• Feature Friday | Ivory + Bliss x The Pretty Golden

    Feature Friday | Ivory + Bliss x The Pretty Golden

    Ivory + Bliss is a lifestyle & wedding photography business based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with experience shooting over 300 weddings. The Pretty Golden is a creative outlet turned dreamy wedding planning & decor company that marries good design and a good experience. Last year we had the joy of working with Lindsay, the owner + photographer of Ivory + Bliss and The Pretty Golden, for her thirty three inspired birthday shoot and WOW her eye for design and details is next level. Lindsay shines with creativity, a passion for weddings and truly finds the pretty in everything. Her instagram accounts and websites are beyond gorgeous and are a look into how insanely talented Lindsay is (check them out you will not regret it)!

    Let’s Get Down To Business

    NAME AND OCCUPATION

    Lindsay Goedken, Owner + Photographer of Ivory+Bliss, The Pretty Golden, Creative

    BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS

    Ivory + Bliss is a women led photographer team focusing on weddings + lifestyle photography! The Pretty Golden offers custom decor + signage rentals, event planning + day of coordinating.

    HOW DID Ivory + bliss COME TO LIFE & WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE IT’S CREATION?

    I actually went to school for Social Work at the University of Iowa, and I had just graduated when I bought my first camera. I was planning on going back to school to get my masters and in the meantime I took a few sessions for some friends and family, It completely snowballed from there and by the end of the year I remember my husband Nate telling me “I don’t think you need to go back to school, I think you already have a full time job with photography!” It was the biggest leap of faith and scary since I had my life completely planned out otherwise, but 11 years later, here we are! It’s been the best blessing and I am so grateful that I love what I do!

    What is your favorite thing about running a photography businesS?

    My absolute favorite thing about being a photographer is the relationships we get to form, hands down. It’s such an honor to be trusted with these incredible moments for people and being able to witness people in pure joy. Knowing that we completely got them throughout the experience is such a treat, as cliche as it sounds!

    WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

    I think a lot of people think that they have to have everything completely figured out and will have guaranteed success before they hit the ground running, and I think that that can be really daunting and overwhelming. The biggest thing that helped me was investing and gaining support from people who knew more about running a business than me, like my accountant, tax person, business mentor etc, so that I could just focus on my passion and desire of growing the business, being creative and doing what I love! Since I had that awesome foundation built, It just all grew from there! 

    Tell Us More

    IF YOU HAD TO EAT ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    Chicken nuggets + french fries, 1000%

    ON YOUR DAYS OFF, FAVORITE THING TO DO?

    Your classic Netflix + Snuggling in bed of course! With a touch of online shopping 😉 

    WHAT IS YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE?

    Big fan of anything Cold Brew + Cold Foam 

    GO-TO OUTFIT?

    I’d love to say a power suit, but most days you can find me in my comfiest self proclaimed “fart pants” as I like to call them, lol the coziest sweater and fuzzy socks.

    CURRENT FAVORITE SHOW?

    Forever obsessed with Stranger Things (check out her amazing watch party)

    TELL US 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESSES:
    CONNECT WITH IVORY + BLISS AND THE PRETTY GOLDEN

    PHOTO CREDIT: Ivory + Bliss

  • Feature Friday | Oliva Willow

    Feature Friday | Oliva Willow

    Oliva Willow is a wedding design company based in the midwest, but travels worldwide to create personal & authentic wedding designs. We have had the honor of working with Sarah, the founder & lead designer, several times over the past year and it is always the best. Her skills are next level, creating memorable designs for extraordinary couples (as their insta bio says). She radiates so much joy & passion for all things weddings and you can definitely see that in her designs. 

    Let’s Get Down To Business

    NAME AND OCCUPATION

    Sarah Turner from Oliva Willow, Wedding Planner

    BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS

    We are creators of memories celebrations for people madly in love.

    HOW DID OLIVA WILLOW COME TO LIFE & WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE IT’S CREATION?

    Oliva Willow came to life after three years of interning for top wedding planning firms throughout the United States and Spain. After graduating from my undergrad with a degree in Business Administration, it was a no-brainer that it was time to take my passion of luxury wedding designing to the next level. While this is only the beginning, I am eager to see where Oliva Willow goes in the next decade.

    WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT RUNNING A WEDDING PLANNING + DESIGN BUSINESS?

    I am around couples madly in love every! single! day! I can’t think of anything better. BUT besides the incredible couples that I get to work alongside, I love the challenge destination wedding planning brings. Every wedding is different. Every destination brings in a whole new team of talented vendors that I am able to create with. Designs are taken way outside of the box and I thrive on figuring out all of the logistics on making the couple’s dream celebration a reality.

    WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

    Do what excites. If you have a passion and it sparks a fire in your heart every second that you think about it, work hard and make it a reality. Easy? Absolutely not. Worth it. Absolutely.

    Tell Us More

    IF YOU HAD TO EAT ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    BREAKFAST BURRITOS. Eggs, Cheese, Potatoes, Bacon, wrapped in a warm tortilla. Gimmmme.

    ON YOUR DAYS OFF, FAVORITE THING TO DO?

    You can find me either on a plane or in the car traveling miles searching for the quaintest Airbnbs or boutique hotels that this world has to offer.

    WHAT IS YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE?

    Iced water with fresh lemon — a must!  

    GO-TO OUTFIT?

    Heels and a blazer, too much? never. 

    CURRENT FAVORITE SHOW?

    Should I be embarrassed and admit that I binged Emily in Paris yesterday? Whoops.

