The girls and I are back from our 'research' trip to Homestead in Fredericksburg, Texas. 100 degrees was waiting for us but we were up for the task. We discovered some great stores, had great food (see list below) and met with Tim Bolton and Homestead designer Cecilia to discuss our new furniture venture. We were absorbing every word from master retailer Tim and learning just exactly how the Carol Hicks Bolton line was born with E.J. Victor. Carol met with us the next day at a great wine bar (with Tim as well) and there my staff met the lovely and gracious artist in residence herself. Carol proceeded to tell the history of Homestead and all they have learned in their last 20 years in business. We were so grateful for their honesty and advice. Who else to learn from than those who were there before us? We were also moved by their stories of the mission field they volunteer for many times a year; always keeping a focus on what is most important.
For me, going to Texas and "worshipping at the mount" (as one of my friends called it!) was certainly energizing but also very soul searching. Running a successful business is full time work no matter how long you have been doing it or how many employees you have or where you are located. Hearing from Carol what she wished they had done early on and what they should be doing now was overwhelming. During dinner after our meeting I was quiet and somber. I kept thinking: How will I be able to do all of this? How can I maintain a lovely store, keep it filled with great merchandise, do some design work, shop for antiques, balance the checkbook, get press for my styling, keep employees trained and motivated, customers happy, the next season prepped.... and the list goes on. I have to be honest with you (and some of you business owners know the answer) I don't know how! Abby asked me back at the cabin the next morning, "Now what?" All I could come up with was that nothing was going to change for now. We are going to fine tune everyone's job description, keep store operations running smoothly, get ready for our Sidewalk Sale June 21 and storewide clearance throughout July and prepare for fall. The big picture is something I think about all day; when I first wake up, when I drive to the store, when I work at my desk, when I lie in bed at night. Changes that are significant to any success do not happen overnight as much as my "I want it perfect now!" mentality wants it to and it is certainly not done by just one person. If it weren't for my magnificent support staff, I'd be in a puddle on the floor. Getting better at something is a slow, steady process. I hope you come along and watch the progress because things will only keep getting better.
www.homesteadstores.com
www.johnsonnewmanantiques.com
www.haberdasheryboutique.com
www.rathersweet.com
www.thenestrestaurant.com
www.cuveewine.net
