Welcome to The Backyard Bash Diaries: Two Teachers, One Big Leap

If someone had told us a year ago that two elementary school teachers would be hauling giant yard games, folding tables, beach umbrellas, and chairs all around the south coast...we probably would have laughed while simultaneously grading papers.

But here we are.

Welcome to Backyard Bash Co.

We're Julie and Maria, two women who decided maybe it was time to build something for ourselves.

By day, I'm a full time health and physical education teacher, a high school coach and mom of two. My life usually revolves around whistles, sneakers, snack schedules, and reminding teenagers to please put the equipment back where they found it.

Maria, my business partner and friend, recently retired from her career as an elementary school teacher, but for her, "retirement" essentially translates to an even busier lifestyle. She juggles home life with her husband, frequently takes the train to New Jersey to spend time with her grandson, is the epitome of a devoted dog mom, and is quite the explorer, never staying put for long.

Together, we decided we wanted to try something different: Being our own bosses. The idea started simply enough, yard game rentals for graduation parties, cookouts, family reunions and backyard get togethers. Corn hole, Kan Jam, Giant Jenga, fun stuff people actually remember from parties. But like most things in life, one idea quickly turned into twenty-two.

Our family's yearly summer trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina motivated us to offer beach gear rentals. In that area, vacationers rent all sorts of items; chairs, umbrellas, coolers, beach carts, margarita makers, anything you can think of, they rent it. Why deal with the hassle of bringing all that when you're meant to be relaxing? It genuinely simplifies the vacation experience. Since we are situated on the South Coast of Massachusetts, between Cape Cod, Newport, and Boston's South Shore, we thought... why not offer the same here?

Maria then worked her magic. While assisting in planning her youngest daughter's wedding this summer in New Hampshire, the concept for our Elegant Events Collection was born. These are handcrafted lawn and tabletop games crafted specifically for engagement parties, weddings, showers, rehearsal dinners, after-parties, and any upscale events. This rustic elegance meets competitive family members who suddenly take giant Connect Four way too seriously.

We officially opened just TEN days ago.

TEN.

Which means we currently know approximately 4% of what we are doing. But that's kind of the exciting part.

This blog will be honest. We'll talk about the fun parts, the stressful parts, the "why did we think this was a good idea?" parts, and the moments that remind us exactly why we started. There will be stories about entrepreneurship, family, teaching, creativity, events, customers, and probably some mild panic over weather forecasts.

And definitely humor. Because if you can't laugh while trying to fit twelve beach chairs into the back of an SUV while answering parent emails, getting your teenagers text messages and discussing wedding decor at the same time...what's the point?

Thanks for following along with us. We're glad you're here.

Julie & Maria