camera with me! My personal branding business actually started with branding photography and grew into websites, social media management, and more just by running around with my camera.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another Mom?
One of my dearest friends told me that I can have everything that I want in life, just not all at the same time. As a person who tends to take on everything that I want right now, remembering that there is a season in life for everything has helped me to stay grounded and not get ahead of myself when I see opportunities everywhere.
Are you involved in any volunteering or philanthropy? Do you have a favorite local non-profit or charity?
I enjoyed volunteering on the Mundelein Art Commission last year. Their work to bring artistic opportunities to the children of the Mundelein Area always gets my creative juices flowing!
What are your favorite places to travel near and far and why?
I love to be anywhere near the mountains. This summer I explored the national parks in Washington (near Seattle) and had a blast hiking through the mountain ranges there. I came home with entirely too many photos!
Which podcasts and/or TED Talks inspire you the most?
I’ve been really hooked on the Ashes to Wings Podcast lately. It’s led by embodiment coach Jenni O’Connor, who runs a Pole Dancing Studio in Schaumburg. Her one-minute tips are perfect for busy days when we need to slow down and take a moment to connect with ourselves before rushing off to care for everyone else!
Tell me about your favorite books. I love receiving fiction and non-fiction recommendations!
Oh man, I LOVE audiobooks. My most recent listens:
- Greenlights by Mathew McConaughey
- A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
- The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
What is your favorite thing about the Libertyville Area Moms Network?
Because I haven’t been here very long, I don’t know a lot of the local businesses. I really enjoy learning about everyone’s businesses through Instagram posts!
What is next for you?
I’m looking forward to fall-themed photoshoots for my branding clients in the coming weeks. I love taking advantage of the colorful leaves, sweaters, and scarves as props!
*This post was sponsored by Lindsey Oaks Personal Branding