These last few weeks have really opened my eyes to what it will take to bring my vision to life — all the little bits, from choosing the right wall décor to deciding the size of the main lobby, bathroom fixtures, and even the types of flowers to grow in the garden. Wow… it’s really a lot.

Then once it’s all picked out, there’s the listing of everything — quantities needed, costs, and materials. I haven’t even gotten it all listed yet, let alone the services I’ll need to build it: contractors, landscapers, architects, and so on. After that, I’ll need to find services to help run the business once it’s built — laundry, trash, security, equipment maintenance, and more.

When things start adding up, it looks scary. Scary for me — someone who’s never seen this volume of dollars in my entire life. Every bit of it is necessary though. I need to make sure every penny is accounted for and that my estimated revenue is accurate so that, when I present my plan for funding, it reflects real consideration, research, and dedication.

It can feel overwhelming when I sit back and think of everything that has to be figured out. But this is what’s going to bring my vision to life. Even though I get overwhelmed at times, I’m equally excited — and that excitement is such an amazing feeling.

I started with cutting pictures out of country magazines, pinning things on Pinterest that made me feel calm and happy, and slowly visualizing it all together in my head. One day, I actually saw it as a whole — that was the moment I grabbed a piece of paper and sketched out my vision.

You know, at first I thought it would just stay on that piece of paper. But one day, while chatting with ChatGPT (which I use regularly for my online business), I mentioned my Pinterest boards and my vision — how I wanted it to serve others. The response I got opened my eyes to all the ways I could actually bring it to life. I never thought it was possible, but after seeing the options and ideas, I realized it is.

So, I grabbed the bull by the horns and started learning with the SBA (Small Business Administration). It’s given me so much insight into what I need to know as a business owner, along with tons of free resources. Education really is key in any venture. Now, I’m at the stage of putting together my Business Plan Binder, which means listing out every cost for my establishment. It’s tedious, but so necessary. I don’t want to present a business plan that’s just notes thrown together — I want to show something well-planned, thoughtful, and built with care.

My retreat sketch has mostly stayed the same, with just a few tweaks to the operations and garden layout. It’s funny — the more I visualize it, the more I want to offer my guests.

Everything I’m doing right now is about creating an amazing experience for them. I’ve stayed in places before where there was no consideration for simple comforts — no counter space in the bathroom, no room to unpack. It’s those little things that make all the difference in how comfortable a stay feels.

There’s nothing like being somewhere that feels perfectly thought-out. I found that once, years ago, in Sedona at The Butterfly Garden Inn. Unfortunately, when the owner sold it and the new management made changes, it just wasn’t the same. I recently learned that it closed — I’m not sure when, but it was sad to hear. We stayed there several times. It was a bit pricey, but we loved it — quiet, secluded, woodsy, simple, and refreshing.

At the time, I was working for Walmart, and right after inventory, I’d take a week off and stay there for three nights — just to rest and recharge after those long, heavy weeks. Then I’d go again in the fall before the holidays. It was my place.

That’s what I want Sunday Cottage Escape to be for others — a place to recharge and find peace away from the fast-paced, stressful world we all live in. Everyone needs a space now and then where time doesn’t matter, technology isn’t a priority, the news can wait, and a stranger feels like a neighbor. A place where quiet time means sitting on a bench, bird-watching instead of scrolling or watching TV.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in life that we don’t realize how fast it’s flying by. My vision is simple — a place that celebrates slow living, peace, and the beauty of just being.🌸