No one has it all figured out. No one. Regardless of what we may think. Like, even the people that are ahead are ahead of you, and you may think that they have it all figured out and they're and they've been thriving and they just have a great family. Like, everyone's figuring it out on a day to day basis.

Yeah. Welcome to the Few Hunt Show.

What's going on, Eagles? Welcome to the Fuel Hunt Show. I am sitting here with my cousin Joey and our friend and mother, entrepreneur, and owner of Meraki Markets and, Mad Makeup. That's how you say it. So is there anything you don't do that you want to

Sleep. Okay.

And we're gonna talk a little bit about her journey and entrepreneurship, motherhood, etcetera, all the things we're talking about before we went live, health, fitness. Charlotte will

come in. Yep. Yep.

Cool. Thanks for having me. It's an honor, and I'm super humbled. I appreciate it.

It's been a long time. We've been friends for a while now. Been a customer, if you want, and we've been grateful enough just to be with you align with you on the journey. Thank you. Can you to get us started, can you take us through a little bit of the beginnings of Madison Ramirez and where you grew up and how you kind of became the person you are today?

Yeah. I had a really just, like, working class family. I grew up in Marlton. We were poor in Marlton. We weren't poor, but, you know, Marlton has, like, this rich, we weren't that.

My parents always worked hard, and I was, like, thinking about that a lot is I don't know what made my brother and I become the people that we are today and, like, have this work ethic because I feel like a lot of, people today don't. And I really wanna figure out whatever the hell it was and make sure I instill that in my son. I'm always gonna hustle. I started working when I was 15, but my family is close knit family. And I've always just wanted more, and I've always went out and got it.

Yeah. But yeah.

It's funny that you say that you wanted to think about how you are gonna instill that into your kids or your son. And I that's something I find a lot of us the few are doing. It's like we're like, okay. We have this bug. How do I make sure or Mhmm.

This mindset, this work ethic, how do I make sure my kin or my offspring, like, also has that same

like, what drives us to be

that way? Like, I mean, what do you think?

I mean, I think we just operate with a high level of intention. That's what it is. You know? We're curious. I I say this all the time.

Like, I'm a curious person. I'm a curious person, but I think most of the few are, they're curious why they either have what they have or why they don't have what they want. And they're curious enough to say, okay. Whatever I'm gonna do next, whether it's raise my children, make this move in business, they're gonna do it with intention. You know what I mean?

But at what point is for everyone like you said, like, you have that work ethic. Like, that switch has to flip at some point, right, where you're like, I'm gonna fucking work for what I want.

Well, your parent you said your parents were hardworking Yeah. Right up. Right? I think a lot of lessons, like, you know, they're caught and not taught. Yeah.

Mhmm. Right? So

that's what

I'm That's,

you know That's what I make a point to be, like, for my son is I'm gonna lead by example and

show him.

Like, it's hard to be when my wife or also an entrepreneur and myself are working constantly and working out and living a healthy life. Like, he's it's gonna be hard for him to be a piece of shit. Yeah. For lack of a better word. Like Yes.

Well, we're tribal we're tribal creatures. Yeah. We're tribal creatures. I mean, like, the last thing we wanna do is be I think you'd kick Parker out on the curb, but the last thing that we wanna be takes. Yeah.

Yeah.

I think my mom here for

a long time. I think

my mom would have kicked me out on the curb for, like, a lot less

Oh, way less.

A lot of other people put up with.

I almost got yeah. Yeah. I'm Like,

I was definitely threatened as of first.

I was threatened multiple times. I was still I was a straight a student. I was still threatened. But I think that, like, the last thing you wanna be is ostracized from the tribe. Right?

So like you said, he's gonna have a real hard time. He wants to model. Like, that's how we build as humans.

Yep.

You know? So he's gonna have a real hard time being the opposite.

So you've always worked for what you want. Did you was that throughout, like, high school and, like, grades and academics or, like, sports? Or did you go to college? Or

Money.

It's always money. Yeah. So you're always hustling.

Which I've evolved from, for sure. But I was my brain just never worked the way that everyone else's did, and I'm fortunate that my parents were this is, like, not maybe great, but

they were like, d's get degrees. Just, like, get, like, pass.

So I know you're smart.

Heard c's.

D's get degrees.

D's old school.

I did go to college. I went to fashion school actually for Okay. A year, and then I went to Rutgers Camden for a year, and I was like, I fucking hate this. Yeah. I my brain does not work this way.

I could also tell you everything about, like, this test, and then the test is in front of me, and it's not. Yeah. Like but that's my superpower now as I get to my brain. The way my brain works, I've created this whole other thing because of the way that my brain works.

Yeah. For sure. Well, the What so, what was your first job? You said you started working at

15. Where was your first?

I bussed tables at a restaurant.

K.

Yeah.

And there's not like, you were like, ah, you know, money, but I've grown since then, of course. Right? But, like, there's nothing wrong with being money motivated. There's not that. I think most people start there, and then they realize that, like, you know, it's not all about the money.

Money is a tool for other things. It's a tool. You yeah. But you

need it. And, like, having an abundant amount of money allows you to do other things easily.

A 100%.

I'm not sorry for wanting money anymore, but I just, like that's definitely not what motivates me. It's like a a means to an end. It's necessary.

I was just having this conversation, late night late night coaching call 2 nights ago. And I said, yeah. Like, you know, I heard kind of the same thing about, like, money motivation. I was like, yeah. Like, it's not gonna make you happy, but it's gonna solve a hell of a lot of problems.

100%. Yeah. You know what I mean? So nothing wrong with being money motivated, especially early in your journey.

I agree. I agree. Was that where did your fur if if your first business was Meraki, then we'll pause there. But was there an early business, like, in high school, college, or that you were, like, hustling?

I remember doing our senior shirts. I'm, like, slinging the shirts, and they were, like, $6, and I was like, I'm a charge

I'm a

charge 20. And it paid for my prom house because I was like, this is annoying. This is a hassle. I'm the one doing the work and, like, all this stuff. And I remember my dad was like, hell, yeah.

And I was like, he was going to my prom house.

You know, it's funny when you I did some things like that also. But when at that age when the chill or your friends are ignorant to it, you're like, oh, you're ripping us off.

Like Yeah. No.

Like, no.

I'm doing the work. Yeah.

Yeah. Exactly.

I deserve it. Like Is

my time free? Yeah. Do you know what I mean?

You don't think that that way. Oh, I know. I would never tell anybody they were 6 dollars.

Well, all your high school friends are like, damn. Like, what's the difference?

That's a respectable markup, by the way. That's, like, a solid mark.

Solid margins. I knew from day 1, you know.

My my first household experience, I was in 3rd grade, and we had a candy store around the corner from Saint Cecilia. It's called Vogue's Candy Store. And I I don't know if it's still there. I don't think it is. But it was an amazing place.

Glass case, like a jewelry shop Mhmm. Put all candy in there. And you went and you picked the candy from the glass case

Yeah.

And then she went and picked it from the back and made you a little bag. So I used to be the runner in the morning because I was up early and at school early. Yeah. So the kids used to and it was like penny candy.

Yeah.

That's how that's all it is. Yeah. So they used to give me, like, dimes, nickels, stuff like that. Yeah. And I used to get all the bags.

