We Bought a Yogurt Shop

Remember the movie "We Bought a Zoo?"





Well, just change that title to "We Bought a Yogurt Shop" and you've pretty much got our story.

If you aren't familiar with the movie, the main character played by Matt Damon buys a house that happens to be in the middle of a wild-life park ... a zoo.  He therefore, by default, becomes the owner of the run-down zoo.  Knowing nothing about animals or how to run a zoo, the movie shows the struggles and eventual success of this man and his family.

I expect our movie will be out in less than five years.  It will show these two crazy individuals - a father / daughter team - that bought a yogurt shop in Georgetown even though they knew nothing about yogurt or business ownership.  I'm laughing as I type that right now to keep from crying because the ludicrous-y still hits me occasionally.  WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!!

Well, I'll tell you what we've done.  We've followed the Lord's lead and this is where it led ... regardless of the fact that we don't understand it completely yet.

We are pleased to announce that we are the proud new owners of Yogo Bowl in Wolf Ranch in Georgetown, Texas.

1013 W University Ave, Suite 130, Georgetown, Texas, 78628

We closed yesterday and we are still amazed at how God brought it all together.  Here we are signing the papers with the previous owner.  It's a done deal!

And this is our most valued employee!

(That's a joke for those of you that don't know us.  We are not endorsing child labor.  Not hate mail please.)

We will be posting promotions, coupons and freebies soon so please stay tuned.  We also will be publishing our website, our Facebook page and our twitter page.  (Oh I just overwhelmed myself will all that needs to be done.)

We would be BEYOND HUMBLED AND HONORED if you would come see our new Yogo Bowl and rejoice with us.  See you soon!

If You've Seen One Yogurt Shop ...

You've seen ... well .... one yogurt shop.  If there is anything I have learned in this process, it is that fro yo shops are not created equal.

If you're behind on the times, let me break it down for you.  I'm buying a yogurt shop, turning it into a health & wellness club and using it specifically for a home base for my National Lifestyle Centers business.  Obviously, that is a simplified explanation, but it's the basics.  You get the idea.

So, as we have looked and looked and researched and driven all over central Texas, I have come to realize that the style and decor of a yogurt shop is extremely important.  It's almost as important as the actual yogurt.  (More on that later.)  

For example, take a look at this well done store (and the cute little boy enjoying some yogurt):

Great colors.  Busy with lots of people.  Great use of t.v.'s on the wall.  Clean.

However, yellow isn't the only color that works.  And a topping bar isn't the only way to dispense toppings.  Take a look at this one we found in Arkansas.

Love it.  Very thought out and well designed.  ADORE the topping dispensers on the wall.

Or - you can actually make a subdued color scheme work for you as well.  We found this one in south Austin and it has an Asian inspired decor.

This one was another one that we liked with the bright red & yellow.

However, what you can't see in this picture is that the cash register is located in the wrong spot.  Everything seemed to bottleneck back at the back of the store near the restrooms.  We learned from this store that you must have the register at the front and the machines at the back.

I feel like I'm going cross-eyed after looking at so many yogurt shops.  This is only a few of the ones we have seen.  The worst part?  In order to really get a feel for each shop, you have to experience it as a customer would which means getting your favorite yogurt and piling on as many toppings as you can fit in the bowl.  Hey - it's a tough life ... somebody has to live it!

The Search is On!

I introduced you to National Lifestyle Centers back in May.  We're moving along!

We are looking to open a club in Austin and the SEARCH IS ON!

We've looked at this one ...

And this one ...

And this one ...

This one was an old vet hospital.  STANKY!!  (But it had the space we needed.)

We brainstormed and brainstormed about what to do with these animal kennels ... in a yogurt shop.

We've looked at large warehouse spaces and small bookstore places.

In short, we've looked at over 50 places.  WHEW!  Yes, it has been as exhausting as you can imagine it would be.  However, we are narrowing it down!  I hope to be blogging soon about our opening!

Until then, you can keep up with NLC through the NLC blog which I have the honor of writing for each day.

Meet A Nutritional Expert

I mentioned yesterday that we were going to spend a few days talking about health again before venturing back over into some other great perks of being a National Lifestyle Centers member.  Today I would like to introduce you to someone very special to my family.


