Vero Beach Moms - Part 3: A Vero Beach Mother's Perspective

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What does it mean to truly find your place in a community? Calah, founder of Vero Beach Moms Nonprofit, takes us on a heartfelt journey through her experiences raising children in this charming coastal town and her mission to create spaces where every mother feels valued and seen.

The conversation begins with what makes Vero Beach special, its preserved small-town atmosphere, characterized by few beachside high-rises and a thriving small business community. Calah shares how raising her daughter (now 24) and son (10) here has connected her deeply to the area, shaping her understanding of what mothers need to thrive. "You make your home where you're at," she reflects, explaining how Vero Beach became the canvas for her personal growth and community vision.

We explore hidden gems of connection throughout town, from sunset beach walks that "do something for the soul" to local businesses. Calah opens up about finding deeper relationships through church Bible studies and women's groups, noting that true community requires going beyond surface-level participation. She shares touching stories of mothers who've found best friends, jobs, and support systems through her nonprofit's Facebook page.

The conversation shifts to resources for busy families, including the Buggy Bunch, church programs, and Treasure Coast Girls Coalition. Calah also reveals her entrepreneurial side as co-owner of Indian River Aluminum and Glass with her husband, whose exceptional solo installation work has impressed clients across the county. Her vision for Vero Beach Moms' future includes a dedicated facility with event spaces, teen programs, and expanded initiatives covering everything from mental health to nutrition – all aimed at creating a haven where women of all ages can find community, however that looks for them.

Ready to connect with a supportive community of mothers or discover what makes Vero Beach special? Follow Vero Beach Moms Nonprofit and learn how finding your place can transform your experience of motherhood and small-town living.

Presented by Killer Bee Marketing
Helping local businesses in Vero Beach connect with their neighbors.

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Episode Transcript

Brian (00:00):
All right, well, welcome back to the Vero Beach podcast.

Shawna (00:02):
This is part three with I almost said Calah that time I
can't with you, kayla, you haveto leave that part in there
where she just said I can't withyou.

Brian (00:14):
It was so funny it might not have picked it up, but we'll
see it did, it, did.
I know, Calah, we're excited totalk to you about Vero Beach.
What do you love about VeroBeach?
And I'm going to take a littlebit some new spins on this
episode too.

Shawna (00:27):
Yeah, I'm excited to see what this is about All right,
Okay.

Brian (00:29):
So let's start with the question what makes Vero Beach
special to you?

Calah (00:33):
Well, vero Beach is where I had my daughter and where I
had my son, so I, you know,connect with the community a lot
because of that and I just wasable, I've been able to raise my
first daughter here.
She's 24 and now I have my son,who's 10.
So I just love that and I lovethe small town feel I feel like

(00:53):
Vero Beach still has that weonly have a few high rises
beachside.
So I just think that Vero Beachis just still has a small town
feel and I love the communityand and I love all the small
businesses and everything thatyou know Vero Beach has to offer
.
Just love it.
Same here.

Shawna (01:06):
That's how we feel.
Yeah, how would you say, livingin Vero has shaped you as a mom
.

Calah (01:12):
I would say it's shaped me as a mom because I've grown
up basically here.
So having my daughter so young,it's kind of like you make your
home where you're at right.
Anywhere that you're at, youmake your home.
You make it your community, andso I would say Vero Beach
itself has a really big part ofmy heart.
I've had a lot of growth here.
I would say that was, thatwould be probably the biggest
thing that you know Vero Beachhas done for me.

Brian (01:33):
When it comes to the word community, what does that mean
to you?
When it comes to community herein Vero Beach and with the moms
?

Calah (01:39):
Well, I mean, it kind of brings me back to my mission,
you know, for the nonprofit forevery mom to find her place.
So I feel people are lookingfor that.
When you're in a community,you're looking for relationships
, you know, let's just be honest.
You go into a place maybe yougo into a restaurant that you go
into all the time, like, andthey know your name, they're
like oh, hi, brian, hi Shauna,or hi, same thing Like you

(02:02):
belong to a church and you go inand you find a place of rest.
You find a place where you'rewhere you're, where you're
valued and you know seen, and so, um, back in the day, I used to
be the bar, but I no longerdrink.
So I mean, you know, if anybodydoes.
I'm not judging, but it's kindof that thing where you, you,
you know people and you, youknow, you feel you're a part of
a wonderful community and youhave relationships with people,

(02:23):
yeah, yeah.

Shawna (02:24):
That's beautiful.
I love that.
Have you found any unexpectedlittle places in Vero, that that
you find that community Likekind of when you just said going
into a restaurant and someonerecognizes you?
That's how my favorite coffeeshop, that's how I feel, Like
they recognize me when I walk in.
I love that.
Do you have any little placeslike that?
Yeah Well, this is a shout out.

Calah (02:42):
So you're welcome, but Danielle little places like that
.

Brian (02:45):
Yeah Well, this is a shout out, so you're welcome,
but Danielle.