    TELL US 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESSES:

    Just three?

    CONNECT WITH OLIVA WILLOW

  • Feature Friday | Rooted Plant + Coffee Shop

    Feature Friday | Rooted Plant + Coffee Shop

    If only we could all have a Rooted Plant + Coffee Shop in our town. Katie, the owner, is the definition of a girl BOSS. She not only owns the most aesthetically pleasing plant + coffee shop, but also is an incredibly talented florist with her other business Indigo Row Floral Design. We love her passion for entrepreneurship & obsessed with following along on insta to see the creative + fun things they are up to.

    Let’s Get Down To Business

    NAME AND OCCUPATION

    Katie Van Zee – Entrepreneur 

    BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS

    I own Rooted Plant + Coffee Shop where I combined my love of houseplants with my love of coffee and created a place where people could enjoy both! We are located in Rock Valley, IA. I also own Indigo Row Floral Design where we design unique wedding florals for local and destination brides! 

    HOW DID ROOTED COME TO LIFE & WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE IT’S CREATION?

    Rooted really began with my first company, Indigo Row. I was operating a small floral shop where we sold house plants and other gift items. I decided to go a different direction with Indigo Row and focus on wedding design. I have always loved houseplants and I did not want to let that side of my business go – so I started Rooted. We originally were just selling houseplants in my home town of Inwood – but we quickly outgrew the space and needed something more. I knew that I wanted to expand this business so we added coffee! It was such a rollercoaster (we decided to move + add coffee a month before opening!!!) but I cannot imagine myself doing anything else! 

    WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT RUNNING A COFFEE + PLANT SHOP?

    I have always been a creative person and one of my favorite things is coming up with fresh ideas that people in the area might not have seen before! Whether it’s displaying unique houseplants, creating coffee flights, or adding outdoor igloo tents – I am here for it all! I love having an idea and being able to put it into action right away. 

    WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

    DO IT. It is honestly one of the most rewarding things I have ever done! I started my business at 19 and I have never looked back. Surround yourself with people who will support you and put in the hard work and you will succeed! 

    Tell Us More

    IF YOU HAD TO EAT ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    TACOS – but I need all the fixins.

    ON YOUR DAYS OFF, FAVORITE THING TO DO?

    In the summer it would be spending as much time by the water as possible. In the winter it would definitely be sitting on my couch binge watching true crime documentaries.

    WHAT IS YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE?

    I have all the options in the world and I still choose a basic vanilla latte every time. 

    GO-TO OUTFIT?

    Anything comfortable – if I cannot move well in it I will not wear it. 

    CURRENT FAVORITE SHOW?

    Ozark + Yellowstone

    TELL US 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESSES:
    CONNECT WITH ROOTED PLANT + COFFEE SHOP
    • visit the shop in Rock Valley, IA (seasonal coffee flights?! yes please)
    • @rooted_plantshop on insta 
    • check out their dreamy website

  • Feature Friday | ap FILM & PHOTO

    Feature Friday | ap FILM & PHOTO

    For 2022 & beyond we have made it a goal to show some love for all of the amazing small businesses that we have connected with over the past year. We are extremely excited to introduce for the first time…Feature Friday! Every Friday we will be spotlighting a different business by sharing what they are all about & to inspire others to maybe even start their own business.

    We love ap FILM & PHOTO over here at Mariglow (you can find her images all over our website & instagram)! The owner, Ashlee is incredibly talented at what she does & captures the most beautiful images. Not to mention she is so fun & authentic, every session is guaranteed to be a good time.

    Let’s Get Down To Business

    NAME AND OCCUPATION

    ap FILM & PHOTO is a photography and videography service.

    BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS

    ap FILM & PHOTO offers warm, timeless captures of families, couples, maternity, boudoir, lifestyle and portraits as well as wedding photography and videography! 

    HOW DID AP COME TO LIFE & WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE IT’S CREATION?

    It all started in college when I got my first camera. I studied Digital Marketing and production at the University of Northern Iowa and started playing with photography as a hobby. When I graduated with my BS I immediately started a job with a local company making their online video content and eventually their broadcast TV commercials. All awhile I was brewing my photography business on the side which eventually came to life full-scale in July 2020.

    WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT RUNNING A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS?

    I love meeting new people and the constant growth being a photographer and business owner entails. Delivering someone images of their love and joy, as I see it, is very rewarding! In addition, I am constantly being challenged – I don’t imagine I’ll ever get bored doing this! 

    WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

    Pour yourself into it and you’ll see a great return and if you’re true to yourself- it’ll never feel like work.

    Tell Us More

    IF YOU HAD TO EAT ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    To be specific, thin crust pizza. To be even more specific, this crust pizza from Pizza World Cedar Rapids.

    ON YOUR DAYS OFF, FAVORITE THING TO DO?

    Days off are always an excuse to plan something with my friends, hang out with my pets on the couch or make a HomeGoods run.

    WHAT IS YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE?

    Celsius, can’t go a day without it.

    GO-TO OUTFIT?

    Honestly, more often than not you’ll catch me in an ap FILM & PHOTO sweatshirt, leggings and slip-on vans, haha! 

    CURRENT FAVORITE SHOW?

    I’m more of a movie gal, I’m probably rewatching Annihilation for the 1,000th time as we speak. But if I had to pick a show, one of my favorites ever was a Danish series called “The Rain”.

    TELL US 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESSES:
    CONNECT WITH ASHLEE

    PHOTO CREDIT: ap FILM & PHOTO