Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Atkins.
Hi Ellen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I led a “normal” suburban life. I married a great guy who is still my husband decades later, have 3 sons and the adorable family dog Sawyer. I was a CPA in the Corporate world where I lived for 30 years. Yes, I had the perfect job. Great money. Well respected. The day flew by. So what made me turn my perfect life upside down?
For a longtime, there was a constant internal nagging. Logically, it felt like this all should be enough. It wasn’t. Conversations played in my head such as, “You can do this job with your eyes closed. Ellen. Don’t you want to see what else is out there?”
When I thought about quitting. “What would I do?” always popped up and with no answer at hand, I’d get pulled back into the busyness of life. These voices became shouts, and the day after we took our son to college, I finally quit. I still had no explanation for my family and friends.
Well, none that was logical. I knew it would be hard, but I never realized how hard. I felt like “Alice” from Alice in Wonderland falling down the rabbit hole. I tried being the “perfect mom” (Oh that went well. Ha.) I tried yoga, volunteering, organic juicing. You name it, I did it.
Eventually, I couldn’t run from myself-or my unhappiness-any longer although I was NEVER sorry I quit. There were no more activities that could keep the waves of despair at bay. I couldn’t figure it out with my head. What I really needed was to surrender and be still with my sadness. It was in this stillness that something magical began to happen. Syd was born. My magical jolly two thumbs up buddha like statue and life would never be the same.
I came across a quote by Howard Washington Thurman at the time: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is more people who have “come alive”. What struck me was that I was in my early 50’s but didn’t know what made me come alive. I knew how to multitask and be responsible. I was a Virgo and a CPA, after all. But…what about fun? I made it my mission to find out what made me happy.
I started to notice anything that gave me pleasure: a word, a quote, a picture, or a color. Anything. I ordered a few Monk statues (the jolly kind with big bellies) and they always made me laugh. I surrounded my life with anything that made me laugh. The Monks not only became my companions but my daily inspiration. I would dress them up. A dishtowel became a hat. It was my new hobby that quickly became a passion.
I started taking Monk pictures sent them to friends. The response was amazing. Everyone loved them! We all started to realize how little we laughed. The Monks were helping me feel inspired. creative-and actually happy. Little did I know this would be the start of a business.
The Suburban Monk is Born. I grew tired of duct-taping messages to my monks. I wished they had outfits and a place to hold various items. So I decided to create one. I envisioned a unique big Laughing Monk statue with a thumbs-up and an open palm to hold a crystal, or inspirational sayings, or maybe your car keys. We are the “Suburban” Monk, after all.
I designed Syd (yes he has a name!). My world has never been the same. So much joy daily. Much more in the about page of on my web site.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road. I was sure I was going to quit a million times. And so many tears. I have a new respect for creative entrepreneurs. I had no idea how to make a statue. and after 9 months when the sculptor walked in and I said “OMG that is Syd. I am declaring today his birthday!!” It was May 2nd 2012. And then the sculptor said “now you need someone to make you molds. OMG, I was like what?
I thought he was in my refrigerator or something. Get it jello molds. I had no idea what this process would be like. Once I found a person to make molds then came “now you need someone to manufacture them”. I wish I could use emojis here. Each step was a shock to me.
I will never forget one of these times. I was softly crying at my altar downstairs so my son wouldn’t hear me not knowing how to take the next step. Out of nowhere, my youngest son showed up behind me. He said “Mom are you OK. I quickly wiped my tears and said yes it is just hard getting a biz off the ground” He said, “mom, we are reading the Odyssey in school and you are just in the belly of the whale. On the other side of this darkness is all the magic. You can’t give up”.
Each time I was in a puddle of tears there was something magical that happened to keep me going. But a smooth road? Nope, lol.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I was an accountant all those years I did not think I was creative. Finding a new way to insert a column in an excel spreadsheet was my idea of creativity. But I have realized I am creative. I love creating and writing …all the things.
What I do best is bring joy to people through Syd my statue, my words, the various creations. I am spiritual but that gets a bad rap. Everything seems so serious. I love bringing playfulness to spirituality.
I think that is what sets me apart. people feel better just looking at my fun posts, or collecting all the amazing colors Syd comes in. We surprised a family with a 5 foot , 65 pound, custom made Syd saying you’ve been monked!! The pictures of their faces were amazing.
I think what sets me apart is my playfulness. After all Syd looks like a Laughing Monk but you won’t find any with a thumbs up. He is a Universal symbol of joy.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I started in the day before I knew of networks or coaches etc.. So I would go to a little altar I set up and ask whoever was listening. The universe, something bigger than myself maybe no one. But now there are so many coaches and networks and I would say reach out and try them. It is so hard to do alone.
But if I could do it anyone can so please, please, please don’t give up!!!
Pricing:
- $25 for 1 little Syd
- $220 for 13inch Big Syd
Contact Info:
- Email: Ellen@thesuburbanmonk.com
- Website: www.thesuburbanmonk.com
- Instagram: @TheSuburbanMonk
- Facebook: TheSuburbanMonk
- Twitter: TheSuburbanMonk
Image Credits
RoniMartinPhotography.com
