I didn’t plan on writing a blog.
I didn’t plan on selling construction equipment, either.
But here we are.
In 2023, I walked away from a 25-year career in nursing—not because I had something better lined up, or a spreadsheet full of business goals. I left because I got angry. And sometimes the most life-changing decisions are made with a slammed door and a deep breath.
After I quit, L and I focused on building CliffHouse Buildings (CHB)—a retail and e-commerce business selling construction materials and equipment. Now, let me be clear: I didn’t grow up around this stuff. I still mix up tillers and trenchers. But I’m learning—every invoice, every pallet, every listing we upload.
This blog, Rebuilt From The Lake Up, is part journal, part business diary, part “what the hell are we doing” log. It’s about:
Reinventing your life after 40-something
Working from home and living at Lake of the Ozarks
Building a business with your partner (and staying sane)
Making new friends when you don’t have school drop-off lines or soccer practice to break the ice
Finding ways to make an income from things you’re actually proud of
It won’t always be polished. But it will always be honest.
And maybe—just maybe—it will inspire you to rewrite a chapter or two of your own.
So welcome. You’ve found the right place if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this really it?”
Turns out… it isn’t.
📌 About Me
Hi, I’m Jennifer. After 25 years in nursing, I walked out on a job that no longer served me—and into a world I knew nothing about: selling construction equipment with my partner at Lake of the Ozarks. I went from clinical routines to retail chaos, learning one part at a time. This blog is my honest, unfiltered journey of rebuilding—from business and identity to home and purpose. I’m not an expert, just a woman figuring it out and bringing you along.