Calah (02:49):
This episode is all about shout outs.
So Danielle, who runs a VVN,you know she opened up her store
I think it was last fall and Ireally, I really love the
connection that she has madewithin a community and open up a
store for people to come in andshop local gifts and local
businesses too.
And she has the wall where youhave all the business, where she
has all the business cards foreverybody.
So I love that.
I love that.
That's really a small town feelto me.

(03:10):
Right there she has a business,but she's also supporting other
businesses which we love, asVero Beach Moms Nonprofit Also.
I'll go into my church.
I go to Calvary Chapel.
I love it.
That's another one that I justfully support.
I've been a big part of theirwomen's Bible study.

(03:30):
I've been going to it for thepast three or four years and I
will say and it might sound alittle funny but if you just go
to church on Sunday mornings,it's really hard to build those
personal relationships.
So I feel like if you're goingto Bible study or you're a part
of other fellowship, homefellowships, you're able to
build those relationships.
So when you do go Sunday morning, you're like you know people
because, going to church can belonely too, and I found myself

(03:50):
not going honestly for manyyears because of that.
But anyways, yeah, I think thatthat's really important.
You know, you kind of make itwhat you put into it, that's so
true.

Brian (03:58):
I think that it's kind of like, even when you think about
social media, you can have somany followers but it can be
very lonely.
So even going to a church oreven even if you're a part of a
big business like where you havea large team, if you're not
connecting with them outsidethat or trying to build those
relationships, it can still feelpretty lonely.
It's like, well, I mean, weinterviewed Danielle from
resistance and it's literallylike different Danielle but

(04:20):
she's like like their studio islike not even five minutes from
us.
So we have memberships there now.
We love it and we've got toconnect with more and more
people through the classes, thestudents, the trainers, and
we're building the community.
It's like you can findcommunity in so many different
places and this is a little bitdifferent.
This is where I'm talking about, like a little bit different
spin.
I don't know where this isgoing to go, but we're going to
see.

(04:40):
It mentions that in everycorner of Vero Beach there's a
mother navigating the juggle,the joy, the chaos and the quiet
moments that define theirseason of life.
So I love how that really justpaints that picture.
It's such a real picture ofwhat it's like in life as a mom
Well, not that I'm a mom, but Ican kind of try to visualize it

(05:00):
but let's talk there.
So I'm still not joining theFacebook group.
Quit asking.

Calah (05:07):
To be clear, I'm not asking, so no worries, no
worries.

Brian (05:12):
Hey, gotta be real.
Here you guys are in a safeplace.
I am not allowed in there.
So I'd love to ask you justsome few questions around the
places around town that mighthold meaning for you as a mom or
as a leader or just someoneliving life here.
So when I was reading thatabout the quiet moment, so is
there a spot in Vero where youlike to go just to breathe and
reset?

Calah (05:33):
One of the spots I really like it could be any part of
the beach side.
Let's just be real, it'sbeautiful.
But I've talked to many peopleand that haven't done this and I
really encourage them to dothis is go at sunset.
You really find that quietspace and that time to you know.
However, however, whatever youbelieve in, you know, but for me

(05:53):
it's, it's that time with Godto see what he has created and
how wonderful he is.
It really does something forthe soul.

Brian (05:59):
Yeah, you know, I love that.
You pointed that out becausenow that we live here, we
started going out in theevenings.
We try to at least go out onceor twice a week to go down to
the beach and just walk at nightand I didn't think I would like
it because the sun doesn't setover the water, but I actually
really love it because the wayit lights up the water is so
much different and it's verylike you said, you're right on,
it's a magical moment and it'speaceful and you can really

(06:23):
process your thoughts, pray asyou walk down the beach.
So I love that.
All right, so let's talk aboutthe juggle or the jungle.
Enjoy, okay, the juggle, enjoy.

Calah (06:34):
It's called the jungle.

Brian (06:36):
Jungle.
Enjoy, sorry.
What are some local places orroutines that make life easier
for moms that are juggling afull plate?

Calah (06:45):
I would say for moms with younger kids, I would say, you
know, joining the Buggy Bunch.
They've been around for areally long time.
They're a wonderful Christianorganization and I know that
they have many programs.
You just go to their websiteand check it all out.
You know the churches have alot of children's programs as

(07:06):
well.
Again, you know that's verynear and dear to my heart.
I think it's really important tobe able to get involved with
churches and also othernonprofit organizations Treasure
Coast Girls Coalition.
We have recently collaboratedwith them.
We did a back to schoolgiveaway with them just on
Sunday.
They have some amazing programsfor moms that need it after
school programs, tutoring.
There's a lot, there's a lotthat moms can do.

(07:28):
But that's the point of ushaving our page and we can
reference and we can guide momsto providing those fun things
and resources.
But Vero Beach is a small town.
Again, we have the beach, wehave the parks, we have the
bowling alley, the movie theater.
We don't have big jump parksand all those things.
But I think that's what makesit so special.

Brian (07:45):
Do you have like a resource page on your site that
points people to some of theseplaces?

Calah (07:49):
I appreciate you asking that we are going to be adding
that to the website at somepoint.
I'm going to have to break thenews to Tracy.

