We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebeka Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebeka, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Live each moment to the fullest! After losing my sister, Monica in 2021 to ovarian cancer, I realized that God gave us this one life while on earth to use wisely and spread his love. Even in her battle was cancer Monica shared her testimony of Christ’s salvation and left a little sparkle everywhere she went.
She also was very diligent about getting the facts of ovarian cancer out to other women who possibly did not know what the signs and symptoms were. I wanted to carry on her legacy and knew my business could give me a platform for it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
How I got where I am today? Well… Two years ago, I was 6 months into grieving the loss of my sister. While she had been in her battle with cancer the blue butterfly was prevalent on many Ovarian Cancer items. So, I was driving down Miller Road and see a store called ‘Blue Butterfly Boutique.’ I knew I had to be part of that store, somehow, someway!
I became a vendor with that owner, selling jewelry and my other sister, Selina’s artwork. I did that for year, then that store was going to close. It had been very helpful in my grieving process therefore, I knew it just couldn’t close.
My husband and I prayed about it, I talked to the former owner and I decided to reopen the store as “Blue Butterfly Thrifts & Gifts.” Within 6 months we went from 8 vendors to 48 vendors.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would have to start with breakfast at Jamie’s Place! It is the best hometown meal you can eat and the staff is never fazed by the busyness of the dining room! We could then walked over to my shop and have a couple hours to get lost in the nostalgia of memories gone by. It is a gift shop with new as well as granny core pieces to choose from. By then, we might have worked up a thirst and can run across the street to Great Lakes Smoothie Co. for a Kale Yeah! While there, we may as well pop into Howe Art studio to see if there are any classes going on. Whew! That was only day 1….

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus, for being my counsel, who I go to daily. Grateful for each wave of grief as I overcome it and the courage to face my daily anxieties. A huge shout out to my husband, Jeffrey of 29 1/2 years for completing me. Anytime I have something I am unable to finish, no matter the task… he is there! Never doubting, always supporting.

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