Today has been a big day. Like, life changing. I took the morning to go on a field trip with the #fivester. It was the perfect, cool day to run around a pumpkin patch with a bunch of excited kindergartners. As a working mom, I’ve wanted more of this and often felt like I was letting my kids down by not being able to volunteer at school, attend every field trip, or even pick them up when school is out, instead of two hours later at the aftercare program. I’ve struggled with this for years.
You see, I started work at my corporation in 2009, and I purchased it in 2015. As President of a corporation, I’ve felt every ounce of weight that comes with the success and the failure and the in-between. It’s been amazing at times, and down-right excruciating others. I love my employees like family and have known them for most of my life. But no matter how good it’s been when it’s good, this is not what I want to do with the rest of my life.
A few months ago, I made the decision to sell my business and transfer my staff to the new company. When I left the pumpkin patch this afternoon, I came into my office and did just that: signed over my customer database and relinquished my rights to conduct business with them. My employees now work for someone else, and my building is up for sale. This is exactly what I wanted, and yet the tears flow as I sit at my desk in the quiet of an empty building. The only thing remaining on my wall is the 20 Rules for Managing a Small Business that my father gave me when I bought the company. I’ve held fast to many of these rules and done my best to run a successful business and treat my employees well. I’m sad to be closing this chapter.
But, I know in my heart of hearts that this is the best decision for my life. My family will be happier, I will be happier. My employees will be well taken care of and the customers I have spent 13 years building relationships with now have other people to serve them. Everything is happening exactly as it’s supposed to. This moment is bittersweet, but I know it’s RIGHT.
So tonight I’ll celebrate with an adult beverage, probably cry a little more, and then I’ll get back to work clearing out my warehouse…in two weeks when I get back from vacation with my husband!! Wish me luck, friends, I’m in uncharted territory here and have no idea what’s coming next!
XOXO -Mer
