Opportunity Knock Out!

HGTV’s Home Inspector Joe, coming January 2022

Joe & i with one of our projects

I’ve had a lot of questions about how I got into Design and how I snagged a Co-host/Designer role on a brand new HGTV renovation show! The full answer is too long for a blog post. The answer is in a series of situations and choices. The answer is in good fortune, privilege, hard work, tenacity and, yes, TALENT! Is it ok to say “I have talent”??? YES. Say it with me… “I HAVE TALENT!” Because you do. We ALL have talent. Own yours and work hard, and know that the future is wide open and full of possibility. I acknowledge that the path to meeting your potential isn’t always straightforward, easy or even clear, and that a lot of amazing talents are hindered by society and circumstance. I acknowledge that I was born with a level of privilege that has helped me along the way. Still, mine is a story of perseverance and perspective that is universal.

I was born into a loving family that gave me every chance to succeed I married my best friend at a young age, and we truly clung to each other through a lot of extreme challenges and triumphs. We had 3 kids, one of whom championed through a miraculous spinal cord surgery at only 5 months old, and I gave up a thriving musical theatre career to be the kind of mom and partner that I wanted to be. I worked several part time jobs from home to help pad our income while being a full time parent. Meanwhile, my handsome and heroic hubby was building a corporate Advertising career and rushing home to spend time with the wife and the littles. No vacations, no fancy date nights and no breaks for several years as we saved for a house in the burbs. (fun fact: we never went on a honeymoon!) But, we always had love and loyalty, and held on to the dreams of “one day.” I wasn’t sure that I wanted to return to performing again, but I was compelled to channel my creativity and compassion into a career that would help people live their lives WELL!

the home office/studio and birthplace of beam&bloom

The day finally came in 2014 that we found our perfect home, and we began slowly renovating our 1941 Fixer in Bloomfield, NJ! Reviving it took all of my savvy (and all of our savings), but I felt like I’d found a second calling. I dabbled in design by helping friends with their projects and then slowly starting to charge actual money for my time. I finally took the plunge and started my LLC in 2017 a year before my youngest was off to kindergarten…and it took off! I had a knack for business, a ton of support and a passion for balanced and delightful design with a focus on caring service. A year later, I was randomly “discovered” by a media production company online, and filmed a design tv sizzle reel as a Designer/Host, but the show never got picked up. Still, I was filled with gratitude for the excellent learning experience, and validated by the opportunity to meld my love for design and entertainment.

joe up close, me & crew in the background

BUT, in true full circle fashion, another door opened. A year later the opportunity arose with a new production company, RIVR Media, to co-host a TV show with my buddy and superstar home inspector Joe Mazza. Things happened FAST from our initial “zoom” sizzle reel…and here we are! With the help and creativity of an amazing crew, we’ve come a long way and overcome significant hurdles. We’re reaching the final block of filming our Premier Season of “Home Inspector Joe” for HGTV, and we are grateful and ecstatic about it every day. It’s a LOT of work when you’re as dedicated and involved in the work as Joe and I are. We wouldn’t have it any other way. We hope you enjoy the always joyful, often puzzling & sometimes messy ride of our first TV show!!! We have so much to share, and we hope that you feel our enthusiasm, integrity, partnership and gratitude through your screens come 2022!