We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julia Kepler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julia below.

Hi Julia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I was asked to do some research for another business in Midland, MI. At the beginning it was exciting but as I kept pushing forward with it, it was like drudging through mud and I felt it was not going to work. I was asked then what will work and on the 2 hour drive home I wrote the business plan with full power point. It was so clear and vivid. The idea came so easily that how could it not be brought to fruition. My soul was on fire with the idea and i felt so strongly this is what I was meant to do. The experience was much different than the months spent before.

As I reflect back on how was it so clear and precise I came back with this: I believe if we can go back into our childhood and pin point our top 3-5 most vibrant positive memories the ones that spark our passion, we will find our purpose in life. For me those memories brought me to: I have always had an appreciation for other peoples art(whatever that is) and the differences and gifts we all share with this world and the desire to serve others.

I have a lot of creative and small batch maker friends and saw their struggle to be able to sell their products short of packing up every weekend and going to markets, bazaars, and the like taking precious time away from their families. Sometimes they were successful but sometimes not, which is life but seeing the struggle I knew I could help and that is where the vision of Serendipity Road stems from. Its this desire to serve, fill needs in my community, and see others meet their potential that has now lead to 2 more store openings Joyful Tantrum and Recess.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

(I might have answered part of this in my previous answer)

When I was 20 I left college and opened a small business I ran out of my home for roughly 10 years. When I was pregnant with my 3rd child I became a full time Home Executive(lol) a stay at home mom. That was my job and loved every minute of it. When I sent my youngest to 1st grade though I was left feeling empty and needed to find a new way to spend my days. I set my eyes on the Non-Profit sector at the time there was a project my husband brought to my attention that he was helping with that was with my favorite non-profit. I initially told him to keep me out of it but one day after a meeting he said we need your talents-please look at these blueprints. After that I was all in and I helped open a thrift shop for our local Shelterhouse and followed a couple years later a volunteer run grocery store for the A.L.I.C.E. Population in our region-The Bridge. My desire to serve others and build my community helped create Our mission; At Serendipity Road, everyday on our path in life brings forth fabulous and unexpected opportunities to make life joy filled is the true driving force behind our companies and is what really sets us apart and guides all of our decisions along with our Vision Statement.

To the nitty gritty of it though Serendipity Road is a small business that supports small business in the form of a gift boutique. With over 100 makers from Michigan and 50 others from around the US and Canada. We truly work to build our economic impact in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond by building up individuals. With that in mind what about our youngest minds and that is where Joyful Tantrum comes in-a toy store unplugged so you can plug in with those you love.. You remember what I said previously about how if we can go back to 3-5 of the memories of our youth we will find our passion? Having young people able to have toys and opportunities that sparke their imaginations of what could be, what they could be, to provide a place and space to shop for gifts that can inspire you and those you love to discover their full potential is my hearts work.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

We opened Serendipity Road in August of 2017 and in January of 2019 I felt we should open a toy store. I knew from research I had did that all successful downtowns have somethings in common and one of them is a toy store. With limited spaces available in our downtown i was determined to find a space to 1. Add value in our downtown 2. For it to be successful With so many no’s over 9 months you can imagine how frustrating it was becoming. I however fully believe the no’s are Heavenly Fathers way of leading you to the yes and the right timing. During this time My Moxie Crew all graduated from college over the last year and in a month of each other had found their post college jobs. I had spent the summer building up a new team and had not taken family vacation all summer or even a weekend. I had young teens at the time and the mom guilt was real and all I wanted was a vacation with them., a time to disconnect As I was packing up for this much needed vacation a perfect space with a perfect location-right next door became available but the timing was not feeling so great. There I stood folding clothes into a suitcase on the verge of tears when all the months of stress bubbled to the surface and I exclaim. “I have no idea why I feel like I should open a toy store.” And as if the universe had not heard me I said again with much more feeling and volume. I fell silent and my husband David said, “So tell me again you don’t know why we should open a toy store?’ In that moment of silence the thought came so loud in my head like hearing a voice from heaven-“The children need what you are going to create.” We took the most fabulous vacation and came home hitting the ground running and after all the months of obstacles everything from that day in my living room in tears went smoothly.. We took possession of the building November 1st and did as much construction as we could in 3 days and opened for our downtowns Holiday Open house on the 8th.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I don’t know why but at the beginning of opening my business I would always say I need that person or that person to run the business. I can’t do it without them. It took me a good year to actually flip that switch in my head. No you were inspired with this idea and you have all you need to run your business the way it needs to run. I certainly cant do it all myself but I have everything in me to move it forward, including looking for the right people to fill the Moxie Crew.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.serendipityroadjoyfultantrum.com
• Instagram: HTTPS://www.instagram.com/Serendipityroadmi. Https://www.instagram.com/joyfultantrum
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SerendipityRoadMI HTTPS://www.facebook.com/joyfultantrum

Image Credits
Julia Kepler LeeAnn Rielle Evie & Jr. Photography