Quote of the Day

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. Niccolo Machiavelli

The Begininng

So....

I am getting it all together. Working around the clock under all my firey circumstances, to start my own business.

I graduated from UCSD with a BA in Political Science/American Politics and Law and Psychology. What a mix right? I then continued (which I had been doing my whole life) to work for my dad who has ran his own business(es) for almost forty years.

Well, I helped him from answering phones and typing labels to bookkeeping, business plans for start-up of new businesses, and everything in-between and more. Time came my work was mostly from home due to my kids and he needed to downsize or go out of business so there went my job.

I searched for months for the right job but nothing came up. I sent 2-5 resumes out a day. I lived the last year and a half with barely a pot to piss in and a marriage struggling on top of three kids under the age of five.

I have two passions- shopping and writing. Well, no publisher is going to knock on my door and I struggled to figure out how to get samples out there. No luck- too much going on to do more than blog, short stories or poetry. The Next Great American Novel will just have to wait. I will still write it but for now, let's persue the next best thing.

Time to start my own business. Be dependent on myself and perservere no matter what the struggles.

I'm going to open a resale shop. I wanted to open a children's boutique (on top of my many ideas) but it is 2008 and a major recession where most people are struggling to keep their houses and pay their bills. But that doesn't mean they still don't want to have nice things - including clothes.

If you would have asked me five or ten years ago if I would have been happy to wear someone else's clothes with holes that were not what I would have picked first-hand I would have probably laughed at you. I'm not a snob but I didn't think the 90's and 70's Mortgage Crisis would repeat itself and put me in this position.

But, third pregnancy came and I was happy just to have something that fit around my growing belly. Even better would have been some nicer stuff but there just wasn't anything in the area. Nada. Nothing. Children's Resale stores cost more in gas than they necessary. I saw a market and I jumped.

Since I got the idea and the (hopefully) financial backer (since I'm strapped) I worked my ass off to make this dream a reality. I posted an ad on craigslist with not only an overwhelming response of "please we need something in the area" and "finally an upscale resale boutique with a mixture of used and new" but met several great people with great suggestions, helpful ideas and more. I have an appointment with a mentor, a start on a business plan, a possible affordable location, and more. I am GOING to open an upscale resale children's boutique with a "niche" to make my store worth coming to. Watch me. Or read if you aren't in the area!

I need to pay the rent of what was once my mortgage but still be with my kids somewhat. I need to not put my baby in daycare because I HAD HIM and I Will Raise Him. I will be sucessful and I will do whatever it takes. As for my girls, I'll still be raising them. My kids are my drive and I will also be with them. I'll have a children's area for others and for when they need to come to work with me. The baby will be there at least two or three days probably. My two-year old will be three soon and can spend a little extra time in preschool with me still there the rest of the time and my soon-to-be kindergartener will be spending most of her time well, in Kindergarten. (Not thinking about that.)

Damnit I can and will do this. I worked from home at night doing bookkeeping and more for at least four years so I know I can run part of this from home and the rest will be spent in the store- and that's OK. We are still here. Still in our house near our family and I need to depend on ME. Backbone here I come again. Watch the F*** out.

Read my posts. Make your own dreams come true. Just don't open a shop within 15 miles or so of me and their won't be any brawls :)