FlaxOfLife

I was born in Point Pleasant, NJ and lived in Brick briefly and soon moved to South Amboy, NJ. In 1986 my dad accepted a job transfer to North Carolina and uprooted us in search of a better life. The cost of living in the south was significantly lower, so we immediately experienced a bump in class. We were able to afford a beautiful 5 bedroom home on the 17th tee of a golf course, which was much different than the life I once knew.
On the weekends I would set up a lemonade stand in my backyard and nearly ever golfer finishing up their round supported my small business. I’m pretty sure it was around that time I realized that my dream was to make and sell something to the public, I just didn’t know what that was yet.
Four years later, my dad accepted another transfer and we moved to Newark, DE. My days of lemonade stands were over but my desire to sell goods still remained. During college I made macrame jewelry, headbands, plant holders and even handmade clothing to sell in local shops to ‘scratch that itch.’ I was also a bartender at the Outback Steakhouse and when I graduated I found it difficult to find a job that paid more than I had been making in tips. I am pretty good at multi-tasking and thought of myself as a really good bartender. All that moving in my younger years made it easy to talk to strangers and make friends, I guess.
One of my regulars at the bar talked me into getting a job at Progressive Insurance so I applied and became a claims adjuster. I investigated auto accidents to determine fault, wrote estimates on cars and motorcycles, and handled bodily injury liability claims. Basically if my insured caused an accident, it was my job to offer the lowest $ amount possible as quickly as possible to prevent them from getting a lawyer. While many people were actually faking neck injuries, I’m sure I’ve settled dozens of claims too early that had long term issues and should’ve been worth more. Morally, I did not feel good about the work I was doing but it paid well so I stayed for a decade before finally quitting.
At that time my son, Timmy, was 5 and my daughter, Jammi, was 3 so I enjoyed a few years just being a mommy. Once they were both in school, I started bartending again to contribute and stay busy. It wasn’t the same and left me feeling unaccomplished.
Then one night I went to a friend’s baby shower. Her sister bought her a rice filled neck wrap, which was just a long sleeve filled with rice. She heated it and we were all in awe of this stress relieving gift. I thought to myself, ‘I could make this but make it smell good too’ and so it began. I started with Rosemary and Lavender as that was what I had growing in my garden at the time. Initially I was just a long tube without sections until my dad suggested I add seams to keep the filling in your neck during use. I attended a few local craft fairs, selling the rice packs and handmade picture frames and mirrors that I made with fossilized beach rocks. In 2013 opened my Etsy shop, originally known as Sharon’s Stones. The frames were heavy and expensive to ship, so that side of my business soon ended, but my neck wrap business continued to grow. I eventually added Eucalyptus & Peppermint as an option and then in 2018 I made the game changing switch from rice to flaxseed. And Flax of Life was born!
I am humbled by how far I’ve come and grateful for the support of family and friends, especially my husband Tim. It took years to build my business to where it is today and he supported me every step of the way. I honestly never expected it to thrive like this, and I am wholeheartedly fulfilled in countless ways. I am pursuing my dream, and I take so much pride in what I do. Knowing that I am offering a product that brings comfort and pain relief to others is beyond satisfying.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope it inspires you to pursue your passion! ❤️