Main Street Moms on the Move ~ February 2017
By Rachel Hoeing
We are thrilled to introduce you to four amazing women in this month’s Main Street Moms on the Move feature. From couponing, to retail business, to dancing … these ladies are a wealth of knowledge. Enjoy getting to know Elizabeth Santos, Dana Vaughn, Lori Gray, and Nicole Johnson.
To nominate a future Mom on the Move in the Triad area who is doing great things, email Rachel@triadmomsonmain.com.
Elizabeth Livingston Santos
Elizabeth is a woman of many hats. She is a mother to Nola (3) and Alexander (10 months), two beautiful kids whose batteries seem to never run out. She is a wife to Juan, and together they own Santos Counseling, a mental health practice in Greensboro. Elizabeth is also known in the community as the to-go-to couponer. She is the creative mind behind couponsavingmom.com, with a simple mission in mind. She wants to help people save 50 percent or more when shopping.
Like many people, Elizabeth has a story and a reason for why she began couponing. Do you remember how broke you were in college? She does too! Elizabeth and her husband met at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro while leading a service recovery trip to New Orleans. (Fun fact, Elizabeth’s daughter’s name was inspired by the service time spent in New Orleans with her husband.) After graduating from college, she experienced the stresses of trying to make ends meet while on the job hunt.
Elizabeth spent the equivalent of a college degree studying and researching everything and anything about frugal living and couponing. A few months after graduating college, she transitioned into the corporate world. A full-time 8am to 5pm job that in no way lined up with her post college plan. It’s funny how life works out. She spent hours away from her family and away from her passion of cutting, swapping, and using coupons.
Elizabeth decided to leave the corporate world and follow her passion. Her goal was to find a smarter and better way to live frugal and support her family. She launched couponsavingmom.com in 2016.
Dana Vaughn and Lori Gray
What started out as a casual conversation over a few beverages(in the nest, where all great ideas are hatched), has become a perfect combination of shopping, learning experiences and lots of laughter for these two friends. Classy Collegiate is an online retail business that started in 2013, bringing its customers clothing, accessories and gifts in their favorite school colors.
Dana and Lori met at the Childhood Enrichment Center at Christ United Methodist Church, when Dana’s youngest son and Lori’s youngest daughter were in class together where they became fast friends. Dana, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Lori and graduate of UNCW, were discussing how difficult it was to find game day things without a big logo. And, well they became Co-Captains and set up shop.
Both ladies live in the Old Starmount neighborhood of Greensboro. Even though their roles of wives and moms come first, Classy Collegiate gives them the opportunity to help their friends, family and followers show their school spirit in fun, classy and unique ways. They are always seeking out unique things for their customers; fun, functional tailgating items, cute clothing for game day and everyday wear. From scarves to socks, jewelry to “token dude stuff”, Classy Collegiate is sure to have just what you need to show your school spirit in style or to gift beautifully. Pop into their little corner of the web at www.ClassyCollegiate.com and be sure to follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/classycollegiate.
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson moved to Winston-Salem with her family in February 2016 from Austin, Texas. The move was a welcome change; however, the hardest part was leaving behind the community she had found through a dance cardio class called Body Beats. A friend had introduced her to Body Beats in 2012, and she immediately fell in love with the concept of a fitness class that focused heavily on dance technique and style set to fun, current music. It was unlike any other type of exercise because of the connection that dance provides to mind, body and spirit. Growing up, dancing was an integral part of Nicole’s life, but as responsibilities of career, family and life took over, dancing became less of a priority. Body Beats allowed her to express a side of herself that she thought she had lost with her youth. Moving to Winston, she feared once again she would not have access to that creative outlet.
Determined to not lose the community she found through Body Beats, Nicole decided to become a certified instructor in June of last year while on a visit to Austin. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this style of exercise to Winston-Salem. Additionally, it was something she could do while still prioritizing raising her 9 and 6 year old girls. She loved that she could have this outlet for herself and not feel distracted from being a full-time mom.
She currently teaches at the Academy of Dance Arts on Tuesday/Thursday at 9:30am and Old Town Country Club on Wednesdays at 8:30am. Classes do not require a dance background and are open to anyone looking for a fun experience and community.
