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

Hi Monica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We recently started Carved With Love Co. Being overcome with grief from losing two of our dogs at the end of 2023, we started making wooden bowls and charcuterie boards as a distraction. That distraction lead to the birth of a company that’s already sold out of all of its stock in the first week. Inspired by nature, we are carving live edge bowls and using wood straight from our own land. Each piece is unique, and each one is a beautiful piece of functional art. Some are dough bowls, which apparently is the new craze, and others are just bowls to fill with decorative items or rocks or whatever suits your fancy. We are delighted to see these one-of-a-kind, hand crafted wood products make so many people happy, they have helped us overcome grief and heal from things that are hard to talk about. Something good comes from something bad, and that’s the silver lining that keeps us going.

We also just launched our women owned company, SheRockHunts Co., handmade gel wax candles featuring Lake Superior Agates, Petoskey Stones and Leland Blues, which [for now] are all rocks we’ve hounded for on the Great Lakes shores. What started as a way of surviving depression, rock hounding and sharing mental health encouragement has now grown into being able to do something with the rocks that’ll bring joy to others, too. My wife is a retired science teacher of 34 years so she’s taken her science/chemist brain and worked tirelessly to perfect the gel with less bubbles, the scent, rock placement and overall amazingness that makes these candles pop! It’s a difficult process which is why the market is small, but very worth it.
Starting both of these companies in January 2024 has kept us busy to say the least, but we are so incredibly proud of Carved With Love Co. and SheRockHunts Co. and everything both companies stand for.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a self-made and self-taught woman. I’m the Jackie of all trades, as we joke about at home.

I’ve had a photography business since 2011 that I’m still so incredibly proud of, Monica Foster Photography. Our LGBTQ+ community, Mary & Ronda Co. that my wife and I have built from the ground up means so much to us and I’m so grateful for the Framily and support we get from supporting others. I’m also a rockhound and mental health advocate at SheRockHunts and I’m currently writing my first book that will hopefully inspire others on their mental health journey. Our newest endeavor, Carved With Love Co. encompasses our love of nature, Michigan, and using our creative minds to help us heal from grief, trauma and hurts.

I’m so grateful for a life of trying new things, never giving up, and trying my best to spread joy, love and light. That shows in my web designs, photography, mental health chats and advocacy, and connecting with those around me with my words and writing.

It hasn’t always been easy though, but each time I’ve hit a roadblock, I’ve come out on the other side stronger, more confident and ready to take on any challenges that are thrown my way. So many opportunities, so many lives to touch, so many souls to help…my mission will always be to spread love and light.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As an unofficial advocate for Michigan, if my best friend was coming for a week, we wouldn’t be able to stay in one place! We would hit all the beach-towns along Lake Michigan, we’d go rock hunting in Leland and wine tasting in Traverse City. We’d cross the Big Mack and get pasties from Lehtos and go find agates in Lake Superior. We’d go to Marquette and find all the microbreweries that we enjoy so much. We’d hunt for Yooperlites on the shores of Grand Marais and maybe even a kayak paddle at Pictured Rocks. We’d head back south and get a burger at Schuberg’s in Big Rapids and go tubing down the river. We’d go to Grand Rapids and walk along the river and grab a bite at The Mitten Brewing Company. So much to see in Grand Rapids, where my wife and I are both originally from. We’d even venture down to Kalamazoo and go to our favorite, Bell’s Brewery and cheers with Oberon. And anywhere along the Lake Michigan coast, we’d watch as many sunsets as we could. Michigan is a dream and we love discovering new places to love!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My journey has been filled with so much darkness and so much light. Shoutout to those who have helped me see the light, to my wife, Michelle, who has stood by me through life’s trials and who had reminded me that I’m enough and I can make the world a better place. Shoutout to my kids who make me laugh, who drive me crazy and give me so much hope. Shoutout to my mom and dad, since going into business with them at the beginning of 2024, we’ve got to build bridges in our relationship and together we can all make the world a better place. And shoutout to our LGBTQ+ community who surrounds us daily with their love, light and support.

Website: www.carvedwithlove.us

Instagram: www.instagram.com/michelleandmonica

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maryandronda

Other: www.tiktok.com/@maryandronda www.monicafosterphoto.com www.instagram.com/sherockhunts www.instagram.com/carvedwithlove_shop https://linktr.ee/maryandronda

Image Credits
All photos taken by Monica and Michelle Foster

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