Leaning on Community and Grit in the Hard Seasons
An Interview with Jamie Szanati, owner of Groovy Sunshine Co.
Building something meaningful rarely looks like a straight line. More often, it’s a winding path, the part where the work feels heavy, the growth is slow, and the uncertainty lingers. It’s a season that can be both exhausting and formative. It’s also where the real story begins to take root.
That’s where we find Jamie Szanati, the owner of Groovy Sunshine Co., a colorful, joy-filled shop tucked in the heart of downtown Delaware, Ohio. Part boutique, part gathering place, Groovy Sunshine offers a mix of vibrant home goods, gifts, and locally-made treasures that reflect Jamie’s playful, optimistic style. Step inside and you’ll find shelves lined with handmade candles, retro-inspired décor, and quirky novelties that make people smile. For many, it’s more than a shop, it’s a dose of light in their day, a reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things.
But behind the cheerful displays and warm atmosphere, Jamie’s first year as a business owner was anything but easy.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
The Weight of the First Year
Jamie is honest about how hard that first year felt. There were days she sat in her shop nestled in the second floor of an old brick building, wondering if anyone would come in. She admits she wasn’t sure she’d make it to the one-year mark, and that uncertainty weighed on her.
It’s a familiar story for many entrepreneurs. One boutique owner once told me she’d spend entire afternoons refolding the same sweaters just to keep busy while waiting for a single customer. Another recalled sitting in her car crunching numbers on her phone, trying to figure out if she could cover rent. Jamie felt those same pressures: the quiet, empty hours, the financial stress, the constant question of should I keep going?
Still, she showed up. Small wins, quiet routines, and little moments of gratitude became her anchor. “You’ve got to get up every day and make it happen,” she says.
A Community that Shows Up
When the one-year anniversary finally came, Jamie worried it might slip by unnoticed. Instead, her community showed up in force. Neighbors, loyal customers, and even fellow business owners from down the street joined with encouragement and adoration for what she had built. The celebration reminded her of something crucial: she wasn’t doing this alone. And what she was doing…was in fact working.
That kind of support is what sustains many new business owners. I’ve seen it play out again and again: a coffee shop that survived its first winter thanks to referrals from the bookstore across the street, or three shop owners who teamed up for a “Sip & Shop” event that brought record-breaking sales for each of them. In Jamie’s case, the love and loyalty she felt that day reinvigorated her vision for Groovy Sunshine. What might have been the end of a hard season became a fresh beginning.
Looking Ahead
Now, she’s excited about her next steps: expanding her hours and eventually bringing on help so she can stay open later and more fully participate in community life. These are practical, sometimes difficult decisions every small business owner wrestles with. But for Jamie, they’re filled with new energy because of the people who have walked with her along the way.
Whether you’re running a business, pursuing a creative dream, or navigating a transition, Jamie’s story is a reminder that grit and gratitude can carry us through uncertainty. Surround yourself with community, look for those daily glimmers of hope, and keep showing up.
Keep the Conversation Going
This post only scratches the surface of Jamie’s story. For the full conversation, including her reflections on collaboration, resilience, and what’s next for Groovy Sunshine Co., listen to our in-depth episode of Notes from the Messy Middle, hosted on Substack. You can listen to it almost anywhere you get your podcasts.
And if you’d like more stories like this, along with behind-the-scenes glimpses from colleagues, community members, and fellow creatives, as well as updates on my own writing and creative process, you can follow along on Substack.
Connect with Groovy Sunshine Co: