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!