And I was so foolish. I was like, well, as long as it pays for my candy Yeah. Then I'm good here. Yeah. I should have been cracking up,

marking it up.

I should

have been

marking it up.

If we're gonna go with our first business ventures, mine was my my dad was actually my first rest rest in peace. My first investor. He bought me my first keg.

Oh, man.

Jeez.

I would sell the Sound cops.

Yeah. Sound cops. Didn't drink at the

kegs because I was all about just

the Getting them bread. The money

and, like, that's it kept rolling over.

I feel like you you start moving from cups to plants to things. Yeah. Yeah. The risk. There's, like, animal issues.

On the on the keg business venture, which is

not Yeah. It's not there, dude. It's not there.

The anxiety is on a different level. Like, you're already running any minute. So

so funny.

When does Meraki comes first with the or the Mad Men?

Mad Men? That.

Okay.

So I went to fashion school for a year, and that actually plays into Meraki. I'm kinda, like, talk before the podcast started, but I was, like, living in New York. I swore I was gonna live there forever. I wanted to do fashion marketing. Anyway, I immediately hated it, but I'm stubborn.

And I was like I remember telling my mom. Like, she came up to visit me for the first time, and I was like, I have to tell you something. And she tells the story, and she was like, I thought something happened to you. Like, I was so scared. And I was like, I hate it here.

And she's like, let's go. Let's pack yourself. Let's go. And I was like, no. I have to stay for a year.

And she's like, what a fucking waste of money. Like, I was like, I have to stay. I have to stay for a year. So I did, and then I was like, I'm gonna go to just Rutgers Camden. I'll get my business degree.

And I was like, I hate this so much. And my dad, my mom, like, worked in the salon, and my dad was like, you've always been creative. You've always, like, messed around with makeup. Why don't you go get your aesthetician license and do that? So I did.

And it's so funny because I always forget that man makeup is even a business just because it's not that I've stepped away from it, but it's just kinda, like, running itself and you guys know when you have, like, a team or there's product that needs to come out. It's just, like, totally different.

Yeah.

It definitely supplements, and I love having it, but just kind of, like, runs itself. I say no to the jobs now, which is

Oh, so you don't even do the makeup yourself?

I do. I do. But I just, like if it feels good, like, what's my time worth? If I'm gonna, like, lose a weekend day, is it worth me being away from my son? You know what I mean?

Like That's

Yeah.

K. When you start realizing and this goes back to the t shirt conversation. Like like, when you start realizing your time is more valuable than just saying yes to something and you learn to actually say no, you actually unlock a new a new level of life, I think. So your full focus is on motherhood right now, and does the business are kinda operating by themselves? Or,

Motherhood first always

Yeah.

Yeah. Which I actually surprised me. I didn't think I would be that way, and that's just keeping it real.

Mhmm.

But Meraki is my first baby.

Yeah.

And I'll have it forever, and I work so hard at that. And that is truly, like, a 247 job.

It's so funny. We it just shows how aligned we are on on the journey, but we were just talking about one on our last episode about college, about how it's just overrated at this point.

Is. Yeah.

And also how when you're on the entrepreneurial journey, it's it's not a work life balance to work life mix. Like and I see you posting, like like, your family is a part of all of your business ventures. Right? Like, it's always the 3 of you there, not just you.

Yeah. My mom and I own Meraki together too.

That's I don't even know that. That's cool.

Yeah. So when you're talking about your time at Rutgers Camden, right, and you said, like, I hate this. It's not for me. What was it? Was it the too much theory, not enough practice?

Like, was it not real world enough for you? Like, what was it?

Yeah. When the fuck am I gonna use this? Like, when am I gonna use this? You're showing me this power point. Like, can we go outside and, like, talk about it or something?

And I don't even remember what class, like, classes I took, but it just felt so disconnected, and it felt really expensive. Like, I had to pay for my I'm still paying for that. You know? K. Freaking 31, still paying for the 2 years of college.

Yep. And I just hated it, and I don't do well-being forced to be anywhere. Mhmm. And I'm really fortunate that I had a supportive family who was like, okay. Then leave.

You got they were like, you gotta do something. Like, we're not doing a rash deal or whatever. Like, you gotta do something, but, yeah, I just everything inside of me just was screaming that I did not wanna be there.

Yeah. No. I I get that. I get that. We had this conversation.

We filmed the episode a little while ago and a similar conversation for me. Like, I wanted it over fast, and I wanted it to be cheap. Yeah. How much that is? And I just I just it was too much theory for me, and I love to learn.

Yeah. You too. Love to learn, but I just felt inside of me that I should be out doing. You know what I mean? Not that I knew everything or that I had learned enough, but I kinda wanted to do both.

I wanted to, like, learn and do. And just sitting there and learning perpetually, it it, like, rattled my bones.

Yeah. Sitting. I don't think we're made that way, and we kinda touched on this too. Like, I want to my whole family is like, Jesus Christ, Madison. But, like, have you heard of nature school?

Mhmm.

I want my son to be in nature school for the 1st couple years, and that's outside. Rain, sun, like, snow, everything outside.

The again. The only thing that'll make it better is no jackets.

Yeah. You have to be cold.

But, again, shows how aligned we are, but I've my wife and I have one false move against pull pulling our son out and homeschooling. It's like Yeah. I'm waiting for the day, like, some crazy political shit. Like, it comes home. It's like my my

mom my teacher told me I could be a girl or something like that. Yeah.

Yeah. Like, this one, again, might be ruffling feathers, but then I'm like, I wear out. You know what I mean?

Yeah. Yeah.

Homeschooling. But, like, that's the kind of thing, like, Montessori schools, like, those sort of things. Like Mhmm. We've actually gone away from doing things that are more natural and more actually developmental and fallen into this academic way of learning.

Mhmm.

And it, in my opinion, has regressed things and

Yeah.

Made us more, I I would say, comfortable with just being I I told my son all the time, like, oh, you're kind of have have a lot of similarities like prison.

You know

what I mean? Like, you're going on a bus to a school to a box that looks like a cell.

It's to teach you to be obedient.

And you're getting 15 minutes outside a day. Like, it's just crazy. Yeah. Like like

I'll never forget. Well, I had a professor when I was in school in college, and it was the first time I heard real world problem.

Yeah.

Right? So, like, she was teaching and she was like, okay. Like, this is how it would apply to a real world problem. And she painted a picture because she had worked in corporate before. So she painted a picture.

She was like, oh, yeah. One time I was working for a company. We had this database and it crashed because the index isn't also and this is how we solved it. And I was like, wait a second.

Yeah. Like This isn't the real world?

I'm like, wait a second. You know what I mean? I'm being prepared for a career for 4 years straight with no practice. Yeah. Homework, but it's not real world problems.

It's stuff from the book, you know. So that's where I like, my bones were just rattling. And I was like, how do I get this over with? Did you finish? I did finish it.

For you. I told the story that I, yeah, I tried to drop out. My mom kicked my ass. So it's

like, no. Yeah. Mhmm. But there's there's goodness in that too because before I kinda, like, landed on my feet, I remember being, like, if I just had this stupid fucking piece of paper, like

Yeah.

Everything would be easier.

Yeah. I

mean, that's not my journey. But yeah.

Well, realistically, like, that's not even true. Like, you

know what I mean?

