Jacy’s business was shut down for six months due to COVID, but her positive, radiant inspiration continued to shine through even during those unprecedented times. Raised by entrepreneurs, it was always in the cards that she’d start her own business, and not only has she opened a business, but she did so with her husband as her co-founder.
Read on for the best mom advice we’ve gotten in this series so far—challenge accepted!
Name: Jacy Boyack
- Age: 36
- Location: Gilbert, AZ
- Children: Lexington (12), Julian (5), Lilla (3)
You founded a business! Tell us about your company:
Citrus Massage is the freshest new spa in Arizona! We’re about self-care, kindness, people and community and we strive to make the world a better place one massage at a time.
Why did you want to start your own business?
I grew up with a dad who was known around town as a “serial entrepreneur.” He was always dreaming, building and running businesses and so, my love for entrepreneurism started at a young age. I witnessed firsthand how rewarding it was when his businesses found success, and also learned powerful lessons about resiliency and the courage to try again when some failed.
Tell us a little bit about your family!
My husband, Seth, and I have been married eight years and absolutely love the life we’ve built together in Arizona. We have two children; Julian is the coolest 5 year old you’ve ever met. He has the biggest heart, the funniest little personality and the best hair. And then there’s Lilla. She’s our sassy and adorable 3 year old and is quite the little fighter. She was born with a rare(r) condition called congenital hypothyroidism and not a day goes by we’re not grateful for modern medicine and the team of doctors who care for her.
My oldest son, Lex, is from a previous marriage and he now lives in Utah with his dad. It’s been a wonderful transition for him and is exactly what he needed at the time in his life. People often ask how I let him go and my answer is always, “he is happy, and I am so happy for his happiness.” He visits during holidays and summer breaks and we love the time when have when we’re all together as a family.
Were you able to take maternity leave? Tell us about that experience.
During my pregnancies I ran a non-profit organization called The Togetherness Project. We empowered women going through hardships in their marriages (betrayal trauma) and hosted semi-annual conferences where women from all over the country (and parts of the world) would attend. I worked all the way up until I delivered my baby and was able to take a break before we began planning our next big event.
How do you make time for self-care in between all that you have going on?
The best thing we started doing do ourselves since becoming business owners was making time for staycations. Every eight weeks or so, we try to get away for a few nights. We leave the kiddos with a babysitter, go somewhere close (like Scottsdale), unplug from the world as best we can, eat good food, sleep in and enjoy the time away. I always look forward to these little getaways and they totally do feel like a perfect dose of self-care!
What lessons have you learned in your career that you apply to parenting?
Oooooh! This is a good one! I think, for me, it’s this: learning to listen and listening to learn. Simple as that and it applies to us all! Parents, kids, business owners, employees, clients, neighbors, friends, etc. I truly think the world would be a much better place if we all learned to listen and listened to learn a little bit more.
How has motherhood impacted you personally and professionally?
I think the coolest thing I’ve discovered as a mom and business owner is that I am every bit as capable and strong as the women I admire the very most. And the best part? The same is true for you, too! The power that lies within them, also lies within YOU!
You founded your business with your spouse. How did you start the company together?
My husband and I are both connoisseurs of massage (he actually proposed in a spa, awwwwww!) and one day after getting a massage, he came home, plopped on the chair in the family room and said, “Hey Jacy, I think we should open a massage business!”
I was like, “Uhhhhhh… you are crazy! What?!”
A few months later we were looking at commercial real estate and a few months after that, we bought a commercial building! It was a wild and crazy ride but it was also SO. MUCH. FUN.
For some fun chit-chat, now!
- Favorite East Valley date night activity? Playing 9 holes of golf together.
- Coffee order? Honest Lavender Latter from Provision Coffee is very seriously the best I have ever had!
- Favorite restaurant in the East Valley? Does a bakery count? If so, Amber Marie’s Cookies! To. Die. For. Find her on Instagram @ambermaries_cookies
- Best mom advice you’ve been given? Back in 2015 when Julian was born, I made the conscious decision to not take my phone into his room… ever. I didn’t want the bright light, the noise, the distraction, the swiping, the overwhelming overload, or the disconnect to be part of our time together there. Rather, I wanted to be with him, 100% present.
Whether in the middle of the night during our feeds, or during the day before nap, or at night before bedtime, I wanted to be able to savor those very special and quiet times, and so, I did just that!
And I made the same commitment when my daughter was born a few years later. Five years later and there has been so much undistracted snuggling, feeding, burping, rocking, and singing in our little rocking chair and it has been such a magical and priceless experience for us.
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