Changes - Local, National and Personal

February 24, 2022 87 Comments

Every time I think I have something figured out, it changes!  The last 2 years have been the most trying as a business owner.  Just before Covid happened, I moved my studio and brick and mortar store a block down the street to a new location on our town square.  I was so excited, the building is awesome and I had room to expand the studio with a classroom.

Then, COVID hit and we had to shut down for a few months.  We adapted, we offered online services and curb pick up.  

Then our city shut down the streets in our whole downtown for some water main work from Oct-Dec, through the biggest selling season of the year.  We adapted, continuing our online, curb side and added in delivery services.  We took it in stride and made the best of it.

Then for the entire year of 2021, the street we are on became a detour route for I69, which was shut down for construction by the state.  The stop sign on my pedestrian friendly corner was removed to accomodate traffic. But we hung in there.

2022 - The city has the 2 blocks behind us fenced off for construction of a new performance venue, Covid is still hanging around, inflation and world politics are in a state of unrest which among other things, is causing my material prices to increase.

My plan is to make the best of it, use up what I have in the studio to keep from raising prices as long as I can.  I don't know what comes next and my brain is tired of trying to adapt and figure it out.  

When things like this happen self doubt creeps in big time.  Should I do this?  Do people even want this?  Is it necessary? While I try to be creative on my social media posts, I feel like I am begging people to shop.  When you work alone, make decisions on your own and try to plan on your own, it is HARD!  You only have you to blame.  I try to get opinions and ideas from friends and family to help with some of it but the bottom line is it is all on me and I'm not sure I like that.

Don't get me wrong, I truly believe everything that has happened and is happening will be good for our community, it has taken a toll on those of us living through it.  

I feel like I am rambling but just needed to get these thoughts out of my head so I can move on to new and exciting thoughts!  Thanks for reading if you are still with me and if you would like to comment with any suggestions, ideas and thoughts, it would mean the world to me!

 

 

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