Like, it

might

have been easier to get a job Right. But not to be the person that you are today or that you wanted to. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

So you you have some

Can we can you tell the community a little bit about your businesses? So we

That's what I was going.

Okay. Yeah. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

Sorry.

Well, I bet.

Let's Look. I've been fired, and I need to embrace it. Like, this is 2 episodes in a row now. They're, like, you're the MC. I've been fired, and I need to just stop.

So I was gonna we need to go we need to go into, this the origin of man makeup and then how that turned into Meraki market, and then we get the

Let's do it.

Yeah. Okay.

Let's do it.

Alright. So how did you decide? Like, when were you like, oh, I'm doing man makeup. Like, this?

So, I got my aesthetician license. I was working in a salon. I was like, fuck this. Yeah. But I don't wanna do this either.

So I took a job, a soul crushing job in a mortgage company, and I worked 4 days, 40 hour days. So 4

Yeah. Four tens.

4 tens. So I had off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so I could, like, blow this makeup business up. So I was working, like, 7 days a week doing shit for free, like, whatever it took, and I did. And this, like, directly kinda goes into the birth of Meraki. I don't know how many years I was, like, into that, but my grandmother, my mom, like, my favorite person ever, got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

And, my mom, like, immediately after, got laid off from her job, and my dad was like, listen. Just we'll figure it out. Go be with your mom, whatever this is. We're fortunate we got 8 months with her. And when she passed, my well, 2 things happened that kind of, like, birthed Meraki.

1, I remember being like, this is the worst fucking week of my life. At least I'm not at work. And then I was like,

oh, I

hate that. You know what I mean? Like, oh, because I had, like, a week off. Right? We were, like, doing whatever, and, like, I was like, that.

I don't like that. And then my friend had a store. I always say similar, but the Rocky just evolved so much. She had a plant and home decor store in Kentucky, and I met her in New York when I was in fashion school. And my grandmother actually lived in New York, so my mom, mom, and I were cool.

She knew my friend. Long story short, she knew Olivia's store, and she was just like, Olivia's store is so sharp. She's got all this cool stuff. So Olivia sent my family a plant instead of flowers when my mom passed. And I was like, mom, there's nothing like this here.

It's so cool. Like, my mom loved it. You would love it. And my mom looked at me. I'll never forget.

I could, like, shut my eyes and see it, and she was just like, let's open one. That was March. We signed a lease in June and opened in September, 6 years ago. Alright.

Well, since you say how many years ago, 6?

6. So the store, when we first opened, I thought it was gonna be I thought I was gonna do interior design. We were gonna be a plant and home store, and we're not.

Can you, yeah, can you explain to

the audience now that we're on Meraki? No. What is Meraki?

Where is Meraki at?

It's in Haddonfield.

It's in

Haddonfield, New Jersey.

Okay.

It is a plant and crystal store. We just started oral photography. It's a little witchy. I'm excited to talk about

that because

I feel like it's the same.

I just got back from, Sedona. So amazing. It was all our photography and crystal.

Get it done?

I

did not.

You guys are coming to the store.

Because I trust my my art, but we did we we had we picked up some crystals and things, and I'm back.

It was cool.

So I'm I'm in. Have you ever been to Sedona?

No. It's on my list.

You would lie. You would lie. I don't

think you would lie. Bring the fan by the store too. I would love to see that one.

You should. Let me know. I'll get you behind that word camera.

Sorry. Sorry.

Go ahead. No. You're good. I love it. We're community based and really spiritual as well.

So and that accidentally kinda happened. I know your guys' origin story. It's like the community started them the business.

Mhmm.

We were the business and then the community. And so it's hard to put what we it's like a plant crystal store.

It's a vibe store.

It's so much more than that. Yeah. It's so much more than that. I'm obsessed with it.

So, like, what go like, can you explain to me, like, when you say the

Now I understand the name.

Yeah. So Meraki means

the name.

To do something with soul, creativity, or love, or put a piece of yourself into your

work. Yes. So now I I knew that about the name, but I was just waiting for the the correlation because I didn't know. Yes. Exactly.

So so what are the typical operations, like, on a day to day basis? Like, where, like

For me?

Yeah. Well no. No.

For the store, like, how is it up? Like, is it open all day every day and people are coming in just buying things? And that's how you're you guys are staying in business? Because they point in the business the business is to stay in business. Right?

Like

so we sell stuff. We're open 6 days a week. We are closed on Mondays. Unfortunate, I have a staff, at this point. We expanded.

We about quadrupled our size in 2020.

Mhmm. But

it just keeps evolving and changing. I always say that the stuff we sell is just like a means to an end to keep the store open. Yeah. We do community events. We, like I said store.

At the store.

Nice. Yeah.

That's why I was like, guys, what are you doing here? Let's go. What are we doing? Yeah. Yeah.

So we host, like, women workshops. We've hosted not me, but, like, I brought someone in to do, like, men's mental health workshops, which is really important to us. We do, like, plant events and stuff like that. But my favorite thing that we do right now, it's called Sister Circle, but it's open to whoever. And we just sit once a month and, like, eat and hang out and just talk about life.

And it's just really cool, and it's just, like, really nice to feel that connection. And recently, we haven't done it in about 4 months because I just felt like I was going through my own stuff and didn't feel like I could be this, like, community leader. Yeah. But the cool thing is it took me a minute, and I was like, wait. I have the community, and I could just ask someone to help.

Yes. So, like, we're hosting 1 next month, and I'm like, well, I'm hosting the space, but so and so is leading it. You know what I mean? Like, it doesn't have to be on your shoulders all the time.

Imposter syndrome, which I think a lot of people have. But yeah.

Yeah. Everybody everybody does that.

And, like

that that

shouldn't, has

Has it. Should be always talking about. Like,

people actually shouldn't have imposter syndrome.

Oh, the imposter syndrome.

Yeah. I have the yeah. Exactly.

But I take it seriously, and I just want I just feel like when I'm not my best, I can't give. Mhmm. But

I

don't have to be my fucking best all the time. I've, like, created a a community that can be best

for you. Yeah. Yeah. They can support you. Yeah.

I think too when you're wired the way you're wired and the way we're wired, especially as entrepreneurs, like, you are used to being the problem solver. You're used to being the giver. You're used to being the the fountain.

Mhmm.

You know? And, you know, you having the ability and the awareness to step back and say, like, okay. Look. My cups are all empty at the moment, so I need to rely on the community and those around me to fill my cups so that I can continue giving is is smart.

Yeah. And I will say to that onto that point great point. No one has it all figured out. No one Regardless of what we may think. Like, even the people that are ahead are ahead of you, and you may think that they have it all figured out and their and their business is thriving and they just have a great family.

Like, everyone's figuring it out on a day to day

basis. Yeah.

And some people are figuring out more than others are. We can help person people that are less ahead is or less further on the journey than we are Mhmm. Figure it out quicker. But no one truly has everything. No.

I mean, the only constants change. Yeah. If everything has changed yeah. Right? It's a can be chaotic at times, but the only constants change.

Right? There's energies zipping around all over the place around us, constantly changing, different frequency, everything. New problems. If it the constant has changed, how do you ever figure it all out? Because it's always changing.

There's always something new to deal with. You know what I mean?

Yeah. That was a mind bender. So when you Order.

Oh, shit. Shit. Shit. Sorry. It's like rookie.