Dr. Kyl Smith



I'll let you read Dr. Kyl's bio below to learn more about who he is, but I wanted to share with you that I had the privilege of having lunch with him just the other day and picking his brain about some things and I want to tell you this guy is incredible.  Not only does he know his stuff nutritionally, but he's a believer.  I had so many concerns about products we would use for N.L.C.'s nutritional line and whether or not (being a naturalist) I would be able to "go along" with what they would want to develop for our members.  I nearly kissed this man when he informed me that (just like me), he believes that God created food and plants to heal our bodies of sickness and disease and that He's already placed them here on Earth.  We're walking among them and yet we choose to fill our bodies with toxic medicines and foods.


Dr. Kyl wrote an incredible book called "Brighter Mind" that I would highly encourage you to run out and get today.  This is his bio from his Brighter Mind website:

"Dr. Kyl Smith---or, "Dr. Kyl," as his colleagues call him---is a pioneer in the world of natural medicine. He is a noted researcher, inventor, lecturer, and scientist, and is well-known as the inventor of the number-one bestselling brain supporting nutritional supplement in North America for the last nine years. Dr. Kyl has appeared on thousands of radio and television programs across the country in the last decade – he’s the author of the acclaimed Brighter Mind book series – and is a popular speaker providing Continuing Education programs for physicians. His passion is teaching doctors how to utilize and integrate nutritional therapies to improve cognitive function in practice based on clinical research as published in peer-reviewed literature.

Professionally, Dr. Kyl received his doctorate of Chiropractic in 1993, and he has since engaged in ongoing nutrition and natural medicine research. Most notably, in 2001---with the help of some of the top scientists in the world, including a former senior scientist for the American Medical Association---Dr. Kyl filed a 'Health Claim Petition' for Phosphatidylserine, which was approved by the FDA in 2002. It represents the first nutrient-based Qualified Health Claim for cognitive function to be approved in the FDA’s history. As a result, Dr. Kyl received the James Lind Scientific Achievement Award, which acknowledges the accomplishments of those who have contributed to the scientific advancement of natural medicine and are helping to reshape the structure of American health care.

Dr. Kyl is a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine; the American Botanical Council; the International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology; and the Vice-President of Membership for the Academy of Bio-Energetic and Integrative Medicine (A.B.E.I.M.)."

 That #1 bestselling brain supporting nutritional supplement that is mentioned above is one of the nutritional supplements we have been recommending since the very beginning.  Craig made improvements by leaps and bounds when we put him on it.  I don't know that I would classify Craig as ADD or ADHD, but it helps him.  (For legality purposes, I am not allowed to mention the name of that supplement in this particular post.  Please contact me directly for more info.)

One of Dr. Kyl's newest supplements (and the one I really want you to know about) is called Memory Works.  

    

I have been taking it since Dr. Kyl & I had lunch and I am A-M-A-Z-E-D at the results I have seen.  The best way I know how to explain it is this:  When I say "brain fog", I know you understand what I'm talking about.  It's that foggy, unclear, mush of a feeling we all have from time to time where we just can't think.  (And is it just me or does this seem to hit at the times when I need my brain to WORK the most!?!)  Well, Memory Works has done away with that for me.  I no longer have brain fog.

I love that it is yeast free, dairy free, gluten free, wheat free, free of any artificial colors, flavors, fillers sweeteners and/or preservatives.

And lest you think I am singing it's praises because this is a compensated review for Memory Works or Dr. Kyl, let me set the record straight.  I am being compensated in no way for my review of Dr Kyl, Memory Works, or Focus Factor.

In conclusion, I would encourage you to read Brighter Mind and do your brain a favor by getting started on some Focus Factor and/or some Memory Works.  And for those of you wondering if you are currently experiencing some brain fog, I have compiled a checklist for you.  (hee hee)

Don't Just Say NO!

I've spent a few days telling you about National Lifestyle Centers and the wholesale part of the business.  Now I want to spend a few days on some "health" stuff.  You know that's what I'm passionate about anyway.

