All Posts By

Mimi

Living

Finally Breaking Down and Using Credit to Build My Business

August 14, 2021

This post is sponsored by Lexington Law but all opinions are my own. https://www.lexingtonlaw.com/disclaimer.

As a small business owner I chose to build the early stages of Unlikely Market with cash. However, my desire to move my business in a new direction as well as be more consistent with growing it from a small operation to a larger one, has made me realize that I will need to tap into my credit to make the moves I envision for my business. 

I won’t lie and say it hasn’t been hard to charge large amounts, but it has been an amazing feeling to know that the credit is available to me and that’s because I’ve taken the time to understand how credit works, and be diligent about my overall credit health.

In all honesty my credit has had challenges in the past, to the point that I wasn’t sure how to rebound and was for lack of better words defeated at the thought of what it would take to come back from a few bad decisions and curve balls that life threw us along the way.

One day I took one step, I ordered my credit report. Then I candidly talked to a friend who has excellent credit and asked her for some tips, and from there I became a little obsessed with my score and credit card utilization. From there everything moved on up.

If you are in a position where you don’t know where to start, Lexington Law is an option to look into that offers you help in the areas of credit repair, removal of incorrect items from your credit report, credit coaching, and credit monitoring. Credit is a mix of things, and as I continue to learn it’s quite interesting seeing how all the pieces work together. I have spent my time with Lexington Law learning how to maximize my credit utilization while making sure low balances are reported and that has made such a difference in my score. I’m actually in awe!

Whether you are trying to fund a business, buy a home, a car, or like me looking to open a brick and mortar store in the next year or so you’ll need your credit. Get the help you need so you can achieve those goals. Visit Lexington Law for a free consultation! 

 

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Scored a Clawfoot Tub on a Backroad. What’s Next?

June 11, 2021

When I tell you a clawfoot tub has been on my wish list forever, believe me the first time. I have actually put off any real strides toward renovating our master bathroom because I just knew the perfect tub was somewhere with my name on it… at a decent price.

On a chance encounter with a quiet backroad very early on a Saturday morning dropping my car to the mechanic, I spotted a clawfoot on the side of the road. My husband was already already too far ahead of me to turn around, so I called him and told him I wanted to stop back by on our way home.

Twenty minutes later we were parked on the side checking out the tub. It was still very early in the morning so I jotted down the number fully expecting it to be out of my price range, yet counting down the minutes to 9a so I could give the number a call. Like with all the anxiety that someone had already beat me to it.

I texted at 8a, and when I didn’t get a response I called around 9a.Fully expecting to pay around $650-$800 for the tub cause that’s the going rate, I was extremely shocked the tub wasn’t sold AND that he only wanted $450 for it. Ya’ll Favor ain’t fair. Not only was it only $450 he even volunteered to deliver it since he was local and it was already on a trailer that he could easily hitch to his car.

Prior to delivering the tub, he called to make sure I still wanted it. He mentioned there was a man at his house that stated he had called the night before to ask about the tub but didn’t get a callback. The seller said since he didn’t see a message or a missed call from the man he thought it was only fair that he double double-check with me since I was the first person he spoke with. I confirmed that I wanted MY tub, we set up a delivery time and he dropped it off.

Y’ALL!!! Favor ain’t fair!

Turns out it is an original Standard tub, I could probably sell it on FB marketplace for more than I paid for it, but NOPE.

So if you watched me on Instagram you already heard all this before, thanks for sticking around to see what’s next!

Mimi, you’ve had that tub for over a month, what are your plans?

Glad you asked!

When we do renovations around our home we pay cash for them, so the budget is real. I’ve decided to break the project down into a few stages.

First Stage:

We hope to embark on the first stage by the end of July. We need to get the original soaker tub out, we plan to have a roll-off dumpster dropped off at the house so we can remove the existing tub and (the rest of the junk in here that we don’t need). Once we have the tub out, one of my good neighbors owns a plumbing company, we’ll have him come in and give us a quote on how much the plumbing is going to cost. We hope to have that part completed by the end of August so we can start laying the tile.

Here is an example of the type of fixture I’m looking to have installed.

Source

 

In the interim, while the tub is in decent shape it’s likely that we’ll need to add another coat of glaze to it so it’s nice and shiny. We’ll likely DIY that part so stay tuned! Once we’re ready to move forward with the style direction of the bathroom, I’ll share photos of the current space.

Make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter or following me on Instagram so you don’t miss any of the progress.

Living

Black Butterfly

May 16, 2021

Last week I had a moment. And I took it.

No matter what we know about how great we are, and how joyful certain areas of our lives are, *insert a random insecurity* always seems to creep in.

I reached out to a friend last week, I’d been putting it off not wanting to bother her but finally did, and I’m so happy I followed through.

Early on in our conversation I mentioned that I had set a self-imposed timeline on myself to accomplish a few things, and at the end of our call she recalled my statement and reminded me in a nutshell that placing the pressure of time on ourselves isn’t necessary. It’s only necessary that we give our all to whatever that thing, that dream is consistently. Time will pass and as long as we strive towards the goal daily, we are doing just fine.

In case you needed that word like I did… keep moving!

…and here’s my favorite verse from Deniece Williams’ song “Black Butterfly”…it seems fitting all the way around!

Black Butterfly, sail across the waters
Tell your sons and daughters what the struggle brings
Black Butterfly, set the skies on fire
Rise up even higher
So the wind can catch your wings

Go Fly, friends!

Living

What I’m Reading in May +New “Reader” T-shirt

April 22, 2021

I’m starting to think instead of putting a number on the amount of books I want to read in a year, I should just read.

Read, and document what I read cause that number is always looming over my head, and at this point, it’s pretty likely I won’t hit my reading goal for the year. I’m currently 14 books behind, I guess I could technically catch up, but right now I’m enjoying spending my evenings outdoors in the garden, and by the time I get in and settle down to read after cooking, cleaning, you know the usual, the book is reading me…cause I’m sleep.

Nonetheless, there are a few books I would love to get through in May. I’m normally drawn to heavy books, next month as summer really starts to set in I’m committed to trying more lighthearted reads that won’t weigh on my heart and are quick easy reads… just in case I want to still try to hit that reading goal for the year!

Before we get into the book list, on Unlikely Market, I just added the popular “Reader” design in a T-shirt just in time for summer. Head over to get one for yourself or your favorite reader! Click here to purchase.

On to the book list!

Next month I would like to get through five books to include:

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This one was written by the author of Daisy Jones and the Six, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. LOVED both of those, hope this one doesn’t disappoint.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: I love a good memoir, this one highlights the story of Nike’s founder.

The Hand I Fan With by Tina McElroy Ansa: I’ve heard so many good things about this one. Going to give it a go.

32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter: This one’s been on my list for a while, and after reading the reviews it earned a spot on this month’s reading list.

The last spot on May’s list is reserved for my book club read.

What’s on your reading list for May?! Send me all the light-hearted, fun reads for summer!

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