She's just dying. She's

just I put I

I even moved the table. So

you quickly died.

Put this in for me? Yeah. I appreciate it. Taking care of the the copilot.

So you were already doing that makeup though when that Meraki started. So, was that transition challenging? Was matte make like, were you already thriving in matte makeup, or was it so hard? Like, how did you go from 1 biz 2 business?

So I was just fortunate. My mom was able to really, like, run the store. I think of this all the time. Like, I was like, man, I would, like, still take weddings because we had bills to pay. Right?

So I would like, my mom would work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I would work every Friday. If I had a wedding, my mom would work the beginning of the day. I'd be, like, up at 6 AM, do the makeup till 12, and then go 12 to 6, close the store.

I

just, like, fucking hustled and whatever it took, but we are fortunate within, like, 7 or 8 months, I was able to quit my job. And I've, like, quit that

Mortgage job?

Yeah. Wow. I was like, bye. I'm never doing this again. I have nightmares about it still, though.

Like, during COVID, I had a night I like, the reoccurring Okay. So that's years past that I forgot my laptop to work from home. Yeah. Hell.

It's, that's we're a lot of, like I'm already, like, piece we've already had so many tough conversations and and been that confident for each other. But I like you, I can't deal with anyone telling me what to do. Like, we're only on this earth one time. Yeah. And the fact that most people choose to spend a trapped in a box and because someone told them they had to be there is just not a way I'll ever choose to live.

So crazy.

And I say this all the time, but I wouldn't trade my worst day as an entrepreneur for my best day as an employee. Never. And Never. You said the pressure cooker gets to that point when you're side hustling. Right?

It's where you're getting your salary and the you're also getting paid from your side hustle. And it's like, oh my god. The side hustle's doing so great. Like, if I just jump now, it would be and it gets to the point where you're like, oh my god. Like, I can't do both.

And Can't do both. Yeah.

That's when it gets tough. Right? Like

Yeah.

When you're burning the candle at both ends, but you're all I mean, you're also making more money than probably than you ever had because you have 2 incomes. So to the other one I

don't want I don't wanna go into the mortgage, job because, like, you already having nightmares. I wanna bring them out. I'll bring it up again.

I wanna

manifest them. PTSD. But I will ask about the salon. You said when you got your license, you were working in a salon first, and you were like, this sucks. Get me out of here.

Yeah. What was it? Was it the structure? Was it you not being free to practice the way you wanted to practice or operate the way you wanted to operate?

It was the lack of freedom and I'll never forget. Like, the smoke being blown up my ass. It obviously, like, I will hustle, and I understand when you're in that industry, like, you you are as successful as you're gonna be. Mhmm. And I was working for a company that had 3 locations, and every time I would, like, build a book here, they'd be like, we're gonna move you to the other one.

And I was like, okay. Like, whatever. And then finally, I'm like

And then your book stays there.

Right? I'll tell you my only regret in my life, truly. I think about this all the time. I'll never get the owner brought me in after moving me for the 3rd time and was just reamed me out. Because she, like, wanted me she wanted me to, like, not be or what whatever.

My busiest day, she wanted to take away from me, and I found out was because she wanted to give someone else my room. And I was like she's like, you are so ungrateful. Like, you yeah. She's like, you and I remember this. Like and, you know, we've built this makeup program for you and, like, all this stuff, and I was just like, okay.

My biggest regret is I sat there, and I knew in my head I was like, I'm fucking quitting, but I'm a get a job first.

Yeah.

My biggest regret is not just being, like, fuck you. I'm, like, leaving.

Yeah.

But

Saying no then and there.

Yeah. I just had to, like, make my moves. Yeah. Yeah. Yep.

You were also probably younger at the time too. Like, that was my

thing. Funny.

Yeah. I didn't know that when I was in the same but, I mean Yeah. The workplace wasn't as toxic as your as that. Yeah. But, I mean, there were gains being played and stuff like and politics and people that didn't like me.

And, I when you're that young and impressionable, you just don't have that self respect or, like, you're, like, I need this job. I can't just walk out right now.

I need a built

a specialist. You have you have, like, you don't have a lot of life experience either. So, like, you're still operating in the matrix at that time.

Realistically, you have plenty of skills where you get

someone where

they hired you or you get to start your own salon. You know what

I mean?

But I think, like, also when you're like us, like, be it, like, school or, like, someone else, like, you and I didn't know it then, but, like, I can't be confined. And I don't mean that in, like, a I'm always open to learn. I never wanna stop learning. I'm no better, but I just can't be put in, like

Yeah. A box.

I don't wanna follow the rules that I don't agree with. You know what I mean? Like, rules have a place. But

Oh, man.

Yeah. That's it's something I often talk to my free thinking friends a lot about. But it's like, rules have a place but limited amount of them. Like, the rules of do we have 10 rule 11 rules?

And even sometimes, you know, rules are meant to be broken.

Right. I

mean, that's the way it is Yeah. Depending on the situation. Dichotomies of life. You know?

You spend so much time and effort putting people into boxes that we've limited creativity and and what life is capable of. You know what I mean? Like, we

That's why nobody's conscious anymore. Consciousness. Everybody's right. Everybody's unconscious while That's

why you're able to be trapped in our houses for 2 years. Never again. And unable to think for ourselves and determine what we think is the right course of action. You know what I mean?

What you're describing is what they call the unemployable person. Yeah. You know what I mean? And, like, you know, I think it's maybe it's Cody. It says that a lot, like or I forget who says it.

That they're unemployable, basically. And it's a it's a kind of a sensational way of saying you're a free thinker.

Yeah.

You know, you're a free thinker. You wanna do you wanna do what you wanna do with who you wanna do it on your own time for the rewards that you determine. It's all those four levels of freedom. You know?

So Mad Makeup now currently is just doing whatever you feel like doing? Or okay.

Extra money.

No weddings.

I do weddings. Yeah. But they never Yeah. It's just, like, pick and choose. Are.

I don't book any in December anymore because that's, like, the end of q 4. That's my big retail. You know what I mean? That doesn't mean I don't need the money. It's just if I have a day off, I wanna be chilling.

Sure. And like you said, like, I think the time that I had this revelation of, like, money isn't everything was when I really had my son. And I was like, okay. Like, this is the purpose, like, of of what I need to do things for. And like you said, when that money that amount of money takes away from the time of with your son, it's like, what's more important to me at that time?

And sometimes it might be the money. So maybe the the movement might be the mission.

Yeah.

But you always weigh every decision business wise, like, against your family.

I think I had a hard time. Like, I've spent so much of my life just being, like, a strong woman and not meeting anyone. And really in the I think since having my son like, even when I had my son, I was like, I'm everything's just gonna be the same. I'm not really gonna be, like, the mom, like, in the mom role. I just saw it as a weakness.

Yeah. And it's not true, and, like, it's okay. I'll never be submissive. I use the word surrender. Like, it's okay to surrender and, like, have my husband take care of me or, like, really just say no to fucking everything else and be the mother that my son needs.

But just that shift in mindset was really, really difficult for me because I just have always gone out and done and just, like, figured it all out myself. Yeah. And I just felt like being that super, like, traditional feminine role didn't feel, like, safe for me. You know?

You were used to being, like, the badass, like, alpha business bitch. Yeah.

