CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio — In August 2020, Canal Winchester resident Benjamin Rowley was one of 850 employees let go from L-Brands, where he had worked in interior design.

“Just have to keep moving, I guess. We didn't think twice about it,” said Benjamin.

So he had a discussion with his wife of 13 years, Cori, about doing some freelance design, further developing their farm, restoring heirloom tools, among other things. 

“We are growing these sheep for wool and we were able to sheer them and now we're boiling down that wool to make lanolin. We also ripped up our front yard. Pretty sure the neighbors had thought we had lost it. But we turned it into a flower field. And we were able to grow thousands and thousands of flowers, and give away hundreds of bouquets to the community,” said Cori.

The Rowley's also acquired a property and home on their street, putting their talents for interior and industrial design together to refurbish and open up an Airbnb to the community. 

They also offer their property as a farmers market and small wedding venue. 

“Right now, what works for us that we're seeing is that it's not just a place to stay but it's an experience,” said Cori. 

For the Rowleys, who have two children, resiliency is key, and they say whenever life causes you to have to pivot, believe in yourself and your abilities. 

“I feel like it's cliché, because all of my friends who have kinda taken leaps and have said it but you literally just have to do it. And you have to trust that you're smart enough and determined enough to make it happen,” said Benjamin.

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