My amazing fact for you today:  Did you know that deaths by overdose on painkillers now surpass deaths by overdose on cocaine & herion combined?  (reference)

That's some scary stuff right there.

When I was little, I learned about how "drugs" were bad for you and they kill ..... bla, bla. .... You got the same speeches.  You did drug week at school and learned about thugs who sell drugs and kids who try drugs at parties.  Tell me this sounds familiar.

If not, maybe this looks familiar:

(1987 campaign)

Wouldn't you love it if that was all you had to teach your kids now?

However, it's not.  Now I have to educate my kids on the dangers of overdosing on popular painkillers like hydrocodone and morphine.  (They're called opioids.)

With cocaine and heroin, you can simply tell your kids never to try them.  However, there is a good chance both of my children will need hydrocodone and/or morphine at some point in their lives.  I have.

I have a dear friend who is addicted to hydrocodone right now.  She takes about four pills a day to get through her day and I will tell you that she is one of the most mellow people I know.  If you're stressed, a day with her will do you some good because nothing can get her upset.  However, I can't help but think how many other young, suburbia moms out there are addicted to it and need it just to get through their days.

Think these problems don't exist in the "real world?"

One of my other dear friends just shared with me recently that she was drinking all day everyday just two  years ago after a life crisis in their family.  I had NO idea.

We can choose to bury our heads in the sand or we can wake up and realize that this stuff is real.  Addictions are real.  Good people fall prey to them when they start taking a seemingly harmless medicine after an injury (or after childbirth), begin using them to fall asleep at night during a stressful season of life, turn to the numbing effects when a life crisis hits thinking it'll only last a few weeks ... and countless other reasons.

Let's be aware.

Let's be aware that:

a) addictions can happen to the best of us.  And let's watch for them in ourselves, our families, and our friends.

b)  people that are addicted don't see clearly in the beginning.  You cannot convince someone with your words (most of the time) that they are addicted.

c)  our sons and daughters are being tempted with this stuff from about the age of twelve on up depending on their social circles, spheres of influence, etc...  Sit down with your kid and talk about it.  Don't make it a forbidden subject.


It's not enough to just say no.  It's not enough to just forbid it.  We've got to understand that some of the more popular drugs today are just as addicting and just as deadly when overdosed on as the "bad drugs" we learned about when we were little.  And then we've got to educate those we love.

And - if you happen to get on a "no kick" - here's some others I'd throw in there as well.  (wink, wink)  (Some might call this "not leaving well enough alone" or maybe "nagging" or even "over the top."  I've been accused of all those things before.)  (grin)

Interest Poll

Take a little look over the right.

See that poll over there?

Help a sister out and vote please!

Do it today.

Do it now.

And smile while you do it.  It makes other people think you're up to something.

Calling All Sports Enthusiasts

Let's redecorate your man cave!  

Tell me this Longhorn couch would not go PERFECT in your UT hideout?

Isn't it the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen complete with actual Longhorn emblems on the top and front?  This beauty retails for $3295.  However, National Lifestyle Centers members pay only $1944!  I'll take two please!

Or maybe your Longhorn love doesn't run as deep.  Pshaw!!!  As if.  I've never met a Longhorn fan who didn't bleed orange.  But, maybe you don't have room for a new sofa and you'd rather just add a little touch of the burnt orange to your office.  How awesome is this chair?

Not only would it match your Longhorn theme, but you can personalize it for no extra charge.  You can find these in all colors for upwards of $75 retail.  However, N.L.C. members can get this (in any color) for $63.25 and personalize it for free!

However, I don't want to leave my Aggie friends hanging.  If UT just doesn't float your boat, how about a little Aggie pride?

Every A&M fan needs one of these in his office at work!  While you can find these black, leather executive office chairs in all price ranges, you can't find too many with the A&M logo on them!  N.L.C. members can order these chairs for $179.99 (embroidery included).  (Anyone else thinking Father's Day?)

How 'bout them Bears this year?  After such a successful year (and considering I have family on staff at this university), I would be remiss without showing you a few Baylor accessories.