I mean, I still am.

But it's

just different. It's just

it's okay. Feminine touch. Yeah.

I mean, it takes it takes just as much in my opinion, it takes just as much strength to surrender, to step away from the identity that you've created for the right reasons

Yeah.

Or, like, who you are at your core for the right reasons takes just as much strength.

And my like, you and my wife were, like, peas and pop, but that it's and she was always the same way, entrepreneur or leader. Like, she was always so used to that. And for some reason, when she had Parker, like, things change. You know what I mean? Per perspective changed.

Priorities changed. And really, like, nothing else matters other than our missions of you want and flawless and and our family. And that's, like, you said, like, quitting other things. Like, if the she she subconsciously decided what's important to her and what she's gonna focus her time and energy on, and

that's Yep. You say no to the rest?

Yeah. And we, like, work on I remember, like, being pregnant, be like, I just wanna, like, heal these things and, like, be the best for my son, but nothing heals you like your child. That's not their job, but, like, he he's 2, and he has taught me more in the past few years than I've ever

Ain't that the truth?

It's so cool. It's exhausting. It's cool, though.

It is. You're gonna get the lessons whether you want them or not.

Oh, yeah.

You're gonna get

the you're gonna get the healing whether you want it or not, but it's so well said and so true. And I don't think anybody's ever said that on the show before. 50 5 episodes or whatever, and nobody's ever said that is such an important point. Yeah. Such a it's not their responsibility, but they do it.

They do. Yeah.

I love that. I have a moment there. Yeah.

Yeah. I'm having a

little moment too.

You've get you I know you've get

married to your mom. 2 daughters. Yeah. 2 daughters. Same 5.

Nice. Girl dad. Proud girl dad.

I've always I I just wanted your take on that because I've always shot away from when when was the time the time for us to have it? I these 2. Right? Yeah.

He'll be till February.

So,

like, it'll be perfect,

like and EJ is still what? Like, 3 years apart? 5. Yeah.

Yeah. 3 years apart.

When it came when was that time? Like, we were in the thick of fuel on the thick of our gym, and I was like, I just don't I literally can't see myself pouring into another kid. Like, already just now right now, I'm like, every moment I'm working, I'm like, I this is time I'm taking away from my son and my my wife. And I'm just like, I literally don't think I could do that right now. And I just don't think I could to to this day, like because, again, I had trained you so much.

I just like I I like where I'm investing my energy right now, and I feel like with more than 1 child, I think, like, obviously, you figure it out. But

I would've I would've went 5 if

Really? Enough.

Like Oh, yeah.

I would've had a whole truck.

My life feels full. And I know it wouldn't feel and I'm not saying full like I can't handle it. It just nothing feels like it's missing right

now.

Same. Same. Yeah.

So I don't know. That's an important point.

Yeah.

But how wild is it that your your child heals your inner child?

No. Wild. Crazy.

Wow. So, like, theoretically, what you needed was already inside of you. Oh, god.

Yeah. Yeah. They do. And they give you those lessons, and I had a moment where something happened, and I just kind of froze. And Tim, my husband, was like, what?

And I was like, I just, like, clearly see the way that I don't wanna go, and I don't know what else to do. Like, I didn't wanna do what I was, like, taught, and I just kinda, like, stood there. It was cool. It was really cool. Yeah.

Yeah.

I didn't act, so I just stood there and, like, thought about it. You know?

And that's I mean That's wild.

It's cool.

A lot of people don't even have that level of consciousness or intention to even sit there and, like, reflect on that before it

Mhmm.

Happens. Yeah.

Crazy.

So That's wild. Meraki, has it always been thriving? Has there ever been ups and downs? And then you recently opened Jackson proper and and since closed, we'll talk about that as well. But at what point were you like, alright.

I have matte makeup, Meraki under control. I'm gonna take another, business venture on with him. And then so first question, was Meraki always smooth sailing? And second question is, how did it lead into Jackson proper?

I don't know how to answer that first question. We are really fortunate in the location that we're in, and I'm aware of that. But it has never been easy. It's always been good because I am relentless at it. And that's something I'm working on too is, like, I can rest and stop, and everything's not gonna, like, lose it.

Sure. So everything's gonna be okay for, like, if I take a couple days off. I don't know. Maybe this is, like, controversial, but, like, COVID was the best time for our business. I've never worked so hard.

But

How so, though? Like, how did

well, I pivoted our whole business. We were really just doing plants. That was, like, how the market was trending. I was doing these things called, mystery bags, and they were $50. And I was said you get, like, a $100 worth of inventory, and it was a way for me to, like, surprise, clear out what I had

Yeah.

And, like, the inventory that we had while we were closed. And me, my mom, my husband, and my brother were driving around fucking New Jersey and Philly every day to make deliveries.

Delivering the bags.

Delivering freaking bags.

So at this point, it's just bags of plants?

Just plants. Like, if I had inventory

stuff wasn't

Yeah. I was doing crystals too. Yeah. But it was just, like, whatever kind of was, like, left on the shelves Yeah.

I mean

I was getting to, like Yeah.

Uh-huh.

You know?

Of course.

A little business nugget there for anyone listening.

Yeah. Doing mystery bags

are really good. People love them. Also yeah. That and also don't be a victim of your circumstances.

Yeah. Figure out

a way through it. Yeah. You know what I mean?

So, yeah, I've been fortunate, like and I did kinda feel that with JP is and my dad said that, like, you kind of caught lightning in a bottle with Meraki. It's not like you didn't work hard for it or you didn't evolve, but just, like, be, like, rare to get that again.

Yeah. So what is Jackson proper for anyone that is asking?

So I'm a dreamer always, and I'm a doer. And my husband and I, like, immediately after owning my Rocky, we're like, there's no place for men. There's no freaking men's stores. There's no, like, not a suit like, affordable cool men's stores. Well, we should open one of those.

So it's been, like, this dream.

It was a dope dope spot too.

And, oh, so fucking cool. It was it was actually perfect.

Literally, we don't do much holes. Like, we don't put our our gear and shirts in any in, like, anywhere. Any breed. Yeah. Like, we literally don't.

Like, we shy away from it. But when you told me that Jack is a proper, and I saw, like, the vibe, I was like, yo. This is, like, literally if if we were meant to be anywhere, it's here.

It was such an honor, and that's I'll talk about that too. But, like, when we close, you guys are, like, one of the first people. I was like, I feel like I'm letting them down. But here's a funny story. I don't know if you remember.

We met at the Fury fights.

Yeah.

And, I think Kristen Brady was like, you know, he owns fuel hot, and I was like, oh, I'm a go introduce myself, and I'm gonna tell him that we're opening the store. And my husband's like, we are literally not opening the store. And I was like, but we're gonna one day. And he's like, she can't stop. He's like, she can't stop.

And I did. And I was like, we're opening a store. I'd love to there was no store. We were I think this was, like, 2 or 3 years ago. There was no idea of a store.

It was just, like, we're gonna do it. That's how I operate.

I that's how I mean

I'm, like, but we're gonna one day. Exactly.

Yeah. I

didn't think when you did eventually hit me up for the shirt, I was, like,

I didn't even think about having that conversation, like, x amount of years ago and that how it, like, did it work. Time

has passed. Yeah.

I was, like, hey. Do you remember?

