Mom of the Month: Meet Haylee – Owner of Rhea Lana’s of South Johnson County & Slumber and Shine Sleep, LLC
We love celebrating local moms making a big impact in our community! This month, we're thrilled to introduce you to Haylee, a registered nurse, mom of two, and entrepreneur behind two incredible businesses: Rhea Lana’s of South Johnson County and Slumber and Shine Sleep, LLC. From helping parents save money to helping families get better sleep, Haylee is all about supporting local families in real, meaningful ways.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
Hi, I’m Haylee! I’ve been a registered nurse for 12 years and currently teach patients how to do dialysis at home. I’m originally from Marysville, KS but moved to Topeka for college and never left! My husband, Jonathan, and I have two amazing kids—Sutton (4) and Ellis (1)—who keep us very busy and entertained.
We purchased the Rhea Lana’s of South Johnson County franchise about two years ago and spend a month out of the year in Gardner or Olathe during event season. More recently, I became a certified pediatric sleep consultant and launched Slumber and Shine Sleep, LLC after hiring one for my own kiddo and seeing how life-changing it was for our family. I knew I wanted to help other parents experience that same peace.
What inspired you to start your businesses?
Let’s be honest—kids are expensive! After I had my son, I discovered Rhea Lana’s and was immediately hooked. Not only did I find great deals shopping there, but when I started consigning, I made over $400 per event selling my kids' outgrown items. That experience really stuck with me.
My husband and I had always wanted to start a business, and he was just as into Rhea Lana’s as I was. When the opportunity came up to purchase the South Johnson County franchise, we jumped on it. It just made sense—my mom lives in Olathe and my sister is in the metro area, so we had some built-in support. It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made!
As for Slumber and Shine Sleep, I hired a sleep consultant for my little one and saw what a huge difference it made in our daily life. I realized I could use my nursing background and personal experience to help other families finally get the sleep they deserve. It's been so rewarding.
What does a typical day look like for you as a mom and business owner?
I work four days a week, 8–4, as a dialysis nurse. In the evenings and on weekends, I’m usually preparing for our upcoming Rhea Lana’s events—there’s always something to plan or organize! My son now asks daily when the next event is because he knows he gets to pick out some “new-to-him” toys. It’s become a fun tradition for our family.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Definitely the giving back. At the end of each Rhea Lana’s event, consignors who choose to donate their unsold items make it possible for local foster families to shop for free. After that, remaining items go to local nonprofits. We’ve donated thousands of dollars' worth of clothes, toys, and gear to families in need.
One moment I’ll never forget—during our first event, a little 5-year-old boy in foster care was riding around on a donated bike in the store. When his foster mom told him he could take it home, he started crying. He had never had a bike of his own before. That moment alone made all the hard work worth it.
What challenges have you faced balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?
Finding balance is definitely tough—especially during the two weeks of our events. Coordinating childcare while living an hour away from where the events are held means we do a lot of driving and rely heavily on our amazing families. Both sides have stepped up to help with the kids, and we couldn’t do it without them.
What advice would you give to other moms thinking about starting their own business?
Do it! It won’t always be easy, and it can get stressful, but it’s so worth it. Your kids will see you working hard and chasing your dreams. Keep your goals in mind—mine was to cut back on my hours at my nursing job, and I’ve been able to do just that so I can spend more time with my family and focus on growing both businesses.
How do you and your family like to spend time together when you're not working?
We love getting out and exploring the community. Touch-a-Truck events, movies in the park—anything fun and local, we’re there. We also make regular trips to the park, and we try to go to Disney World every other year. It’s something we all look forward to!
Follow Haylee’s journey and learn more about her businesses:
💼 Rhea Lana’s of South Johnson County
📍 Location: Our sales are held in South Johnson County, usually in Gardner or Olathe, KS
🌐 Website: southjoco.rhealana.com
📱 Call/Text: 785-409-9491
💼 Slumber and Shine Sleep, LLC
📍 Location: Virtual appointments are available so I can support families from all over
🌐 Website: slumberandshinesleep.com
📱 Call/Text: 785-409-9491
Haylee, thank you for all you do to support families in our community—you’re truly an inspiration!
💬 Know a local mom who deserves the spotlight?
We’d love to hear from you! Nominate her (or yourself!) for a future Mom of the Month feature by sending an email to brittanym@macaronikid.com or by completing this form. This is all about uplifting and connecting women who are doing amazing things—both at home and in the community.
