Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Greely.
Hi Nadia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was younger, I was obsessed with bugs. I was constantly reading books and watching documentaries about them, trying to soak in as much information I could about these incredible creatures. I volunteered at MSU in their entomology department as a teenager, and I had my first pet tarantula at 14 years old. As I got older, I got married and had 4 kids, but the interest and love for bugs never left me. In 2021, I came up with the idea of an educational entertainment business to help people learn more about arthropods and understand that they are not as scary as they are made out to be. I truly believe that a lot of the fear that people have surrounding these creatures is based on misunderstanding and misinformation. My goal with Bugs on Wheels is to shed light on them and help dispel the fears that surround so many of them. One of the best ways to do that is to give them an up-close and personal experience with them. This year will be my 5th year doing this, and I am so proud and grateful of all of my own experiences along the way. The amount of schools, birthdays, festivals, libraries, camps, and even more that I have had the honor of being a part of has been more than I could have first imagined for this small business. Even on my most tired of days, my job brings me joy, and I have big plans for the future of Bugs on Wheels.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I can honestly say that since the birth of Bugs on Wheels, it has been pretty smooth crawling for me. 😉 I guess if I had to think of my biggest struggle, it’s been learning how to balance the life of being a full-time business owner as well as balancing the life of a single mom of 4 girls- especially during my busy summer season when they aren’t in school. Making my own schedule is a blessing, but when I am doing every aspect of the business on my own, it can get tricky at times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While I do not have a degree in entomology (and many assume I do because of my knowledge on arthopods), the passion that I have had as a young child surrounding these creatures, comes out in what I do. I work mainly with kids (though some of my favorite events are birthdays for adults that still love bugs like I do!), and while many kids love bugs and have a natural curiosity about them, some are very skeptical from the moment they see me and my little critters. However, one of my absolute favorite things as “The Bug Lady” is being able to see in real-time, a child go from being scared, to openly curious, to being brave enough to hold a tarantula or touch a scorpion, being super proud of themselves, and then deciding that they love bugs afterall. I have also had adults come up to me and say,”Before I met you and went to one of your shows, I would kill spiders that were in my house, but now I take them outside!” It makes me feel like I really am making a small difference for these creatures, and helping people to view them in a more positive light. Another thing I love about what I have created, is to give people a hands-on experience. You can see giant bugs in books, or see them in a zoo behind glass, but where else can you hold one of the worlds largest millipedes, hold a tarantula, watch a beetle play dead to protect itself, or see some of the prettiest and most interesting insect taxidermy, while also learn about the growth process of insects, as well as their importance to our planet? I will tell you- a Bugs on Wheels experience with me- “The Bug Lady”!
What makes you happy?
Quite simply, arthopods have been a source of joy for me for as long as I can remember. Even as an adult, I haven’t lost my fascination with them. My girls love nature as much as me, and sometimes when we are on a nature walk, I am lagging behind because I am distracted by a bug, and my kids will say something along the lines of, “Mom, you already have enough bugs! Catch up!” I love nature and other living creatures as a whole, and I also have a special place in my heart for the ocean and marine life. I am sure that if I grew up on the coast, I would be heavily involved in the study of marine life. Aside from living creatures (including my own kids haha), I also love coffee, my house plants, and naps. I also love to eat and try new foods. I am a huge foodie, and if I wasn’t doing what I do now, I’d love to be a food critic.
Pricing:
- $350 for one hour long session
- **multiple sessions or hours will be discounted.
- *schools also receive discounts
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bugsonwheelsexperience.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bugs_on_wheels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cj6mVf1ph/
