Greetings! I hate that I've been away too long... I've been extremely busy this month exploring the world of Mary Kay. I've been attending meetings, boot camp, hosting parties, and even attending the Reno Career Conference in the middle of a snow storm. I dove right in and have been having a blast.
It has been a roller coaster of a month, well the past few months really aside from Mary Kay... I mentioned awhile back that I really wanted to open a brick and mortar store, but it has been exceptionally hard to find the right property, in the right location, for the right price. I knew the business model would develop after I found the right property, and I almost found the right place... twice.
I've come so close to signing a lease twice since the beginning of February. First, for a book, gift, and flower shop. Then the landlord took two weeks to draft a lease after we already agreed on everything, it caused me to doubt whether it was right or not. But while waiting I found my dream place, and then I was grateful for the delay. However, the place was not zoned for retail, the exception in zoning code was an art gallery or tea house. So I revised my whole business plan for a cozy tea house / gallery that sat in a historic neighborhood in Carson City between two existing galleries, excited because a tea house would be as close to a bed and breakfast as I will get at this stage in my life. When I had the neighborhood blessing, the health department's blessing, and put in an offer, the landlord then decided she'd prefer an 'easier' business like another accountant or attorney. Because our community will benefit from another office professional occupying precious historic real estate, rather than trying to preserve an old-fashioned business model which no longer exists in our community for people to gather for parties.
(My plan to pursue a brick and mortar store also temporarily delayed a lot of promotions and advertising I was doing for Lulabelle Gifts and Gallery because I was hoping to incorporate it there if anyone was wondering. I will be adjusting the business model soon for more affordable price points, stay tuned.)
Needless to say, I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted from 'things not coming to fruition'. One word I've learned from Mary Kay this month is GRIT. I allowed myself a few days to recollect... BUT yesterday I pulled my laptop back out to refocus on my first passion which was pushed to the back burner the past couple of months... writing.
I didn't realize I'm only a few chapters away from finishing my first FICTION book (Patisserie in the Alps) until I reformatted it yesterday in book layout! Swiss Escape is another fiction book that I'm about 1/3 done writing. It motivates me to print out the manuscripts to get closer to crossing the finish line.
Also, I posted on Facebook and Instagram yesterday that I FINALLY have signed author copies for my memoir, Running Away to Europe available thru me for $12 with FREE shipping (cheaper than Amazon), and I sold a few already. Yea!
Sorry I haven't shared much of my plans... I really wanted a definitive plan before I shared any good news, but I've got to the point where the journey is either taking too long, or someone is trying to tell me it's not right time. So, now I'll just include you in this path of continued self-discovery!