Exclusive Interview with Robin Laulainen, Owner of Everyday Simple Living

Robin Laulainen was born in Thousand Oaks, California to two of the best people she knows - her parents. Her parents quickly high-tailed it up to Kennewick, Washington when she was 18 months old when they realized that they'd have a lot more flexibility (aka money) outside of southern California. Approximately a year later her brother, Kristopher, was born. After meeting her future husband, Alan, at the ripe old age of 11, life continued on happily in eastern Washington. Labeled a nerd early on, Robin was a bit obsessive about her grades. The one A- she received in high school made her cry. She eventually learned to stop obsessing and smell the roses. One marriage, one college degree, two houses, three dogs, two and a half kids, and one big move to Arizona later; her personal life couldn't be any better. Professionally things have been a bit more challenging. It took her many years to come to the realization that Corporate America is probably not a long term fit. This budding infopreneur has a passion for her kids and dogs, her girlfriends, baking, photography, Greek salads, organizing, self-improvement, and coffee. Her best friend in the whole world is her husband of nearly 12 years, Alan. While life has certainly had its share of ups and downs it has been a fantastic journey. She can't wait to see what comes next (including the hopefully VERY easy birth of her third child).

I had the chance to interview her in regards to her latest project and passion, her website Everyday Simple Living.

AC: What was the inspiration behind Everyday Simple Living?

RL: The inspiration behind Everyday Simple Living was really a combination of several things that happened in my life. One was a reaction to what I saw every Monday morning at work. Everyone had a "case of the Mondays" - depression at being back at work combined with tales of the weekend that had just passed. Most of my co-workers spent the weekend in a frantic rush to both have as much fun as possible and to get a TON of stuff done (errands, chores, house projects, etc). They came back to work each Monday exhausted and frustrated that they didn't get enough done. The fun they had was tucked in between the work and it was usually expensive, but they felt they "deserved" it because they worked so hard. It almost seemed like life was lived exclusively on the weekends, the work week was a big pause in their actual lives. I found myself taking on the same attitude...and quite frankly I hated it. I felt like life should be lived every day, not just the weekends.

Another inspiration came from concerns I have around raising my kids in an affluent suburb. I couldn't believe some of what I saw at daycare, parks, other kids' birthday parties, etc. Mothers obsessing that their 3 year old daughters weren't wearing the right couture clothing or going to the best (read: most expensive) preschools. I looked back at my very happy childhood that didn't contain a lot of money, but rather a lot of time from my folks, love, and making our own fun, and thought that the emphasis was in all the wrong places.

Lastly, was a bit of Pacific Northwest roots. I feel passionately about recycling, reuse, doing for oneself (as in the "lost arts" of homesteading), sharing with neighbors, and building community. I feel very sad when I see how much our society has turned into a throw-away culture. People just seem to consume, consume, consume without thought to the long-term consequences.

AC: How do you find time for your site with work, family, home, etc?

RL: I've got to admit it's hard right now. I'm doing it when Kenna is at preschool and early mornings. Having been laid off last year has certainly created more time in my life, but with two kids, three dogs, household responsibilities, and being pregnant, I feel a bit stretched thin sometimes. But don't we all?!

AC: Rumor has it you took the photo yourself of the home page. Are you also an amazing photographer?

RL: Aw thanks! I'd replace 'amazing' with 'aspiring'. I'm a beginning photo buff. I finally wrangled myself a really great camera and have been practicing a lot. I simply love photographs and taking them is just as much fun as enjoying them!

AC: For someone wanting to start a blog or website of their personal interests what's the best way to go about it?

RL: I'd say that really depends on where you want to go with it. If you'd like to build a personal blog just for fun try http://wordpress.com (I have a just for fun blog there - http://doobieroo.com). It takes zero technical know-how and you can be up and blogging in minutes. For something a little more substantial I opted for a product called Site Build It (http://www.sitebuildit.com/). It's like a webhost on steroids...the best part being the forums; they are a really great community, lots of help with whatever questions you might have.

AC: What are next steps for the site and/or Robin professionally?

RL: The next big step for the site is LOTS more content! I plan to continue to add pages and many more images. Eventually I'd like to take on sponsors and partner up with other websites with similar interests. Building this website has made me remember the good old days of web development which I haven't touched it in about 10 years. For me professionally I'd like to become an "infopreneur", that is make a living by creating websites with valuable content and accepting sponsors or businesses who sell a relevant product or service. The lifestyle of a web professional fits in well with my growing family as I can work on my sites whenever and wherever.

AC: What kind of response/feedback are you getting from visitors to your site?

RL: So far I've received very positive feedback including some requests for articles about specific topics. I LOVE hearing back from visitors because they always get my blood pumping!