Val
January 1st, 2007, 05:02 PM
And I can hardly believe it! It's quiet, the sun is shining and I'm just a bit emotional, and here's why....
One year ago today, I opened the doors to this frame shop, as new owner. The shop had been in this location for 8 years, the previous owner had lost interest and was planning to lock the doors and walk away on December 31st, when, In mid-November, I walked in to say hello, and he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. “Val…wanna buy the frame shop? ”….”Yes”….”Really?”….”Yes...I think so….
"
The night before, I came home late from a particularly frustrating day at my job as framing manager at a BB, and looked skyward, bawling, and said “Whoever it is that hears these things, please hear this…I’m done! And I don’t know what to do next, please just show me” I had no idea, but here I am today, one year later, still in awe that my name is on the business license and that I actually survived this first year.
This shop looked more like a dirty warehouse than a frameshop/gallery. So we painted, cleaned, moved things around, unpacked boxes from the basement full of moulding samples and put carpet on every available surface and got them up. We updated the price list, fixed the ailing v-nailer and chopper, sharpened blades, and got a computer. We threw out tons and tons of trash, built art bins and shelving and work tables and framed-framed-framed. We framed prints to put up and talked to artists and got art and stained glass in for the gallery to start selling.
In March, a water pipe burst and wiped out my entire matboard inventory, a lot of moulding, and ruined my mat cutter. (Insurance took 6 months to settle, and I had to use a little Logan hobby model to cut all my mats until I could get a new one!) 3 days later, I had the first of 2 total hip replacements….unexpected, the second one 6 weeks later. And with the help of my husband and friends, I got through and got stronger and carried on.
This little shop has really grown, and is thriving, and healthy and happy and no longer doomed and lonely. My customers from the other places I had framed have followed me here and have been faithful and wonderful, and telling their friends and keeping my verrrry busy!
I'm so grateful to them too.
I discovered the Grumble right before I found out I would be back in my own shop once again, and the Grumblers have taught me so much, and answered my bazillion questions and given me support and the encouragement to keep on keepin’ on all year, when, at times, I wondered "What on earth have I done???"..sometimes tired and frustrated and frightened. And then you told me to quit whining and suck it up and just git-er-done, and made me mad enough to do just that!
I just want to say “THANK YOU!!!” to all of you, my Grumble Family. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m ready for 2007, having fastened my seatbelt, done a ton of research, and prayed an awful lot! I have exciting plans and goals, new equipment planned, help to hire, etc., and can only wonder what lies around each corner. I'm learning to be more of a businesswoman, and becoming a better framer, thanks to all of you. I'm excited to meet you all in Vegas in January!
Have I said lately (altogether now….)….
I’m SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!! :D :D :D
One year ago today, I opened the doors to this frame shop, as new owner. The shop had been in this location for 8 years, the previous owner had lost interest and was planning to lock the doors and walk away on December 31st, when, In mid-November, I walked in to say hello, and he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. “Val…wanna buy the frame shop? ”….”Yes”….”Really?”….”Yes...I think so….
"
The night before, I came home late from a particularly frustrating day at my job as framing manager at a BB, and looked skyward, bawling, and said “Whoever it is that hears these things, please hear this…I’m done! And I don’t know what to do next, please just show me” I had no idea, but here I am today, one year later, still in awe that my name is on the business license and that I actually survived this first year.
This shop looked more like a dirty warehouse than a frameshop/gallery. So we painted, cleaned, moved things around, unpacked boxes from the basement full of moulding samples and put carpet on every available surface and got them up. We updated the price list, fixed the ailing v-nailer and chopper, sharpened blades, and got a computer. We threw out tons and tons of trash, built art bins and shelving and work tables and framed-framed-framed. We framed prints to put up and talked to artists and got art and stained glass in for the gallery to start selling.
In March, a water pipe burst and wiped out my entire matboard inventory, a lot of moulding, and ruined my mat cutter. (Insurance took 6 months to settle, and I had to use a little Logan hobby model to cut all my mats until I could get a new one!) 3 days later, I had the first of 2 total hip replacements….unexpected, the second one 6 weeks later. And with the help of my husband and friends, I got through and got stronger and carried on.
This little shop has really grown, and is thriving, and healthy and happy and no longer doomed and lonely. My customers from the other places I had framed have followed me here and have been faithful and wonderful, and telling their friends and keeping my verrrry busy!
I'm so grateful to them too.
I discovered the Grumble right before I found out I would be back in my own shop once again, and the Grumblers have taught me so much, and answered my bazillion questions and given me support and the encouragement to keep on keepin’ on all year, when, at times, I wondered "What on earth have I done???"..sometimes tired and frustrated and frightened. And then you told me to quit whining and suck it up and just git-er-done, and made me mad enough to do just that!
I just want to say “THANK YOU!!!” to all of you, my Grumble Family. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m ready for 2007, having fastened my seatbelt, done a ton of research, and prayed an awful lot! I have exciting plans and goals, new equipment planned, help to hire, etc., and can only wonder what lies around each corner. I'm learning to be more of a businesswoman, and becoming a better framer, thanks to all of you. I'm excited to meet you all in Vegas in January!
Have I said lately (altogether now….)….
I’m SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!! :D :D :D