Saturday Business Interview, Featuring Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball
We have some fantastic local businesses that are going to be featured, typically on Saturdays. We try to keep the questions consistent from interview to interview (with some changes possible). Please send us fantastic businesses you love so that they can be featured! I hope you enjoy this series!
I am so excited to showcase Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball as part of our Saturday Business Feature series! The owner, Aaren Halencak, is a Local Mama to three little ones, including a 7 month old! I am so happy Aaren and I connected through this platform, her business is bringing so much joy to families in our area through her specialized yard designs. This Mama is what makes this business so special and amazing – she is truly talented, such a sweetheart, provides the absolute best customer service, and you can tell she really cares to put a smile on her client’s faces! If you have followed along in our stories, you may have seen my son’s reaction when he woke up to his birthday sign earlier this week! It was so simple to book and the yard designs speak for themselves – they look amazing! Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball worked with us to coordinate a time and then “snuck” into our yard the night before my son’s birthday and set it all up so that it would be up when he woke up! They will tailor the signs to fit your special celebration and try to incorporate favorites for your special person. My son was over the moon excited to see his sign with Star Wars, sports, and even his Yankees baseball team colors! Seeing the smile on his face as soon as he woke up and saw his sign was the absolute best. I love that this local business is spreading such joy to families, their signs are such a special touch especially during these times. I am happy to support this small local business and the amazing Mama behind it!
Meet Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball’s Owner: Aaren Halencak
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the area?
I grew up on a farm in North Texas near a town called Vernon, Texas. We have lived all over Texas due to my husband’s job, but have lived in Cypress for the past 4 years and love it!
Do you have any children? If so, what are their ages?
I have 3 children. 2 girls and one boy. My oldest daughter JUST turned 7 on July 4th, my middle daughter is 5 years old, and my son just turned 7 months old
Tell us about your business?
Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball is a yard greeting company serving Cypress, Tomball and surrounding areas providing quality, custom, one of a kind greetings for all of your life’s occasions. I offer prompt service and communication throughout your experience.
When did the idea of creating your business start? How long have you been in business?
After I had my son in December of 2019 I began looking and praying for ways to channel my creativity and passion for helping others, all while also being able to take care of my children as a stay at home mom. I prayed about it hoped God would send me an idea. I had always adored the yard greetings I had seen around the area and one day it hit me that this was a feasible and PERFECT outlet for me. Growing up birthdays, anniversaries, holidays were always (and still are) celebrated in a BIG way by my family. When the pandemic started I had to start homeschooling my kindergartener so my idea was put on the back burner for a few months. When summer hit and I had (a little) more time on my hands, I launched my business, finally, and it has been full steam ahead ever since. On June 5th , Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball was born! It has been a joy and such a blessing in my family’s life.
What is one thing you can point to that helped make your business successful?
I have had feedback that my customer service and response time set me apart. I like to get back with potential clients/clients ASAP. I use the golden rule “treat others how you would want to be treated”. Communication is KEY. MY business is very personal, I design each greeting by sketching it out and handpicking everything in it. I communicate the entire time with my clients while doing this. I also try my very hardest to fit in those last-minute, rush requests because of a cancelled party or difficult situation. I understand now more than ever that life can change on a dime and I want to be able to help and be there for those individuals and families that need some help celebrating!
What was your biggest challenge as a business and how did you overcome it?
Just being into my second month, I can say it more often than not it has been time management. I cover a pretty big area and want to serve everyone I can. I am only one person so that has been the most difficult thing so far. I have recruited my husband to help out when I know I am going to have a lot to do and that has made it a lot easier on me.
What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur? What is your favorite part about what you do?
I love having something I can call my own and have my kids watch me be “the boss”. I love being able to make my own hours and have my family be a part of this journey with me.
My favorite part about what I do is being able to serve others and bring joy to their lives. I love getting pictures the next day of my client’s and their greetings with big smiles on their faces. It makes it all worth it when I get to see those pictures. I do feel as though God led me to this business and has continued to be by my side and help it flourish.
What does the future look like for you and your business?
Right now, I am booking up quickly because it is just me doing it all. However, in the VERY near future, likely in the next 2 weeks, I will be hiring on a few “apprentices” to train and show the ropes so we can share MORE Yard Love. I hope to continue to grow and share Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball greetings with more people around our area. As I continue to grow I am adding onto my inventory and continuing to get more cute and dynamic displays to offer my clients as well.
What advice would you give to others that want to start something new?
My advice would be to take your time, do you research, pray for guidance, and then jump in and give it your all. It can be very scary opening your own business. However, you will never know what you could have accomplished if you don’t take a chance.
Any advice for juggling all the things in daily life?
HA! I am still figuring this out. With 3 children and a new business that truly feels like my 4th child I am just trying to savor every single precious moment while I am in them. In today’s world, that is tough, but having something else on my plate has opened my eyes to how each moment is fleeting and how much I want to be present in each one of them.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through?
Without a doubt, my husband. He helps and supports me daily. He is my sounding board and also helps me place and pick up signs. I have called him my “apprentice” but he has truly graduated from that and is great at it now! Also, my sweet kids, they tag along with me sometimes and “help” from a distance.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
My friends and clients in the community have shared their experiences with Yard Love – Cypress & Tomball and I can’t even begin to thank them enough. I have several friends who own their own businesses and we have supported each other through the openings of each of our businesses. This community is truly wonderful and I am so blessed to get to serve them in this way, sharing the yard love, during a not so fun time.
Any special message you’d like to share?
I am here for YOU, my community. I am local and will always remain dedicated to being responsive and personable to each of my clients and potential clients. That is something I will always offer. I craft each greeting with love and with my whole heart. That is why Yard Love is such an appropriate name for my business. I take into consideration the recipient and all of their preferences and communicate with them in detail. I truly enjoy what I am doing. This is not just a business for me, it has turned into an unexpected passion!
Check out Yard Love Cypress & Tomball and give them a follow on Facebook, instagram
