I've decided sell Broadway Paper.
There. I've said it. Whew? I'm not sure.
I've struggled with this for so long, but the truth is ... the time has come. It's bittersweet ... the store is my baby. I've taken it from a 1,200 square foot outlet with $400,000 in annual sales, to a 3,200 square foot boutique with over a million dollars in sales. I'm not a boastful or proud woman, but I do feel quite honored by that accomplishment.
We get national press. Our little paper store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is listed in national magazines ... I guess that causes me to 'puff my feathers' a bit! :)
We have web clients from all over the United States ... amazing to me! Some are celebrities even.
That's hard to let go of ... but unfortunately, I must. I have four children at home. My oldest is in 8th grade, and very recently having a really hard time with bullying at school. Middle school ... yuck!
As much as I would've liked to be home with them when they were babies, I'm realizing that it's almost more important to be home with them as they're older. When they walk in after a bad day at school, I don't want to be so distracted that I 'miss' what their faces are saying, even if their words don't.
I used to be a woman who wanted to do it all. But I just can't anymore. I'm not superwoman, and I don't want to try to be anymore. Sweet Jenny {of LobotoME}, has ever so kindly thanked me for not being a superhuman! :)
{The baby just woke up crying, and yeah okay, so she's not exactly a baby ... but still. So she was just screaming for me, and as I'm holding her, smelling her sweet baby smell (yeah, she still has that smell), thinking of this post that I'm in the middle of ... I know I'm doing the right thing.}
It has taken a lot of thought, consideration and tears to come to this conclusion. But I knew that, one day, if this was the conclusion I came to ... it would be the right one. No regrets. And that's where I stand now.
The thing is, I'm blessed enough to be able to stay home. I feel God has been leading me in this direction and I need to take advantage of it.
I'm in the process of listing with a broker. I've also had some discussion with Paper Source. I'll keep y'all updated as I begin this journey ... and hey, if you know someone that is looking for a paper store of their very own ... give me a holler!
I'll continue to post, as I'm still completely inspired and drawn to beautiful designs. You may have noticed though, that posting is light. I'm really trying to keep my focus on my family right now. Not to mention I'm feeling the stress of Christmas {really? 10 days away??}.
I thank you all ... deeply thank you, for your continued support and love of all things paper ...
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16 comments:
Wow, what a hard decision, but one that you won't regret. My oldest is almost 18 and my youngest is 5 and I agree with you that I think it's so important to be available to your children the older they get. God bless you.
I have tears in my eyes right now - both for you selling your store (which must be VERY hard to do) and because you're doing this to be there for your family. What an amazing mother you are!! My step-daughter is currently in the 8th grade and I know first-hand how challenging a time that is for them. Having you home will most certainly make a difference for her.
Thank you for sharing this bittersweet news with us and in such a personal way. Although I'll never have the pleasure of meeting you in person, I feel like I know you through your blogs. Hopefully you'll keep us up to date on the next chapter in your life.
If I lived closer to Wisconsin, you can bet I'd be doing everything in my power to purchase your "baby." While that isn't an option for me now, I just know you'll find the perfect person.
I wish you the best of luck!
Oh my goodness! What a huge announcement and decision. I'm glad you're happy about making the right choice. I hope you find the perfect person to hand your treasure to. Keep us updated!
Best of luck to you. I hope someone as dedicated as you purchases the store, and maybe once the kids are grown you can come back to it.
What a huge decision for you to make. I'm sure you won't regret taking the time to be with your family more... you'll have memories that you'll never forget!
This is sad news but I totally understand your decision to move on. I love Broadway Paper and am so glad that I was able to purchase from you over the past couple of years.
Best of luck in the future!
How hard it must have been to come to this decision… but what a wonderful reason to do so. Here's to a smooth transition – your store is one that I've been very proud to be a part of!
Oh no. I love visiting this store whenever I am up from Chicago. I hope the new owners will take as much pride in the store as you have over the years.
I'm in the process of trying to open a paper store in Omaha, NE. Any chance we can relocate Broadway Paper?!
Tracie - As I told you before, this is the beginning of a new chapter in your life and that is cause to celebrate! We will miss you dearly but congratulations on your decision! Happy Holidays to you & yours!
xoxo, jenny
You are an amazing woman, this just proves it. You've built an exciting and successful business, and now you get to enjoy your kids before they're all grown up. You know well that making tough decisions is what it takes to be a success, so well done, and best wishes!
Wow- this is such sad news for your fellow retailers, as I don't know who will do as good a job as you have!!
But.. I know you will only let the right person take it over.
and Congratulations to you for making this move, it is bitter sweet!
deanna - freckle face
Decided to sell your baby?!?! Such bittersweet news. I'm sure it was a hard decision, once you've prayed about for a long time now. I wish you the best of luck with your new job... as #1 Momma.
Just to let you know, your blog has been overly inspiring & stimulating to me and my friend whose dream is to set up a store like yours.
Good luck with all your life endeavors. You've done a phenomenal job with Broadway Paper!
WOW. I haven't "come by" for too long, so I'm just now catching up on everything. That IS big news. I can't imagine what a tough decision this was for you, but when you know it's right, it's right. And you know your kids are gonna love having their mom home. I hope you keep blogging and posting inspiring ideas and designs!
You put your heart and soul into everything you do and you do it so well. Your such an awesome mom that I can't imagine you could be any better at it but you will.
You are being led in the right direction!
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