Welcome to Kindred Roots
We’re Shelley and Charley —
longtime friends and the proud founders of Kindred Roots — a business born from a shared passion for creativity, caring, and community.
Both former teachers, we bring patience, reliability, and a commitment to trust that you can count on.
At Kindred Roots, we wear many hats — from crafting unique handmade items that brighten homes and gardens, to rolling up our sleeves and helping with everyday tasks like home cleaning, painting, gardening, and pet sitting. Together, we’re your friendly “Jack and Jill of All Trades” — a team of fierce women ready to jump in wherever you need us most.
Every project we take on is approached with care, attention, and a commitment to quality. We treat your home, pets, and belongings as if they were our own because we know that trust is everything.
Our mission is simple: to bring a little more kindness, creativity, and reliability into your life.
Thanks for stopping by, and we can’t wait to help you with your next project!
~ Shelley & Charley
Meet Charley
Hi, I’m Charley, co-founder of Kindred Roots and, first and foremost, mom to four amazing kids—Makenna, Tenley, Gable, and Lawson. Motherhood has shaped me more than anything else. It’s taught me to be flexible, creative, resilient, and to find joy in both the chaos and the quiet moments. Every step of my career has been influenced by wanting to build a life that keeps my family at the center.
I come by my independence and creativity honestly. My mom raised me to be resourceful—I grew up learning how to paint, build, craft, and figure things out on my own. She gave me the confidence to be a true jack-of-all-trades. My dad, on the other hand, is the master entrepreneur. Watching him turn ideas into opportunities sparked my own drive to be my own boss, and I carry both of their influences with me every day.
My journey began in education. I went to college to be a teacher, and I landed my first job—teaching art—the day before school started. That whirlwind beginning turned into a love for the classroom and a career that I’ve returned to again and again.
When my family moved to Iowa City, where my husband was working at the University of Iowa, I stepped into something new: owning my own business. I purchased a flower shop and rebranded it into Mint Julep. With the help of my incredible employee, Danny, we built it into something I was truly proud of. Together we designed everyday arrangements for birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, and special events, along with custom wedding florals and centerpieces. Our biggest accomplishments included providing all of the floral arrangements for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics gift shop and placing in the top three of a wedding design contest for the largest floral wholesaler in the Midwest. That season of life deepened my love of entrepreneurship and reminded me how much I thrive when I’m building something side by side with a partner—one of the reasons I’m so excited to dive into Kindred Roots with Shelley.
Eventually, I found myself pulled back toward teaching, spending another year in the classroom before moving into a role at St. Ambrose University—my alma mater. There, I worked as a curriculum librarian, advisor, and technology resource for the education department. It gave me a chance to blend organization, creativity, and problem-solving while supporting students and faculty. It also gave me one of the best gifts of all—that’s where I met Shelley.
When Shelley shared that her school was looking for an art teacher, I jumped at the opportunity. I was ready to return to the classroom, match my kids’ schedules again, and dive back into the art world I loved so much. That decision eventually set the stage for Kindred Roots, which grew from an idea Shelley had for artsy projects at farmers’ markets into a bigger vision: creating a business rooted in creativity, independence, and helping others.
Now, with Kindred Roots, I get to bring together all of my experiences—teaching, entrepreneurship, crafting, building, and problem-solving—into meaningful work that makes life a little easier and a little more beautiful for the people we serve. Whether it’s painting, gardening, organizing, creating, or simply showing up with an extra set of hands, I love the chance to help.
At the end of the day, I’m a mom, a maker, and a doer. Everything I’ve learned from my parents, my kids, my colleagues, and my past work has led me here. And I couldn’t be more excited to pour it all into Kindred Roots.
📬 Let’s connect: charley@kindredrootsiowa.com
Learn more at kindredrootsiowa.com
Meet Shelley
“At the heart of it all, I’m someone who believes in connection: to people, to the earth, and to the little everyday moments that make life feel manageable, meaningful, and a little more beautiful!”
- Shelley
Hi, I’m Shelley, co-founder of Kindred Roots and a lifelong lover of pets, plants, people, and purposeful work. My journey into this business comes from years of hands-on experience across many fields, all connected by a single thread: helping others feel safe, cared for, and at home, whether through a freshly weeded garden, a decluttered office, or a home touched by warmth and intention.
Creativity is in my bones. I grew up in a home where the arts weren’t just encouraged, they were essential. Whether it was painting, crafting, or creating something beautiful from nothing, that artistic spark shaped the way I see the world. It’s stayed with me ever since, and it now finds its way into everything from hand-painted garden décor to intentional touches in the work I do for others.
My former work as a fourth grade teacher gave me a deep connection to this community and an appreciation for the hard work families juggle every day. As a mom of two myself, I get the daily chaos, the school pickups, the errands, the endless to-do list, and I love being able to step in and make life a little easier for our clients.
Before going back to school to become a teacher, I spent nearly a decade working as a veterinary assistant, where I developed deep knowledge in basic animal care, from administering medications and trimming nails to calming anxious pets during grooming or boarding. That experience taught me patience, compassion, and the importance of building trust with both animals and their humans. It’s also why I’m thrilled to offer basic pet care services through Kindred Roots, whether that’s pet sitting, nail trims, or a good old-fashioned scrub for a muddy pup.
My caregiving experience also includes working with homebound and elderly individuals, providing light cleaning, cooking, and, maybe most importantly, company. We know that not all in-home help needs to be medical. Sometimes what’s needed most is a familiar, trustworthy face who shows up with kindness and a helping hand. That’s a service I’m proud to offer.
My very first job at 18 was as a personal assistant to an interior designer and professional organizer. I spent two years helping transform cluttered spaces into calm, functional ones, whether it was organizing chaotic garages or refreshing home offices and living spaces. That early hands-on experience taught me how powerful it can be to bring order to overwhelm, and it’s a mindset I still carry into every space I enter through Kindred Roots.
As a homeowner, I’ve handled my fair share of house projects, from gardening and yard maintenance to helping repaint an entire rental home from the ground up. I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves, and I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful transformations come from a bit of dirt under your nails.
Whether I’m pulling weeds, walking your dog, reorganizing a garage, refreshing a forgotten corner, or just sitting with your loved one over a cup of tea, I show up with care, integrity, and intention. That’s the root of everything I do.
If anything I’ve shared resonates with you, whether you need help around the home, someone you can trust with your pet, or just a steady hand to support your family’s day-to-day needs, I’d love to connect. You can reach me anytime at shelley@kindredrootsiowa.com. Let’s chat about how Kindred Roots can help you breathe a little easier, one thoughtful task at a time. 🌿
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