So, in response to your questions — personal and professional — I’ve decided to do a quick personal post about ME, the “original” WOW member. =) I had fun with this, and hope you have some fun reading it. Thanks for your super – nosey questions. =)
Q: When did you decide to be a business owner?
A: Not for many years after I was actually in business for myself. In the beginning years, my mindset was that of a “work from home” employee. I had several “bosses” but I was essentially creating a flexible, good paying job for myself. Eventually, I stopped settling for “making ends meet” and got serious about my business. If I had to guess it would have been around 2004. Technically, legally, I’d been in business since 1999.
Q: What did you want to be “when you grew up” when you were in high school?
A: First of all, this wasn’t a frequent dinner table conversation topic in my house. We enjoyed life day to day back then and I loved it. Many of my friends’ parents pushed and pressured them about the future. They were in SAT prep classes and worried over “community involvement” holes on their college applications. They stressed over grades and attendance and teacher recommendations. I was SO glad not to be them.
Beyond my ULTIMATE LIFE GOALS of becoming a wife and mother, I look back and –at first glance — it would seem I had very little clarity beyond that. Going to college even was just a “maybe” for me. It sort of sounded like something I should do. I had to declare a major when applying for colleges and when my guidance counselor prodded me about what I “wanted to be” I flippantly mentioned that I liked what Heather Locklear did on the show Melrose Place. She owned an advertising agency. Maybe I was more clear than I thought… =)
Q: What were you like as a teenager?
A: Depends on who you ask. =) For my parents, I think I was EASY in that they always knew I’d take care of myself. And SUPER HARD because I wore my emotions on my sleeve and because I was stubborn, argumentative, and smart. My teachers — I think — had a certain respect for me. I always did my own thing, carved my own path. I didn’t posture or kiss up, so strong teachers loved me. Others, not so much. And while my junior high and high school administrators don’t have me “BANNED FROM SCHOOL PROPERTY” list, I seriously doubt I’m on their mental list of “Man, I’d love to see that kid again.”
I’ve heard my friends say that I “always did what I said I was going to do.” In this way, I was predictable. Unfortunately, what I SAID I was going to do wasn’t always noble. It wasn’t even always legal. I had very few fears and almost no need for the acceptance or approval of others. And I was loyal. I have NO regrets regarding what I wish I had done “back then.” And I have no regrets regarding the things I did do. I ALWAYS worked and made my own money. I also cheered and was on my high school drama team. I loved doing both.
I was voted “Most LIkely to Become a Driver’s Ed Teacher” by my senior class — given my difficulty adhering to speed limits, and my penchant for total-ing cars in various ways. Not super impressive.
Q: How’d you meet your mister?
A: We went to Great Bridge Intermediate together when he lived with is Dad. He went to live with his mom, though, in the 7th grade. We OFFICIALLY met in biology lab class our freshman year at Virginia Tech. He was scrawny and young looking. Like a little boy. Fast forward to our junior year when we met again… and WHOA! Muscles everywhere. I could hardly believe it was him. I was smitten. I told my mom that I’d met the man I would marry. She asked if HE knew I was going to marry him. I said, “Not yet.” lol… Thankfully, he figured it out.
Q: What do you stress over MOST?
A: I have a growing intolerance for willful ignorance. And I stress more than I should over bad service at restaurants and retail establishments. I — of course — stress over my kids. Am I doing what I should be and all I can do for them? Am I doing too much? Pushing too hard or too little? Should I say yes or no? Are they safe? I stress over my weight. I want to lose weight for ONE reason: to not think anymore about how I look in jeans. Honestly… I just want to stop stressing over what to wear. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been ENOUGH of a motivator to keep me away from the peanut butter. =) I stress over my marriage when things aren’t right in that department. I stress over my dogs if something’s wrong and I don’t know what it is.
Q: What do you MOST enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
A: I LOVE “slow country nights” at home. This morning, my Mister and I walked the garden with our coffee and assessed its progress. Loved every minute of it. I love watching Secrets and Lies with Shelbey and listening to her talk about her days in long-winded detail. I love talking with Summer and her friends and hearing their perspective on life and boys and school and makeup. I love the closeness I have with my CJ and our time in the car together to / from practice. I love that my nephew simply calls me “Aunt” and my heart soars when he texts me and asks to come over to stay the night or the weekend. He knows he doesn’t have to ask, but I love that he still loves being here. I love hearing Kenzy call me “Aunn-ie” and love her snuggle time and listening to her read. I love my bath time, reading, and dreaming about my business. My girls and I have a nightly routine that is just precious to me. I love great restaurants and really love doing my makeup.
Q: What one thing would you change about your business?
A: Years ago, back in about 2000, I saw this website that helped people transition from JOBs to being business owners. It’s still a great site, check it out here. I thought, “MAN, I wish I’d thought of doing something like that.” As if there was room ONLY for 2 sites, I thought I’d missed my big opportunity. =) Essentially, I wish I’d gone big in the direction of my dreams much sooner. Much bigger. Much sooner.
So, that’s about it. Thanks for your questions, for your interest. If you have any others, post a comment below. =)
