"As someone who has not made a million dollars in the 10 years I've been in business, it can make you almost want to hang up your apron, lock your doors, and crawl into a hole wondering what you're doing wrong. But, then I remember why I am small by design, and keep things simple on purpose."
Do you ever watch Shark Tank? Occasionally I catch this television series that shows business owners pursuing investments from "sharks" (people who have made a lot of money in their own businesses) to help them grow their business to millionaire or billionaire status. I have to admit, while I find the show fascinating, it also usually leaves me feeling a little inept as a business person. There was a guy on last night who was had made over 2 million dollars in 3 years and the sharks told him he didn't have the sales numbers to make them want to invest. As someone who has not made a million dollars in the 10 years I've been in business, it can make you almost want to hang up your apron, lock your doors, and crawl into a hole wondering what you're doing wrong. But, then I remember why I am small by design, and keep things simple on purpose.
My Own Health and Wellness
I have 3 priorities in my life, and the first is my own health and wellness. Every day I start with morning meditation, move to quiet time enjoying a hot beverage, and then I spend at least an hour tending to our small homestead. I talk to the chickens, pet the cats, hug the horses, and fend off the pushy goats who I would prefer to snuggle, but they just want treats. I walk the pasture, feel the sun on my face (or the rain, or the snow), and give gratitude for my dream life. In these moments I just AM. It reminds me that the past is gone, the future is unknown, but I am here now, and that's everything. I take my days off away from the shop very seriously, letting these days be flowing with self-care appointments, caring for my home, being with my family, reading, exercise, cooking, and listening to my aging body. I rest when I need to rest. This existence allows me to thrive and feel happy even in the most difficult times. When I started my business I made a promise to myself that I would never let it take over my life. Running a micro-business is challenging on the best days, but there is freedom in being your own boss, and to me that outweighs the heartache of days when I sit at the store alone all day, or the months when I hesitantly pay myself even though my bank account is looking grim. Even though the idea of making a lot of money seems tempting, I like uncertainty, it grows my trust that I am on the right path, doing things right. I like having to remain frugal, resourceful, and creative to keep this business going. I like that I depend on a small amount of customers who have become friends rather than a large number of nameless faces that wouldn't be as likely to understand when we have to close for a family emergency or a school play. I like that I can remind myself every day that whatever it is, it is enough.
The Health and Wellness of My Family and Farm
My second priority is the health and wellness of my husband, children, and animals. It is important to me that everyone who steps foot on our homestead feels welcome and cared for. When my kids are happy, I want to be there. When they are heartbroken, I want to be there, too. I love the quiet conversations my husband and I can steal before the kids awake in the morning, I love being present for them instead of in my head thinking about more money or how make my business bigger. I went into this business wanting to make enough of a living that I didn't have to work somewhere else, and that has happened. I have a balance between work and home that I didn't always know was possible. My business might not be the textbook definition of success, but it is exactly what I have wanted since the beginning, and even more in some ways. Textbooks are boring, anyways, don't you think?
My Community's Health and Wellness
I have always felt like YB Urban? is more than a business, it's a community. I want the time and effort that I am putting into my business to benefit those around me...my neighbors, friends, the people who live and work near me. Even my customers who order from us farther away end up feeling like family when they leave me notes in the comments and I see their name over and over. Being able to provide many ways for people to heal their body, mind, and soul feels like meaning and purpose. Being able to make things with my hands, with patience, and mindfulness and knowing who is receiving them is a great gift. A couple of summers ago my best friend brought her husband to visit from Arizona. He was baffled why I wasn't interested in seeing my products in big box stores. To meet that level of production I'd have to give up so much of the process, so much of the interaction, so much downtime, and so much of myself. And why when I am so happy right now? Our products are meant to be found, like little treasures you had no idea existed until you do. Our shop is meant to be explored with patience and conversation. Even the other stores we sell to aren't pushing people through self-checkout lines, they are interactive neighborhood shops like ours. This connection is part of the YB Urban? experience, and if it were up to me, it always would be. Luckily, it is up to me.
My Own Health and Wellness
I have 3 priorities in my life, and the first is my own health and wellness. Every day I start with morning meditation, move to quiet time enjoying a hot beverage, and then I spend at least an hour tending to our small homestead. I talk to the chickens, pet the cats, hug the horses, and fend off the pushy goats who I would prefer to snuggle, but they just want treats. I walk the pasture, feel the sun on my face (or the rain, or the snow), and give gratitude for my dream life. In these moments I just AM. It reminds me that the past is gone, the future is unknown, but I am here now, and that's everything. I take my days off away from the shop very seriously, letting these days be flowing with self-care appointments, caring for my home, being with my family, reading, exercise, cooking, and listening to my aging body. I rest when I need to rest. This existence allows me to thrive and feel happy even in the most difficult times. When I started my business I made a promise to myself that I would never let it take over my life. Running a micro-business is challenging on the best days, but there is freedom in being your own boss, and to me that outweighs the heartache of days when I sit at the store alone all day, or the months when I hesitantly pay myself even though my bank account is looking grim. Even though the idea of making a lot of money seems tempting, I like uncertainty, it grows my trust that I am on the right path, doing things right. I like having to remain frugal, resourceful, and creative to keep this business going. I like that I depend on a small amount of customers who have become friends rather than a large number of nameless faces that wouldn't be as likely to understand when we have to close for a family emergency or a school play. I like that I can remind myself every day that whatever it is, it is enough.
The Health and Wellness of My Family and Farm
My second priority is the health and wellness of my husband, children, and animals. It is important to me that everyone who steps foot on our homestead feels welcome and cared for. When my kids are happy, I want to be there. When they are heartbroken, I want to be there, too. I love the quiet conversations my husband and I can steal before the kids awake in the morning, I love being present for them instead of in my head thinking about more money or how make my business bigger. I went into this business wanting to make enough of a living that I didn't have to work somewhere else, and that has happened. I have a balance between work and home that I didn't always know was possible. My business might not be the textbook definition of success, but it is exactly what I have wanted since the beginning, and even more in some ways. Textbooks are boring, anyways, don't you think?
My Community's Health and Wellness
I have always felt like YB Urban? is more than a business, it's a community. I want the time and effort that I am putting into my business to benefit those around me...my neighbors, friends, the people who live and work near me. Even my customers who order from us farther away end up feeling like family when they leave me notes in the comments and I see their name over and over. Being able to provide many ways for people to heal their body, mind, and soul feels like meaning and purpose. Being able to make things with my hands, with patience, and mindfulness and knowing who is receiving them is a great gift. A couple of summers ago my best friend brought her husband to visit from Arizona. He was baffled why I wasn't interested in seeing my products in big box stores. To meet that level of production I'd have to give up so much of the process, so much of the interaction, so much downtime, and so much of myself. And why when I am so happy right now? Our products are meant to be found, like little treasures you had no idea existed until you do. Our shop is meant to be explored with patience and conversation. Even the other stores we sell to aren't pushing people through self-checkout lines, they are interactive neighborhood shops like ours. This connection is part of the YB Urban? experience, and if it were up to me, it always would be. Luckily, it is up to me.
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