This recliner would make a nice addition to any Bear fan's game room.  Wouldn't it make watching the games on t.v. that much more exciting?  (wink)  These retail for over $800 with the emblem on them.  (You can usually find them for less if you don't want the collegiate emblem on the headrest.  However, we're talking sports memorabilia today - not living room furniture!)  N.L.C. members can order these brown leather recliners with their favorite sports team embroidered on the headrest for $399.  (I think your graduate needs one of these for his dorm room!)

And let's not forget your little missy or mister.  They might want to support the family team as well!  For example, my new nephew or niece that is coming in November probably needs one of these.

And for less than $100 (for N.L.C. members) with his/her name on it, who could resist?!


I know this time of year marks graduation gifts and Father's Day gifts.  Consider your shopping done!  Men, start clearing out your man cave furniture and make room for some awesome sports enthusiast furniture.  However, be forewarned ... you might get your man cave redone this month, but with her N.L.C. membership, she can redo the living room next month!  Happy shopping!

Introducing National Lifestyle Centers

I've been waiting for months to be able to tell you about my newest adventure!  I have debated about when the timing was right.  Should I wait for "this" to happen?  Should I wait until we have "that?"  However, I have decided to let you in on the journey a little early because I want you to share in the excitement with me.  I want you to be part of the "beginning", the "first", the "origin".

Last August, I told you about Dad's nutrition club that he had opened in Gonzales.  It has been so much fun to watch the growth take place.  They have around 500 club members now and they are busy, busy throughout the day making shakes.  He opened the club in July of last year and it essentially exploded.  They've had weight loss contests, been featured in the local newspaper and even attracted the attention of the local high school and now enjoy the company of a large group of students that come by for lunch each day.

It has been so much fun to watch.

However, we weren't the only ones watching.

Have you ever had one of those times when you knew beyond all shadow of a doubt that you were doing the right thing and yet it seemed everyone around you thought you were insane?  That's kind of what we did with Dad when he told us he was going to open this nutrition club.  Then, when he went and actually leased a building we really thought he was bonkers.  THEN - when he actually started painting and cleaning up the building we thought he'd lost his mind.  However, the entire time there was this sense of peace about him.  He never felt the need to justify it or explain it - he just knew what he was supposed to be doing.  (Kind of the whole faith contradicts common sense thing, you know?)  Well, across town there was a man by the name of Richard Green who was watching and waiting to see what would happen.

You see, Richard had a vision.  All of his life he has been part of the "wholesale" world.  (I grew up in church.  It's what I know.  Richard grew up in wholesale.  It's what he knows.)  He had a dream of starting his own wholesale company where people could purchase products (not just furniture, but a wide array of products) for wholesale prices instead of retail prices.  He is a brilliant businessman and had tossed the idea of a wholesale company around in his head for awhile.  However, he didn't want just "another wholesale company" out there.  He wanted something completely different - something completely new - something no one else was doing.

Thus, National Lifestyle Centers was born.

"New Ways to Live Life"

N.L.C. is based on four core areas of life:  Spiritual, Physical, Mental and Financial.  We are a wholesale buying co-op combined with a nutrition club.  What does that mean?  In the most simplistic of terms, it means we offer wholesale prices on a wide variety of products including cars, janitorial supplies, furniture, jewelry, etc... to our members while operating out of a store front offering protein shakes and soft serve yogurt (as well as other health products including vitamins, brain boosters, and herbal supplements).

Here's how it works:  Our members pay a one time fee to join N.L.C. and from then on can purchase products from companies we have already partnered with at wholesale prices instead of the retail markup.  However, the thing that sets us apart from the other wholesale clubs is that we are a dedicated team devoted to your overall well being - your health - in the four core areas of life I mentioned above.  Therefore, we operate out of a nutrition club offering people healthy protein shakes (and soft-serve yogurt) to help them lose weight, feel better and be healthier.  At night, we offer classes and seminars out of our club that focus on spiritual health, physical health, mental health and financial health bringing in experts in each of these key areas.  Our members can pick and choose which classes are of interest to them to attend.

We currently have the club in Gonzales up and functioning well as it is moving to a bigger location.  We are in the process of opening one in Arkansas and we are in the beginning stages of opening a Round Rock location as well.  We are excited!  As people come in for frozen yogurt for dessert or for a healthy breakfast shake, they can discover "new ways to live life!"