That much time how much time it is.

We operate the same way. It's funny. This morning, I just randomly was thinking about, like, how many things we've talked about that have come true.

Mhmm.

And they haven't come true on our timeline, but they've all come true.

Yeah. Totally.

You know

what I mean? That's manifesting baby. Mhmm. That's my whole thing. You know?

We again, I

We have to speak it into existence.

Always. I need Speak it into existence. Universe what you want, and it'll come.

It's already done. Yeah.

So With the work.

Jackson Properties. You open that dope men's store.

So we curated men's

curated men's collection. We were gonna have, like, a couple of our, like, line. Right? The whole the name was decided before our son. My son's name is Jackson.

So my dad's name is Jack. Well, my dad's name is John. Everyone calls him Jack, and my mom mom who passed away, always called him Jackson. So I'm like, if we have a boy, his name's gonna be Jackson. And then the proper part and our tagline was work hard, live proper.

So, like, work your fucking ass off, but, like, live right, do it right, right by your family, keep

your teeth

tight. Brandon was sick.

Thank you. So we launched, like, a tiny, not even apparel, just gift collection in Meraki a year before we opened our storefront. I'm like, let's just kinda, like, let's just start getting money so when we find the store.

Test before you invest.

Yeah. Oh.

Shout out Brian shout out Brian McNally.

Oh, really? Yeah.

So 6 my son was 6 weeks old. We're in Medford, and we're, like, checking out a brewery that opened, and we parked. And I was like, what's that? What's that store? Like, looked in.

It had, like, vaulted ceilings. I was like, we need to open a men's store. And my husband's like, we have a fucking newborn. Like, we have a newborn. And we've really like, adults and, like, talked, but in my head, there we were doing it.

Yeah. And we did, and we crushed it. And it was actually cool because I now opened Meraki twice. Right? We opened, and then we expanded in 2020 to have.

We talked about money not being everything. Like, I was able to take a loan from my other business, and that shit was, like, right from the the start. You know? Like, everything was so good.

Yeah.

And we opened it, and I will say and I don't know if I've ever admitted this, but, like, almost immediately, I knew it was wrong.

Really?

Yeah. I was just like I I just like a gut feeling. But I also my business advice, which isn't great, I don't know, but I always say just there's a million reasons always to not do something.

Of course.

So just fucking do it. So all of those reasons in my we have a newborn, like, all this stuff, like, I just just do it.

So from the get go, what made you believe it it wasn't right? And, like, how was the start? Like, how did things go?

The location, although the physical space was stunning.

Yeah.

Haddonfield's about Medford and Haddonfield are about 40 minutes away. The walking traffic wasn't there.

Yeah.

We didn't, like, really

race minutes away from Meraki. Mhmm.

Yeah. Probably

would've been those that would

be, like, right next to Meraki. Was that not a

Oh, yeah. That's still in my brain. Yeah. Yeah. Like, maybe.

You know? It's not a Haddonfield is so there's wait lists for stores. Oh, really? Oh, yeah. There is, like it's really tough to get in there.

So

that's why I was, like, let's just jump on this. Yeah. We'll sign it to your lease, and then we'll move it to Haddonfield.

You kinda like a 4 4 square peg in the round hole.

Yeah.

I tried to.

You couldn't talk me out of it, though. Everyone tried. You're crazy. You're this. You're this.

And I was

like, well, I'm going to do lease.

I mean, smart.

We did 2 years Oh. And we got out in 9 months

Oh, okay.

Which was hard for me because and we never talked about this, so I'm grateful to have the opportunity to. Yeah. There was a point where I just, like, looked at my husband. My husband's in law enforcement. He's still in law enforcement.

Yeah.

And Jackson proper, even from before us having the storefront, the idea was to get him the hell out of law enforcement. Yeah. He's an amazing human, and I know I'm biased to say that he's exactly who you want wearing uniform. And I I I just, like, cannot speak highly of him more highly of him, and I would do anything to get him out of it, especially now that we have a son. So that just, to me, was like, I'm doing this for our family.

Let's do this. Him working 7 days a week, me working 7 days a week, we would not have a day off together. Like, we would get a day off and, like, Jack Jackson would be with my son or vice versa.

Yeah.

And right after the holiday, it was, like, right after December, I just, like, looked at him, and I was like, my husband, we're losing everything. We're losing each other. We're losing I'm crying all the time. Like, I'm not happy. Are you happy?

And he's like, no. But we don't quit. And I'm like, we don't quit, but, like, we need to. And someone said to me because that fucking hurt my ego too. I don't I don't quit.

I've never quit anything in my life.

And

someone said to me, yeah. But it also takes a good business owner to know when to walk away.

Yeah. For sure.

So it was the it was hard, but it wasn't. Right? It was like like I felt like I was letting you guys down. I know you don't do collabs, and, like, we put so much effort into it and every detail in it. It was just, like, perfect, but nothing comes before my family.

Mhmm.

And then also me, Rocky, was slipping too.

Yeah. And I was like

Divided attention. Yeah. Divided attention. Yeah. And no like, from our side of things, if 2 people get it, we get it.

So Thank

you. Yeah.

Never never in in our minds or anything do we ever feel like you're letting us

Yeah.

It's funny.

Like, my first thought was like, damn. Like, I didn't do enough for her. Like Oh my god. Me. Like, I was like Yeah.

And that's just I feel like our nature. Right? You're thinking about us, and we're thinking about you. You know what I mean?

No. I appreciate that's amazing that you

But I

was like like,

equally as sad. Like, I was like, damn. Like, I could have done more to to help.

I think that's what I

said to you after the fact. So I'm I'm getting, like, emotional about that. That's what I was just like, holy shit. Because, like, I mean, we've we've been there. Like, we've had the same comment the same It's a

show you're not gonna see on Instagram about entrepreneurship. Exactly.

And the thing that I don't that's why I said, like, to have this opportunity to even talk about it, I don't think I even put it in words that way because I just also was so I needed to, like, process it myself.

Oh, yeah.

And Sure. Yeah. So it's just thanks for the opportunity to even say all that.

Thank you for sharing that. But alright. So, I mean, I have more questions. So I'd like to also always on on the show, like, give the few tactical knowledge and things to walk away from. So deciding to close the you didn't close the LLC.

Right? Because it's No.

Yeah. I still have it.

Yeah. So how breaking the lease, how did that go with the, if you don't mind sharing that? Like

and that's also I'm obviously big on, like, the universe and signs. He would he cut our rent without us asking at month 6. We were paying the rent on time because I would cut my arm off rather than be late on the rent. Like, paying the rent on time, and he was just like, came in, and he's like, I really want you guys to succeed. Like, I'm a cut this a lot.

Yeah. I was

like, alright. Cool. And after holiday, we I'm like, we are not hitting our numbers.

Yeah.

And I just went to him, and I was like, hey. I get it. I get it if I owe you money and, like, whatever, but we gotta get out of this. And he was like, I get it, and he let us walk. He let us walk, and not business is business.

So for him to do that Yeah. He totally didn't have to do that. And I was prepared to do whatever it took to, like Yeah. Give him what he did.

Payment plan.

Yeah. Whatever.

Exactly. I'll

figure it. I appreciate that so much, and that to me was, like, the universe just kind of, like, affirming that we were doing the right thing even though it was hard.

