Vision & Values

vision for families

Creative Habitat was founded on the belief strong families are the heart of a strong community.  

It is our goal to strengthen family unity by uniting families and providing family-friendly coworking.  We aim to restore work/life balance and offer community support for women seeking business development in a family-friendly setting.  It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a village to grow a business.  

Creative Habitat is bringing back the village one family at a time.

We partner with local spaces in the community to offer our programming and services while supporting the local economy.  Strengths-based development and creative collaboration are a fundamental focus of our signature co-op model and developmental programming for both women and their kids.  We incorporate our Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaching and faith-based principles into all of our programs and curriculum. Our services aim to provide community support, economic vitality, and personal and professional growth for families. 

Creating a nurturing environment for
both
parents and kids to work, play, and grow in community under the same roof.

We value balance, growth, & well-being

Life is BUSY, especially for modern women constantly working and achieving in all areas of life. When we take time to slow down, correction, IF we take time to slow down, one must ask, are we working towards and achieving balance amidst all of life’s demands?  Is it possible to cultivate a protected environment, or habitat, where women can daily rest and invest in their God-given creativity to promote balance, growth and well-being?  Can busy routines be replaced by creative habits?  

Here at Creative Habitat, we believe developing regular quiet time and space to tap into one’s creativity in business and life is a true gift and blessing for women and their families.  We believe when you take time to rest from the swirling list of to-dos and expectations, the noise of daily life will fade as you take time to tap into who you have been created to be.  

We believe carving out this precious time and space to be silent and listen to your inner voice is beautiful.  So what are you waiting for?  Allow your heart to be transformed from tired to inspired.  Be. Be You. Beautiful.  We believe you are the Imago Dei – created beautifully by a masterful Creator.  So shine your light!  You are the only one who can.  Did we mention we provide engaging play and creative activities for your kids while you enjoy some much needed focused time to work on you?   Your vision.  Your goals.  Your project. 

 You do you.  

Rest assured we’ve got your kids covered in care and you covered in prayer.  Creative Habitat is designed to be a nurturing environment for the whole family.  We believe when you take time to refuel, your whole family benefits because you are able to give the best of you instead of what is left of you.  We hope you enjoy an opportunity to refuel and refresh. 

Latest News


creativehabitatmoms



Just finished a 3 month play therapy practicum whe
Just finished a 3 month play therapy practicum where I had the opportunity to practice play therapy with kids in the Waukee school district. Loved seeing how play facilitates important conversations with kids and families. Play truly is the language kids know best. Loved learning from and with them. 💛


☀️Summer Co-Op Update☀️
☀️Summer Co-Op Update☀️


Happy Mother’s Day💛
To all the moms wearing
Happy Mother’s Day💛 To all the moms wearing all the hats loving with all you’ve got! This Mother’s Day, I am rejoicing in our five kids (the 3 I get to hold and the 2 who taught me how to be held in the loss). These precious kids make me, brake me and shape me on a daily basis. These are some pics from dedicating Tobias (thank you Greg Tate) next to our fallen oak/turned natural playscape (thank you 2020 Derecho😉). These pictures are a testament of God’s faithfulness. He truly does make beauty from ashes. ‭‭~Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭3‬~ “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” To Him be the Glory, and to my kids…thank you for giving me the most fun (and chaotic) and rewarding role there is! Mama 💛


So grateful for my friend and business owner, Mind
So grateful for my friend and business owner, Mindy Carlson who just opened @mixcreative_dsm - a coworking and event space centrally located in West Des Moines (north of Valley Junction). I met Mindy at MOPS a few years ago and she was designing her logo for her printmaking business @mindersonpress Then I got to know her and her sweet kiddos when she joined a summer coworking and childcare co-op I had started to meet other small business owners and support eachother in childcare when I first moved to Iowa - and knew not a soul. Well, fast forward 5 years and so grateful to have been connected with this amazing soul, creative spirit, and fellow mama in the busy years of raising littles. Mindy, such a joy to see your vision become a reality. Thanks for creating such a special space! Looking forward to getting some quiet, focused work done in a clean and clutter-free space. Also look forward to meeting future Mix members💛


Tobias is officially 5 months this week!
Here are
Tobias is officially 5 months this week! Here are a few of the clothes that fit him for all of 3 seconds😊 I have cherished every minute of this precious time with him. Little boy joy 💙 5 is also a significant number this month because it marks our 5 year anniversary of living in Iowa and as of a few days ago, Iowa is the longest we have lived anywhere as a married couple and family. High 🖐 to the next 5 years…wherever they may lead us!


Mother’s Day Continued…
Have you ever waited
Mother’s Day Continued… Have you ever waited for something even when you weren’t exactly sure what you were waiting for…and then found it and knew the wait is over? I experienced this strange phenomenon yesterday - a Mother’s Day gift I will always remember. These pictures signify the moment I realized, the wait is over. So what have I been waiting for? Clarity. How was that clairvoyance revealed? Through flowers, of course - one of nature’s most delightful gifts. Over the years, they have been an example of patience in growth, resilience in storms, and beauty in simplicity. Yesterday, while arranging fresh picked flowers from @pepperharrow_ farm, I was reminded of the true resiliency and beauty these particular flowers and this particular Mother’s Day represent. These flowers, this family, this farm… They are all a picture of renewal and beauty after the storm. These flowers have endured the winter and still greet us with their brilliance. This family has said goodbye to two angle babes who they will always hold in their hearts while they hold this precious rainbow baby in their arms. This farm endured a direct hit by a tornado two months ago and yet here we are in their new building creating a beautiful Mother’s Day bouquet 💐 So thankful for Adam and Jenn’s hospitality and opening their “creative habitat” for our family to enjoy yesterday. As I pruned the leaves off the flowers to place them in the vase, I realized the past two years of “waiting” have been a season of pruning…a painful but necessary process to prepare for renewal. Sitting in the new space @pepperharrow_ knowing their old space literally blew away, it gave me courage to start dreaming again. Visiting their “creative habitat,” a “creative habitat” they rebuilt in the wake of loss inspired me to start rebuilding too. The wait is over. Time to rebuild.


Happy Women’s Day!
So grateful to be surrounded
Happy Women’s Day! So grateful to be surrounded by so many amazing women growing their families and their businesses. You inspire me every day with your hard work…or should I say “heart work” 💛 Thanks for all the ways you serve so many! 📷 @jill_neil


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