Today was the public announcement of the end of a dream. Of course I knew it was coming for a long time, but somehow, to see it in writing, announced out loud, well, it did something to my psyche. That is why I am here, sipping on a glass of wine in front of my blog, feeling a little sorry for myself. Hey, I'm entitled to - especially on this occasion. My sister and I put all our passion, time, and energy, an our business, but it wasn't enough. Two years ago, we opted to close 2 of our 3 stores in the hopes that the 3rd store would manage to hang on. Alas, not so. The passion is gone, the energy is lacking, and the time is not available anymore.... Today we announce the final liquidation sale, everything must go - the end of our dreams. We won't make a dime from any of the proceeds, they will all be swallowed up into the business loan we will still be paying years from now.
I know we are not alone, but it's not really any comfort - this is the reality of many small businesses out there these days. Everything was done by the books - great business plan, budgets, meticulous accounting - and still...internet orders and the store purchases shrank in value as the recession settled in, and they never really bounced back. What was a normal sale in 2006 would be a huge sale today.
Am I bitter - no. Am I sad, yes - when we were hot, we were really hot - having the time of our lives, and those memories will remain with me forever. I do miss the people, Claudia, Myriam, Gisèle, Josée - pictured below with me at the cash counter in the Laval store - they were a great bunch, as well as Teresa, and the entire team in Candiac - all those employees now on to other jobs - and now the Scrapbookerie will soon be just a paragraph on their CV. sigh..... Will I survive - of course! I have a great job that I absolutely love and a family that is standing by me despite everything. After all, I'm not the one dying, my business is, and I won't miss it - it has been on it's death bed for so long that I feel it's like a mercy killing. Now my evenings will be my own - no more coming home after a long day at the office to piles of accounting for the Scrapbookerie.
A little more time for myself, sounds like a good idea.
RIP Scrapbookerie!
That is sad, I've never had my own business but I imagine when you do you invest as much of yourself as you invest money. Still, at least you can look back and say "I did that" instead of "I wonder what would've happened if I did that". I think that counts for something.
ReplyDeleteAs a small business owner myself, I understand how you feel.
ReplyDeleteI am soooo sorry.