Yeah. Plus, you know, handing some chips back to you after all the chips you've given, you know, to others too as well. So

I I do

you have That was a short so that was a a short, short story on the lease break, but a fortunate one. That's good. Yeah.

Do you have any more questions on Jackson proper and

No. I mean, I think that you summed it up perfectly, you know, and it's funny because, when you talk about quitting, like, quitting for the right reasons and quitting the right thing, that literally just came up in the show that we just did.

It's honestly so crazy how much overlap is in the show.

It is, but it's not because the same energy is, like, floating around here.

So Same more. Is a show brought to

all of you. Isn't like I know. You don't, like, lay down and die. You know what I mean? It's just we did say tactical, and I really wanted to say this because I feel like you guys can resonate with this.

This might be jumping a little.

Jumping.

But something that's come up so much the past year that I'm, like, leaning into, and I know I know you guys have had this said to you, is when people say, like, only you see it that way or, like, no one else sees those details or, like, it's fine. No one's gonna notice that. Mhmm. To me, like, the business advice or, like, if you're in a leadership position is don't fucking take that. And I'm so done year 6 taking that

Yep.

Because everything I do is because of the way the way I see things and because of the little details. And you may not know that our bags are black because that's a protective color. And when you leave, I want you to leave feeling like you're protected and safe. Mhmm. No one fucking knows that.

I mean, we've never even said that before. You know what I mean? But it's just, like, anything that I let slide is a crack in the dam. And if I was, like, to give advice to community or business leaders, it would just be like, that's your superpower, and don't settle.

Don't compromise. Ugh. Yeah. Don't compromise.

Me 6 years to really be like, you're like, I used to be like, you're right. Only I see that. No, motherfucker.

Yeah. But that's what that's what that's what makes it special. Yeah. And people may not see it, but they feel it.

Yes. It's a healing win.

People that's what people that give that advice don't understand that. Yeah. Yes. They don't see it. You're right.

But they feel it. They feel They don't see cracks in the dam, but they can feel cracks in the dam. You know, when you walk into a place of business or you do business with somebody, you can feel it immediately like, meh, something's not right. Weird. Little some

some little

you don't you may not see. You may not see the behavior. You may not see the flaw on the product. You may not see that something's misarranged, you may not, but you feel it.

Mhmm. There's

so much that comes up to my favorite quote of all time. Do you do you wanna it applies to this, but I I would make you guess it, but I'll just tell you. How you do anything is how you do everything. And that applies to literally every aspect of life. Like, someone said it to me, and it literally changed the way I did everything.

And my sisters are you've dealt with Brianna, my sister. Like so she deals with me on a business on a personal level. I know

she was your sister.

Yeah. Yeah. So she angel.

She'll she'll

tell me things that that most, employees wouldn't or, like, the way that she believes things. And they're very open minded, we'll say. Or open up open opinionated, I will say. So we're not. Yeah.

Oh, we're not.

Eat it or put it on. Yeah.

With how she feels.

We'll say.

Yeah. So I, work just as crazy. Right? Like, that's how Joey and I do everything like that. Like Yeah.

The little details matter just as much as the big details. And she would say those exact words. Now she understands because she's grown as a person, individual, and business and business person. But in the beginning, it's really true. Like, you're being crazy.

I'm like, no.

Being crazy.

There's it's there's, like, a nuance there. Like, you should never compromise on, like, your superpower. And, like, if your gut is telling you the bags need to be black, then damn it. The bags need to be black. But I think that there's also that, like, dichotomy of in business where there are times that I have, and this sounds terrible, but there are times where I've settled for 87%

The

instead of my 97% because I knew that progress was more important at that moment, and then I was gonna double back and add the extra 10%. I was gonna

say, you don't get it right all the

time. Yeah.

Right? It's not Yeah.

And there's, like, a balance to everything or a dichotomy that, like, that you can't, like, great be the enemy of good enough too because then you're just never

Yeah.

Like, you're never making progress.

Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Exactly. So that's I mean, a whole another pocket is in this discussion.

Such a such a great point. I'm glad you brought it up. Yes. You know what I mean? Yeah.

I I'd like that you just I don't let anyone tell you you're crazy. You know what I mean? Like like, that being crazy is what makes you you.

We wouldn't be business owners if we weren't because there's this, like, notion that you got you're crushing it. How many times have someone said that to you, and you're like, I don't fucking sleep. I'm stressed. We just took a pay cut so our employees could be paid this month. We're not posting that on Instagram.

Like, I'm I'm working my ass off. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Yep. But it's just, like, there's this crazy here. There's a reason.

Damn it, bro. That's literally every day someone says, you're crushing.

Crushing. You're crushing it. You guys are Literally crushing it.

I hear that more than high. Oh, well,

like You guys are crushing it. You're everywhere. You're this, that. And I'm like, yes. But, like, it's also so my

Retired.

I don't say it. Exactly. When I say I don't say it, but, like, when when somebody says it's me, you're crushing it. I'm like, look. Like, it's crushing to be behind crushing it.

Yeah.

That's so that's your next shirt.

It is now.

Yeah. He's It is. Play with words this guy.

Yeah. It's true.

Yeah. It's

true. And you don't stop, and that is crazy. Mhmm. But that's why we are who we are.

That's why we are.

It's back to that workplace mix and having to quit things. Right? Like, Joe just said, we we do we work jujitsu in our family, and that's really it. So, like, if it is not one of those three things, I'm probably not doing it. And, you said something earlier.

Oh, shit. It escapes me, but I forgot I was going with that. But, anyway, we'll

It'll come back up.

If it does come back to me, it will

It'll come back up.

It's not it's not meant to be.

I looked away.

There's so there's so much good stuff here. Like, it's hard to keep track of it all.

I talk a lot. I talk fast. You guys do too.

It's So yeah. That's, I

mean, that's a

billion dollars. Yeah. Yeah. So you're would you say part of your life's mission right now or maybe is is to free your husband from is that still the plan?

It sounds like there's a dichotomy there because you said, like, if you want somebody in the uniform, it's him. Yeah. So, like, does that ever weigh on you when you're like, I want you out of the uniform because of our family and what we have going on and

To add on that, though, I will say being the son of a police officer, it's like having to hug your significant I couldn't imagine being my significant other more, like, than my dad or father figure. It's like having to hug them goodbye and, like, not knowing if they're gonna be safe and come home that night is, like, gotta be the hardest thing for you

to do.

I can't think about it that much anymore. I would say my life's mission now is to get our home life so tight that no matter what happens at work mentally, as long as he comes home, we're good.

Yeah.

You know? Because I don't I don't know. I think that, like, my final destinations, like, my goals and my dreams

Maybe not life's been shared, but, like, the

Right now.

The top yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Top priority at the moment.

I just want because I don't know how to do it. So instead of doing nothing

Yeah.

I just want it to feel I want our home and personal life to be so solid. When I say personal too, I mean, like, the 3 of them. Like, me and my husband. I don't k. I have a great I started this podcast saying, like, my family and I are super close.

The beautiful thing and, like, I'm sure a sad thing because, ugh, my son's gonna have to happen one day, I guess, is, like, then you create your own family, and, like, nothing actually matters except for us.

Yeah.

So I just wanna make sure that my husband's good at home too.