Shawna (07:55):
I want to add one more thing to her list.

Calah (07:58):
Try not to do that, but yeah, so we will have that.
Yes, and anytime anybody asks,we always answer Awesome, and
sometimes it's not even meanswering because I'm the only
admin on the page, so it's likethe community of mothers.

Shawna (08:09):
I love that yeah.

Calah (08:10):
Everything from I'm looking for a preschool or a
college or a doctor or you know,questions about medication or
whatever.
I mean whatever it is.
I mean I've had multiple momscome to me and go hey, because
of your page I found my bestfriend.
I moved here from.
Virginia.
Two years ago, I found my bestfriend or I found a job or
whatever it is and I'm like,okay, thank you.
Thank you, Lord, for thatblessing and I am so thankful to

(08:33):
hear that because it's helpedthem.

Brian (08:35):
Yeah, and I actually.
I was just thinking if you knowanybody or anybody's listening,
you can go to myvirobeachcom.

Shawna (08:51):
We have a direct runner where you can go and search.

Calah (08:53):
Just type in a search and it'll bring up places and if
you have an organization orbusiness, you can add your
listing for free.

Shawna (08:57):
Okay, okay, okay, okay.
Well, all of a sudden I waslike then I didn't have the
words anymore.
Cause it was added in too soit's like you have to kind of I
know.

Calah (09:03):
I'm the same way.

Shawna (09:04):
Besides running the nonprofit, what else do you have
going on in Vero Beach?

Calah (09:09):
So, yes, my husband and I opened up a window and door
business a year ago, year and ahalf ago.
It's called Indian RiverAluminum and Glass.
My husband is the only one thatinstalls and yes, I will
definitely say it, he is a veryamazing man.
He is a very hard worker.
Actually, a lot of our clientshave been like are you serious,
you did this job by yourself,because usually it takes at

(09:30):
least a team of men.
Yeah, he's very talented.
I'm just the one that startedthe business and do a little bit
of the sales and marketingbehind, but it really is.
It's his baby.
He's very knowledgeable and hehas over 15 years experience.
So very proud of my husband andfor what he does, and he's
passed every single inspectionwith the county Wow.

Brian (09:48):
And I'm going to say it.
That's amazing.
I'm going to brag on him for aminute.
You go, Jason.
Yeah Well, how can people learnmore about your guys' other
business?

Calah (09:55):
Yeah, so truthfully, we do have a Facebook page, but
it's very new.
So we do share a lot on VBNwith Danielle's page and we have
gotten business from that.
So, most of the business we'vegotten is either through word of
mouth, through people that knowus, or VBN, and we also have a
website and what's the?
Website.
Indian River Aluminum and Glass.

Brian (10:13):
Well, thank you for sharing that.
That's awesome, thank you.

Shawna (10:16):
So, as a last question, what is your dream for the
future of the Vero Beach Moms?

Calah (10:25):
I've been waiting for this question.
So my biggest dream and mybiggest prayer for Vero Beach
Moms nonprofit is for it to be astaple, to align with what the
community of mothers need andlet's just go further to have a
place for them to come to mydream and what I have proposed
and for women to be able to comein and they have an office
space.
We have a meeting space, wehave a big facility where we can
do events.
There we can do all of ourevents and within our own

(10:47):
facility we can throw babyshowers for moms, we can throw
birthday parties for, and theywill be donated Maybe a closet
for the kids.
But one thing I will say is wereally want to have something
for teens.
We do know and this has beenreally close to my heart that
something is missing for teensin our area.
We'd love to have somethingthere.
I don't know what that wouldlook like yet, sure, because you
know, sometimes things changeand so the vision may change but

(11:10):
to really have a place thatpeople can come to, where moms
know that they're safe and theyhave a place to rest and a
coffee hub, I'd love to have alittle coffee hub in there.
That would be amazing, you know,women from the age 20 all the
way up to 60, we want them tohave this place of community,
however that looks, you know, wewant to be able to provide that

(11:30):
for them.
So that would be my biggestdream.
The second part to that wouldbe the offspring of the
SheStrong initiative.
So the main program obviouslywill be providing luncheons to
the community and support ofother providers, but we wanted
to add in additional programs tothat and that would be like
healthy cooking classes, but tobe able to bring in more

(11:51):
community support and includethe kids.
And then also Crystal, who justopened up JoyFit.
She's part of my networking andSheStrong and she's an amazing
lady.
I just love her.
I connected with her prettydeeply to maybe have, you know,
fitness classes, you know.
So it's all going to collideEverything business, mental
health, you know, dietarynutrition, you name it.

(12:11):
We're going to try to haveoffspring programs within the
SheStrong program.

Brian (12:15):
I love that.
That's awesome.
Yeah, again, you're so muchstronger together in the
community 100%, so that'sexciting.
That's exciting.
Well, Calah, this has beengreat having you on the podcast.
I'm glad that you reached out.
We loved having you here and ifyou guys again, if you guys
have enjoyed the podcast, makesure you click subscribe.
Thank you again for joining us.