Maybe you are like me and you have always bought retail.  I mean, I love a good sale!  However, wholesale is beyond "sale."  Wholesale removes the middle man and you pay factory-direct prices.  For example, take a look at this couch:

This exact couch is sold by many different retailers.  I found it at FurnitureBuy for $775.  Then, I found it at TheFurniture.com for $1003.  Rooms & Things had it for $769.99.  However, our N.L.C. members can purchase the couch for $439.

Or maybe jewelry is your thing.

I was looking at our jewelry one day and came across this gorgeous necklace.  It's 14kt white gold with with .50 total diamond carat weight.  BEAUTIFUL!  It retails for $2000.  However, they are offering it to N.L.C. members for 50% off.  Yep, $1000.

What about large ticket items like air conditioning units for your house?  Those suckers are mega expensive! One of my friends had to purchase a new one last week.  He needed a 10 ton unit and those retail for over $4000.

Bruce got his for $2500.

Isn't this red head a cutie?

When I spoke with the dealership last, N.L.C. members were combining their membership savings with a current rebate offer and getting this Chevy Malibu for almost $4000 below MSRP.


The N.L.C. membership isn't just for individuals/families.  We currently have churches and schools looking at purchasing the membership so that they can save on janitorial supplies and furniture.  For example, these cute preschool tables are ideal for circle time with little ones.

However, these tables will run you upwards of $250 in most places.  Our N.L.C. members can get these in their choice of oak, grey, red or yellow (shown) for only $126.

And the savings for those churches and schools on janitorial supplies?  Well, just take a look at toilet paper alone.  How many rolls of toilet paper do you think a church or a school uses in a year?

For the sake of argument, let's say a church uses 1152 rolls per year.  (The picture shown above happens to be sold in packages of 96.  Let's say they use one package of 96 each month.)  The least expensive I could find this exact brand sold in units of 96 was $49.89/unit.  If they need 12 units a year, that would be almost $600 spent on toilet paper.  However, if they were an N.L.C. member, they could order these for $32.82.  In a year, they would've saved almost $200 on toilet paper alone.  Imagine if they also used their N.L.C. membership for paper towels, kleenex, napkins, and trash bags?  If they saved $200 a year on each of those products, they would have saved $1000 on janitorial products alone!  Can I get an amen from any pastors out there?!  ;)

If you have stuck with me this long, you're probably wondering what that one time fee for membership costs aren't you?  If you've done your research into other wholesale companies, you know that the big name wholesale companies will charge you a membership fee of $2200 - $5000 every two years.

For a membership into National Lifestyle Centers, you'll pay only $795 one time.  If you take a look at all of the examples I showed you above, you'll quickly see that purchasing just one item at wholesale instead of retail more than covers the cost of your N.L.C. membership!

I invite you to take a look at the N.L.C. website and explore it.  Or you can hop over to my neighbor's blog and check out my recent guest post.  I invite your questions, your ideas and your support!  Stay tuned as I keep you up to date on our progress opening the Round Rock location!

Picture of a Yankee Pitcher

Remember this kid?  The one with fire in his eyes?

The one that got into trouble anytime we went somewhere?  ("Yes, Mommy.  We're about to have Thanksgiving dinner and I've been playing in the sink.")

The one that NEVER stopped moving?

The one you didn't dare take your eyes off of for even a moment?

The one that kept us at the E.R. with his antics?  (This picture was taken after they extracted the dime from his nose.)

The one that wouldn't wear clothes?

Would you believe this is the same kid?

The kid that couldn't play organized sports.

The kid that couldn't focus long enough to stay in a game.

The kid that couldn't make friends.

Take a look at him now.

Be Back ... Later

I have debated for awhile about how to write this and what to say.  I knew that I needed to offer some sort of explanation on here about my absence and why my absence will continue.  However, trying to figure out exactly how to word that is tricky.
I will be back although I cannot tell you when.  Maybe a week ... maybe a few months.  We are still on our "diet" / lifestyle change and Craig is rocking along.  We are still discovering new things and still making progress in areas.  However, I need to set all of that down in this "public venue" for awhile. 

This isn't goodbye ... it's see you later.