So when is the shop opening?!
Well, unfortunately the answer to this question is not any time soon.
Almost six months ago, I made the amazing announcement that I signed the lease to a store front and that my dream was coming true! All the stars seemed to be aligning leading up to the signing: 1) the rent was manageable 2) the location was awesome 3) a family friend was to be my landlord, what could go wrong, right?! Famous last words.
Rather than get into a play by play of how the months dragged on in pre-permitting hell and “he said, she said” the bottom line is, the location is not zoned correctly and even more of a bottom line is: I was majorly misinformed about the property. And the bare bones bottom line is: We trusted someone who we thought we could trust but blatantly lied to our faces. When it comes to business and money, never trust anyone on their word.
So basically, my family and I poured thousands of dollars into a business venture that was stopped cold by a simple, “Oh, I never said that.” And some of you might be saying, “didn’t you sign paperwork, anything?” Yes we did. The bare fact is this person has the wealthy means to drag this out in court and this girl is tapped out. The reason for this blog is simply this. I still can’t manage to get through this story without blubbering, or at least tearing up. Sorry, I’m a chick and this is sad. So this is a means to send out blanket information to all my super amazing family and friends that have been so supportive of me taking a chance. And that is reality folks, not all chances pan out.
So what now?
Well I’ve already adapted my wardrobe to be all black, stopped washing my hair, shunned sunlight and pierced at least four body parts…. Of course, I’m kidding. What now is that life moves on, of course.
Business wise, I am not financially able to simply find another location (did I mention I was NOT reimbursed the commercial rent I paid on a residential spot?). And honestly I’m not emotionally ready either, I is drained. Personally, I have always lived my life to strongly believe in two mantras, “Everything Happens For A Reason” and “What Goes Around, Comes Around.” I’m a generally sunny person and don’t plan on letting someone get me down. Things like this happen all the time. I’m an extremely lucky and blessed person; I have an amazingly supportive super hero of a husband (seriously can someone make this kid a cape?) and equally amazingly supportive parents who put their time and money into this venture. My Mom, Dad, and Husband are my biggest blessings. Also I have an amazing group of friends who did so much for the shop. Big shout out to Kelly Hewitt, of Melodious Monster, who spent hours of her time painting her amazing monsters to adorn the walls. One of the biggest bummers about this entire thing is I won’t be able to feature her art in the shop, as promised. On the upside, I got to know a really cool talented chick!
So is the dream over?
Of course not! Things that are meant to happen will happen. (This is a mantra thick blog post) I refuse to let one asshole crush a dream. The shop idea is not dead… just postponed. I’m going to get another job and continue to do Sweets! as a part time gig. All the while saving up and replenishing my savings. Now the plan is to change my focus on another dream, starting a family. So the shift is from buttercream to babies… that ain’t too bad.
The moral of the story is this. Shit happens, most of the time to good people. But I’m thankful for so many things in my life; I can’t let my job define my happiness. We have our health, we have our love and now we have a great story to tell our grandkids of that time Grandma took a chance. Because I’d rather fall over and over than be too afraid to stand.
(Yes, folks she gets another mantra in, under the wire!)