Yeah. Everything flows from that, though. Like, it's not being selfish. Like, you have to keep your unit tight. Like, earlier, like, earlier in the very beginning, you're like, you gotta keep your shit tight, Adam.

Keep it tight.

Dick. You're with the head.

You know what I mean? Because it's it's true. Like, you have to keep your unit Yeah. Tight. Everything flows from it.

Yeah. And that's your safe space too. Like, when he comes home, like, how much better does that make him him feel at work or on a day to day basis when he knows when he comes home, he can, like, take his vest off and it's, like, put it down and it's, like, okay. Like, this is

It's just, like, calm and safe. Mhmm. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. He's the best.

Do you have a lot of, I mean, our house is actually Feng Shui. There's like, I when we were moving into this house, I was like, I gave a book to a man. I was like, man, I just, like, I don't have time for this right now, but

I need you

to I need you to make sure that our house does this. Are are you all I guess, like, we have the crystals. We have the water elements. We have the fire elements.

Yeah. We have the vibes. We sage a lot.

Oh, the sage.

The windows are open a lot.

Mhmm. Which of the sage the incense sticks work as well as I'm asking for a friend. But do they work as well as the smudge sticks or, like, not the same?

I think it's a personal preference. Okay. So here's to, like, the we have a crystal bar at the shop. Right? And it's, like, all like, probably, like, a 100 type of crystals.

And the really big question is, like, I need one for anxiety. What would you recommend? And I'm like, I recommend that you just shut your eyes and use your intuition, which we are told not to use, and see what calls to you. And 9 times out of 10, when you go back and look at that, that's exactly what you needed. So same thing.

If you resonate some people do, like, a sage spray. I really like smoke. So, like, that spray doesn't, like, resonate with me, but, like, the smoke does. Like, cold plunges, those are really big right now. That is a form of cleansing.

Mhmm. You're literally cleansing.

Yep.

It's such a I told you guys I had, like, imposter syndrome all freaking week coming on this podcast, and I was like, but it's the same. Like, the manifesting, it's, like, whether it's in the gym or it's the same.

It's the same.

You're just calling it different things. You know? Or doing a different medium.

Yeah. That's the same theory with miss Masogi in Japan, bathing under a cold waterfall to start the year and cleanse yourself.

It's a nice bath.

You know what I mean? Yeah. It's exactly what it is. Yeah. Explain the open windows for those that may not.

So anytime you're cleansing or wanting something to leave, you have to give it somewhere to go.

It doesn't open the door.

Damn it.

Can't just, like, cleanse your space.

We do open windows a lot as well even in the even in the winter.

We have ours open in the winter.

Yeah. It's good for you.

When I have smudged or I've I've not had the windows open, I don't think.

So they're Bacon, dude. You're baking it.

He was just like, I'll just let this stuff fester.

The spirit.

Yeah. Yeah. The spirit.

Let it fester. Yeah.

But we do like, white sage every night. This the incense stick,

though.

Incense's great too. Like, the oils, it just, like, is such a such a personal

what we'll wrap it up with 2 questions. Do you have any other questions

for me? No. This is this was amazing. And I know we're not signing off right now because you got more questions, but, like, this is amazing.

Thank you.

And, it's great to meet you in person. I know. I'm, like, sitting here wondering why we didn't do this.

Yeah. So, typically, we do, like, a lightning round.

Mhmm.

But being that you're the vibes expert, can I I wanna do it differently? And can you leave the few with tactical knowledge on if they want to live a vibe a positive vibe life or have a good aura

High frequency. High frequency life.

High quantum energy. Like, what are, like, your top three tips for the beginner?

So the first tip is to let go of the expectation that if you're gonna live that life, that everything is good all the time because it's not. Just because you are, like, having this mindset and being a positive force or, like, manifesting doesn't mean you're gonna get first off okay. The rocks I sell the crystals I sell are just rocks.

No. They're crystal.

It holds an energy, and you have to work and believe that just like anything else. He's like, no. It's magic. Okay? Forget it.

Not not the expert anymore.

That's such a I'm glad you said it. Such an important point. It's such an important point.

Who disagrees? You can't so if you are gonna choose to live this life, sometimes bad shit happens, and that's okay. Right? But the so that would be number 1. I guess number 2 would be to trust even if you can't get there fully.

Trust that everything you want is already yours. Like I said, when I met you, I was like, we're opening a men's store. And my husband was literally behind me like, we are? And I'm like, we are. Yes.

We are. Like, I don't fucking know when or whatever. Mhmm. But to just, like, speak that into existence. And then the third would be to get off Instagram and get off TikTok and to just use your intuition.

Maybe that's bad business advice since I own a store that sells all the tools. We have everything we need within us. You put you drink coffee, fucking stir that coffee, and that's a spell. Like, what do you want your day to look like? Stir your intentions in there.

I'm really into color magic right now because of the aura camera. You have to get dressed and eat every day. We talked about the black bags. Like, green green is a really big heart opener. Green is abundance and growth.

Accidentally, you wear that on podcast day. You know what I mean? Eat a freaking salad today if you wanna call that in. Like, it doesn't have to be some Instagramable perfect thing. It's just about living your life with a little bit more intention and just trusting that everything you want is already yours.

You don't need to know how how you're gonna get it, but just know that it is already yours and the universe will present itself. Mhmm.

Does that

make sense?

I mean, I'm So well said. I can't I can't really answer that.

Like, literally, like we I I was thinking in my head. I was like, we should've just did a whole manifestation

Part 2.

Like, vibes podcast. Part 2.

I'll bring the camera here, and we'll do it.

But yeah. Our store episode 1 of any guest of ours is the origin story. So they can hear before they hear the vibes aura manifestation podcast. I need to hear the story

behind us. Yeah. Yeah. So I definitely do part 2.

Now it's

so well said. So well said.

That was great. So well said. Last question for me is what is next for Madison Ramirez, and are there any new business ventures we should be keeping an eye like, tabs on that we should keep a lookout for?

For the first time in my life, I don't know. The I think I might have said this already too. Like, I know I have business, like, monetary goals, and, like, I have a 5 year what I want. I've got personal goals within our family and our home, but those final destinations are nonnegotiable. But like I talked about, they're already done.

I'm gonna let the journey take me however, and for the first time, just kind of let it happen, instead of trying to force anything and just trusting that everything I want is already already done. That's hard even as a control. I'm a doer and a control person, but

I don't know. You're gonna do and work while you just trust where you're headed.

Any You're

you're set in the direction by the work you're doing, but you're just you're just going with it.

Woah. Yeah. Anytime I move from a place of, like, greed or fear or really, like, money for the wrong reason, it doesn't feel intentional, and it's not it doesn't last. Yeah. So I far like, my eyes are there, and it's just gonna happen.

Yeah. Alright. Well, this is

where can people find Yeah.

Exactly.

Madis Ramirez and Meraki Market?

So on Instagram, it's Madison Ramirez_13, and then Meraki is meraki market_nj.

Amazing. Looking forward to part 2 of this.

Thank you.

I mean that. Yeah.

Yep. Madison, thank you very much for sharing your time and your energy with us. Thank you. Very grateful. Thanks.

I will leave a few with a message. Always choose effort over entitlement. Always choose hard work over handouts. And remember, no one owns you. No one owes you.

You're one of the few. That's hot.