I first met Amanda Svoboda and heard her incredible story at the Bomb Mom Getaway last year. I was moved to hear the story of her son Zion and cannot imagine any family who lives life with a child with Congenital Heart Defects/Disease. Although, Amanda has a tough story she is one of the warmest and kindest people you will meet. Her business Little House On Main has become a platform where regularly gives back to others. Learn more about her story, small business, and her favorite place to go for a date night.
Give us a little background on your family and personal life! How many kids do you have? Have you lived in Des Moines all your life?
Well, hello! My name is Amanda. I am saved by grace, a wife to a gifted pastor|Touring singer-songwriter|national speaker – you may know him as Zachary Freedom. And a mom to 4 sweet little boys. Malachai (8), Uriah (7), Zion (5), Titus (2). We love living a non-traditional/ unconventional life as a family. We love to travel and do so as often as we can. We are a heart family and love to spread awareness of Congenital Heart Defects/Disease. Our son Zion was born with multiple heart defects and given one of the more severe diagnoses of CHDs, Tetralogy of Fallot. He has undergone two open-heart surgeries and faces more in the future. Our family has always had the heart to give back and serve others. Our journey with Zion’s heart diagnosis has driven that into an even greater passion and to spread light that everyone has a story and is fighting battles. We just want to help in what small or big ways we are able!
What is your business, and what do you do?
I am the owner of Little House On Main. We removed an abandoned house on Main Street in Bondurant, Iowa that city was ready to tear down into a home decor + gifts + clothing boutique + vintage shop. We believe in providing a space where customers feel encouraged, loved, and hope-filled! Our mission is to give back. Every purchase from Little House On Main intentionally supports and gives back to charitable causes and organizations in Iowa. When customers shop LHOM, they are truly shopping for a purpose. Our family has always had the heart to give back and serve others – Little House On Main has bloomed into a humbling opportunity to do so.
Why did you become a small business owner?
I grew up with entrepreneurial parents. My dad has grown a highly successful outsourcing business for nearly 25 years, and more recently a vintage sign business. And my mom has owned incredibly successful home decor and antique shops for 13 years – Country Blessings. They, more than anyone, have been my biggest supporters and advocates. They have shown me that you can truly be happy and have success in owning a business.
Where is your favorite place to take your children to play indoors?
We rarely go to indoor play places We try to avoid high germ areas for our heart warrior – but when we do go, we have enjoyed Urban Air and the Science Center.
Where is your favorite place to take your children to play outdoors?
With a family of 4 boys and their daddy an avid fisherman, our outdoor activities mainly consist of just that – fishing! We have a wonderful small lake in Bondurant, Lake Petocka. There is a walking trail all around as well as a playground. If we aren’t there, we spend our summer days at our family lake house on Lake Panorama in Panora, IA.
Parent’s day/night out. Describe your perfect parent only day/night out in Des Moines.
There is only one place we go for date night – Simon’s. We have enjoyed getting to know Simon over the past few years and you can find us there at least 3-4 times a month.
What are some tips on juggling parenthood, working, and personal life?
Create a balance and know your priorities. I went into this with set hours – we are open 3 days a week, and the rest of the week is devoted to my family. Do not try to please others, do not try to be someone else. Stay true to YOU and build your own brand that reflects who you are. You do not have to do what someone else does or did to build a successful business. For me, my business would be nothing and would be pointless to me if I wasn’t called to do it if I wasn’t intentionally giving back + serving others through it, and if I didn’t believe it was furthering the Kingdom of God. Yes – I said God’s Kingdom! Find your reason and calling – find your purpose. That is the only way it will be worth it!
What is your number one parenting tip?
Show up with big love. Some days that might be mushy love, some days tough love, happy love, fun love, sad love. But always show up with big unconditional love. I remember a moment of feeling defeated in parenthood – and I cried out to God and prayed “what do I do, how do I do this?” And clear as day what came to me was “Just love them”.
Also, throw away all the socks – start fresh with all the same color and style and never buy anything different than that again! No more mismatched socks!
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/littlehouseonmainiowa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlehouse.onmain/
