As a Little Rock transplant mom myself, I have loved getting to chat with this determined mom of 4! Native to Indianapolis, Tori has found her footing here in Little Rock for both starting her own business and raising her family.
A lawyer by trade, Tori has been undaunted in pursuing her vision, opening the state’s first salt and yoga studio, Eden Salt Studio. Her determination has created success for this new business despite opening only a few months prior to a national pandemic while balancing the challenges of becoming a first time mom.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I’m originally from Indianapolis, IN where I lived until I moved to Atlanta, GA to attend college at Emory University. Following college, I moved to Washington, DC for law school and that’s where I began my career. I moved to Little Rock in 2012 to be closer to family.
You’re a Momma! How many children do you have and how old are they?
I have 2 girls: Bailey Ava Marie Jones (18 months) and Leila Elizabeth Jones (angel baby), and 2 bonus children Sydney (14) and Leon Jones III (Tre, 21).
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Even though I’m in the fitness/wellness industry, I really don’t like to work out all that much. It takes a lot for me to commit to an exercise routine — I’m pretty much a yo-yo exerciser.
What are your favorite things to do with your kids?
Nap! I love the baby snuggles and mama is always tired! I also enjoy watching Bubble Guppies with her and taking her outdoors. She loves the sunshine.
What is your favorite thing about raising your family in Little Rock/Benton/Bryant area?
It’s where our business is and where my support system is. My parents, brother and sister all live within 10 minutes of us. It’s great!
What’s your best mom hack that makes life easier?
I don’t feel like I’ve been a mom long enough to have discovered any hacks. I need some tips! I do think that my attitude towards raising my daughter makes my life easier. I’m not worried about every little germ or if she will bump her head. I like to let her roam around barefoot outside, play with rocks, stuff like that.
What are your favorite places to eat/things to do in Little Rock/Benton/Bryant area?
Zaza’s
Boulevard Bread
The Root
Bernice Garden and Hillcrest Farmer’s Markets
Practicing yoga at local studios
I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to do “mom” activities because of COVID! I can’t wait to explore more kid-friendly places in Little Rock.
Self-care is so important as momma’s who give so much, what’s something you do just for yourself?
I am obsessed with a ridiculous reality TV show. When it comes on, I watch it live, by myself, and then for the next 24-48 hours or so I talk to other fans on Facebook and listen to recap podcasts. It’s a bit ridiculous but it really takes me away from my busy schedule and I enjoy it! It’s a true guilty pleasure.
What’s something you can’t leave the house without?
Hand sanitizer! And my Jujube diaper bag. I don’t even keep diapers in it anymore. It’s just so comfortable and cute, and it’s perfect to keep up with all my junk.
What is your leave favorite mom job? (packing lunches, dishes, bathtime, laundry….)
Doing her hair. I love the way it looks when it’s done but trying to get her to sit still while I go through all the steps…wow! It’s a chore!
Tell us about your career outside being a mom.
I am a lawyer but not currently practicing. I currently run my own business, Eden Salt Studio, which is Little Rock’s only yoga and salt therapy studio. We opened in October 2019 and have been trying to survive during COVID19 so I literally spend 95% of my time, working for the business in some capacity – whether that be teaching yoga classes, ordering products, marketing, social media, networking, or actually being at the studio during business hours.
What prompted you to start your own yoga studio?
I’ve always loved teaching yoga and I was having a hard time finding a career as a lawyer in Little Rock. At the time I knew I wanted to get pregnant and start a family and owning my own business seemed like the best way to do that. Pre-COVID, Bailey would come up to the studio with me…it was great.
What’s the best part about your job?
When we have a success at the studio, I know I had something to do with it!
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and business owner? Do you experience mom guilt? How do you handle it?
It’s way too much! Of course I experience mom guilt. I tell myself “All you really have to do today is take care of Bailey” and that puts things in perspective for me. I keep in mind that taking care of her doesn’t mean I have to make her food, draw her a bath, spend 16 hours with her, etc. Sometimes it means taking her to my sister’s house 🙂
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
First and foremost my husband.
Then my amazing family – my parents, sisters and sister-in-law and my brother.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
The advice was to get her on a sleep schedule. I didn’t listen. Haha! I definitely regretted that.
Name one thing you want your kid(s) to look back on and remember about their childhood and you as their mom.
How hard I worked. 2020 was particularly hard for me and my family. We had a new business that was shut down due to the pandemic, we had a stillbirth, and pretty much had to cope and try to heal in isolation. I hope Bailey remembers how much time she had with us and how much we endured together.
What are your future plans and goals?
Survive.
I would like to open up 1-2 more locations in Arkansas and have general managers that run the day-to-day operations. I would like to be able to get pregnant again, bear a healthy baby, and be a full time stay-at-home mom.
Be sure to follow along with Tori at Eden Salt Studio on her social and website for info on all the newest salt sessions and yoga classes, and don’t miss out on some awesome deals going on right now.
-5 Yoga classes for $20. Coupon Code INTROYOGA
-5 Salt Therapy sessions for $50. Coupon code INTROSALT
Both are valid for 30 days from date of purchase.
They also offer Pay-What-You-Can Memberships: to make wellness more accessible–especially with the financial challenges of COVID19. These memberships are for anyone who wants to attend our yoga classes or salt therapy sessions but cannot afford our monthly membership rates. APPLY at their website!
Website: www.edensaltstudio.com
Social: @edensaltstudio on Instagram and @edensaltstudio on Facebook
