Today we’d like to introduce you to Gia Reynolds.
Hi Gia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I feel like my whole life has really trained me to be a great hostess without even knowing it. My earliest memory I was about 6 years old and I was making our families favorite cakes, and helping my grandmother set up for her Friday game night with her friends. Anyone who came to her home she always catered to them, and made them feel important and loved. and I took over the torch and pride myself on being a gracious host.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. It has actually taken me a long time to feel comfortable telling my story, then I realized, I can’t be ashamed of other people’s mistakes. Once I stopped carrying the guilt of others, it was like a huge weight was lifted off me. My parents were on drugs. My father was killed when I was really young. I don’t even have a memory of him. After that, I went to live with my grandmother and she raised me. I am the caring, loving, family woman and friend I am today from the love and guidance from my grandmother.
While headed to work one day I fell and as a result I had a serious back injury, and had to have corrective surgery. I laid in the bed recovering, and all I could think about was how I would never be able to host parties, and cater like I did in the past. While recovering I started formulating recipes and party ideas that I would do when I got better. I was determined not to let this injury keep me from my passion.
That’s how The HouseShoe Hostess was born.
I want people to feel comfortable and relaxed, eat delicious food, have drinks, and just be positive and support each other. When I have parties and company, I’ve been told I keep my home a little chillier than what people would like. As a result, for friends who visit often, I have house shoes and Snuggies for them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Food Blogger and I always show love with food. It’s the one thing that connects us all. In my opinion food is comfort. When I decided to do a Blog it was a no brainer on what I wanted it to be about Delicious Food Recipes, Love & Comfort. How to show the people in your life you care about them. I have accessible recipes for all levels of cooking in several different nationalities that I’ve put what I call my “GiaSpin” on. If you make any of The HouseShoe Hostess recipes you’re going to feel the love in it from me and generations of woman and men in my family that have also feed their families on them.
I’m obsessed with parties, tablescapes and holiday’s. So you will find a ton of inspiration on those as well. With anything I do I always try to live by a quote by Maya Angelou my grandmother would always say to me “People may not remember what you said, but they always remember how you made them feel.” I’ve always tried to make that my life mission.
I have to admit, I wasn’t pleased when friends, 10 years or so younger than me, would call me Mama Gia, and their kids called me Nana. Then a friend told me her mom passed and even though we’re friends when she’s with me I make her feel comfortable like her mom did. I thought that was the best compliment and now I welcome whomever calls me Mama Gia.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It’s hard to say “don’t let money be your motivator.” When money drives you, in my opinion, you get burned out and lose your passion. If you follow your passion, and give it 100%, the money will follow. Also, I had to change my thought process from “I would have done this differently than this person.” Everyone isn’t going to react in a situation the way you would, and I had to recognize and be okay with it.
Whatever your niche is, take as many classes or workshops you can. Invest in yourself.
Don’t compare your success, or how long it takes you to succeed, to others. Do your work, put in your time and try not to worry about others. It will make your process way harder if you don’t.
Contact Info:
- Email: Houseshoehostess@outlook.com
- Website: Houseshoehostess.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/
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TheHouseShoeHostess
