Guest Post – Robin Coste of HHBPL
Twenty-five or so years ago, I sat in the summer sun on a patio in a Seattle bar, sipping a beer alone. Having recently moved to Seattle from Los Angeles I did not know many people and had gotten used to doing things alone. On this day, at this particular bar, my motivation was not the beer but the fact I had a crush on the owner. I’d come in the hopes that he might notice me and return my crush. I did not know he had a girlfriend.
Turns out the girlfriend was sitting right next to me. I don’t know who started talking first but we spent the rest of the afternoon sharing our stories and laughing. Robin. Pretty blond, athletic, intelligent eyes that did not stray when I talked. A whole body listener – and this infectious laugh that gave me the feeling that the world was grande and ripe and interesting. Shortly into the conversation I realized she was dating said crush, but by this time he was long forgotten because when you find a friend for life you know it right away. I have been blessed with girlfriends of the soul mate variety in all stages of my life and Robin is one of them. And, as true girlfriends know, you don’t compromise a friendship over a boy.
She didn’t end up with that particular boy anyway. Later, she met the man of her dreams, got married, and moved to Portland to start a life with him. Although miles, the business of motherhood, and work, keep us from seeing one another as much as we’d like, when we do, it is as if no time has passed.
Recently, she started a project that is so inspiring I insisted she share if with my readers via my blog. I love risk-takers and people who are willing to put their heart into whatever they do. Her mantra (see below) is most certainly the way to live this one beautiful life we have. The way her business has unfolded is a true testament to one of my beliefs – when you do something you love, all good things come.
Below is her story. I hope you’ll be as inspired as I am. When you order your shirt (I know you’ll want one) be sure to send it to her a photo so she can post it on her site.
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HAPPY.HEALTHY.BALANCED.PEACEFUL.LIFE.
I came up with this mantra years because it both motivated me and gave me a measurement to aspire to. I decided to put these words on a shirt, at the prodding of my brother, in my handwriting, and am inspired every day from women who share their stories on why they want to wear this tee.
I gave one to my friend Stacey, who posted a picture of herself wearing it on Facebook, and people started asking about how to get one. By day 2 I had created a Gmail account to direct people to if they wanted to inquire about how to get my tee. During the next few weeks orders kept coming in. I humbly asked my friends, and their friends, if they would post a picture of themselves, in my tee on their FB wall. This is truly how my business started to pick up. Each day seeing new pictures of women, and sometimes their daughters in my shirts, has been such a gift. I am brought to tears often by the generosity and support from other women!
HHBPL tees are in 2 retailers in Oregon, Aries Apparel for Girls and Rachelle M. Rustic House of Fashion. I am also, and perhaps most proud of, partnering with Girls, Inc. of the Pacific Northwest. Girls, Inc. Their mission statement is:
Girls, Inc. of the Pacific Northwest Inspires girls ages 6-18 to be strong, bold and smart. Our gender specific programs and researched based curricula provide girls with the confidence and self-esteem to access a bright and economically independent future. We will be donating shirts to their Mind + Body Program which is for girls 12-18 years of age.
To order these tees (now in 3 styles) go to:
Website: Happyhealthybalancedpeacefullife.com
Twitter: @HHBPL
Instagram: ROBINSCHIFFCOSTE
Facebook: HHBPL
