My New Business Adventure: The Back Story
Three years ago I wanted to have a boutique party in my home for Christmas. Having my blog, Penelope's Pitstop, at the time, I had great relationships with some really cute vendors. I asked a few of my favorites if they did trunk shows and one even suggested I become a wholesaler. I remember that feeling of dread that hit me when I heard the word "Wholesaler." I had no idea what that entailed! But...I did it. I applied for my first EIN number and little did I know what my future held! While searching for other cute vendors a friend suggested Write Away. She told me they had really cute stationery and would be perfect for my party. I contacted the owners and before I knew it, I was signed up as a rep. Who says "No" to cute paper? Not only did I love the products, but I loved the girls that owned the company. They were so nice, strong Christians and they both had a great story to tell.
After my party, which was a success, I continued to have people calling to buy more paper and more t-shirts. Around that time, I heard about being a vendor in the schools and started making visits to a few of the elementary schools. As that grew, I was asked repeatedly for a website. "Huh?" I hadn't thought about that. I didn't even have a name...I was just peddling cute paper and t-shirts for fun. I decided it was time to figure it out. In April of 2011 I launched my online store as Tippie Toads. I only sold T-shirts and Write Away Stationery. As that grew, I REALLY wanted to learn how to design my own stationery and taught myself how to use Photoshop. {Not an easy task!} As I grew with my own things, I had less time to focus on Write Away and I hit some bumps in my health. I was sad to do it, but at that point, I let my Write Away relationship go.
{Fast forward 7 months.}
The day I left The Stationery Academy in July, which now that I think about it, it was my BIRTHDAY! I received an email from Meredith, one of the owners of Write Away Stationery, asking if I would be interested in purchasing Write Away. I was sitting in my hotel room furiously designing orders before I left for the airport and laughed out loud. "No way!" I didn't have time, my health, of course, was a thorn in my side. Money? Babe was looking for a job and I didn't think we could take a risk like that. Not to mention, "HOW do I buy a business?" Reps? They have reps to manage? How do I do that? The thoughts that came to my head were endless and a resounding N.O.
As I flew home, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Going on 7 months, Babe and I had been praying intently for his job situation. In those 7 months our priorities had changed in that Babe was TIRED of the commute, TIRED of the stress and ready to be closer to home, spend MORE time at home and refocus our lives on what was important to us. We were ready to sell our house, move where the Lord wanted us, change our lifestyle. We were ready and willing, we just needed to be pointed in the right direction. After all those prayers for our job situation, it never occurred to me that maybe God was providing a job opportunity for ME. I had already been approached about going back into OT on a part-time basis, but we really worried about my ability to take care of my body and work outside of the house. In hind-site, my decline in health has been gradual over a long period of time and REALLY started affecting me!
That night I mentioned it to Babe and he was surprisingly receptive. He said what I was thinking. "Penny, after all the time we have spent praying about jobs, maybe we should at least look into it." My sentiments exactly. So began our discussions with Meredith and Sarah at Write Away. Babe did most of the talking as I sat in a corner holding my stomach. I really wasn't feeling well and just couldn't fathom taking this on. But my desire and excitement continued to grow. I started really worrying about the added stress simply because Babe was believing in me to make this a success...with a pretty penny attached. I would be responsible for paying for a business at the expense of our savings account at a time when we were not even sure that Babe would have a job by the end of the year. From stay-at-home mom to risk-taker....that only added to my stress!
At one point, we actually walked away from it. From my health perspective, I breathed a sigh of relief on that Friday. But, by Monday morning we had a deal. AHHH! And my ideas started flowing again...
So much has happened since then, but I am sure that was sometime in August or September? We set a closing date for the middle of October. I was buying a real business. Somehow, it was different than Tippie Toads, as I grew Tippie Toads slowly. Now, this was a big deal! Then, on October 2nd I went to the ER and everything changed. I spent the month of October in and out of doctors offices and the hospital and LOTS of time in bed. UGH. Meredith and Sarah were amazing, sympathetic, understanding, prayerful. At the time I spoke with them about my status, I thought I was having surgery and they prayed for me over the phone. These girls are beyond amazing. The kind of friends I like to keep and yet I have never met them in person. We decided to delay closing until the end of the year to allow for a full recovery on my part.
GRATEFULLY, when surgery was avoided, after a couple weeks of recovery at home we rescheduled our closing, yet again, for November 7th. As I started getting a handle on my health and having more pain-free time, my ideas started flowing again and my excitement started building! This actually gave me something to think about and motivate me thru my days at home.
So...on Wednesday, November 7th, I arrived at my lawyer's office and closed on Write Away. I am officially on a new trek in my life and thrilled to be here.
Check it out! And buy lots of Christmas gifts :) www.writeaway.com
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