One piece of advice:

Be kind! Be kind to others and be kind to yourself as you navigate the business ownership process, just be kind. 

Last week we had a major problem at our restaurant location. The truck driver delivery a massive load of 22 pallets, 4 of which weighed about as much as a Honda Civic each! He was ready for us to take our load out of his truck but we were not told to have a fork lift. As fear sunk in and arrangements were in the works, I stepped away and said a prayer for guidance. With the HUGE disconnect between the place we ordered tables and chairs from and the trucking company, we were truly stuck. Luckily, with our natural kind nature, things were smoothed over and he was willing to work with us. He had planned a 2 hour delivery window and it turned into 7 hours! By the end we were hugging Nicholas and he went on his way! He mentioned that "if you weren't so kind, I would have dumped the load somewhere and left." (this is not me being dramatic, it was a major ordeal for all involved)

For the last 16 months during the process of starting our business, we have had to learn patience. This could be the lesson but more importantly, being kind in our struggles, we've had things work out in a much more beautiful way than we could have dreamed of!

President Monson shared from his "Finishers Wanted" talk from June 1989 that Jesus said to David to go sell his belongings and give to the poor. President Monson said, "He preferred the comforts of earth to the treasures of heaven. He would not purchase the things of eternity by abandoning those of time." This lesson really spoke to me. The treasures of heaven can be right here on earth if we place our priorities in line with an eternal perspective. Be kind and have a heart that listens to the spirit as you are directed down paths where you can do good and be of service.

My final words of advice that I want to remember to give to myself, along with the advice of being kind, is to enjoy the process! Enjoy the people that cross your path. Enjoy the journey and remember that things happen for a reason at the perfect moment they are suppose to happen!

 

Chapter Closed

The reflection of another semester coming to a close brings feelings of completion, feelings of sadness when it was so enjoyable, sometimes feelings of "finally", so many wrapped up feelings! 

Looking over 13 weeks: Bucket list, measuring our life, spreading happiness, passion, challenges, disciple leadership, dreaming big, measuring costs, being a change-maker, and to end this journey on gratitude and showing love to others who we partner with, I could not have asked for a more enlightening semester! 

4 years ago I started my education journey on a whim. As I mention that remember that I do not believe in coincidences and that I belief with my whole heart that Heavenly Father has a way of guiding us to be better and things line up in perfect timing. I had my husband and kids ask me, what do you want to do for work after graduation? I couldn't even think that far in advance but I said, "Nothing! I don't need to work outside of the home. I am just going to school to learn." Fast forward to today! The information and the knowledge that I've gained while working on my business management degree have all played a major role in opening our business! From creating the LLC to signing leases to hiring reputable construction crews with insurance tape slapped onto everything, I've been able to keep learning but I have the base knowledge I didn't have 4 years ago.

We all have the potential to learn. The potential to grow. The potential to take risks. We all the the potential to be touched by others and their stories and the ability to love more than we ever knew we were able! The gratitude I have to my husband for his love and support for 27 years, the love from my kids and grandbabies, the love I feel from my neighbors and friends, my local community, my professors that I've never been able to shake hands with, the gratitude almost hurts. It hurts so much that the tears squeeze from my eyes. 

Thank you for the support, the listening ear, the information that has taken hold of my heart, thank you from a distance and I hope to meet you one day!