I made an offer on the kitchen store on May 1. Just like that. I just sat down with Gary after work, said how much I wanted to pay, and then signed a Letter of Intent to make it all official and such. Aaron even took a picture of me signing the document. Just in case you were worried that this blog was never going to have any pictures.
A few minutes later, Gary is telling me about the next step, and he says something along the lines of, “So now, Amy, you'll just need to get the down-payment and working capital into your savings account within the next week or so, then you can apply for the SBA loan.”
WOW. I mean wow. FOOM. Reality hits you hard, bro.
I took a deep breath, smiled, and managed to squeak out the words, “Sure, that shouldn't be a problem.”
I'm going to be perfectly honest with you now when I say, I had no idea at the time whether that was true. I certainly hoped it was true. I dreamed it would be true. But I really didn't know if it was true.
On Friday night I constructed a game plan and started facing my fears. Now that the time had come, I realized I was absolutely petrified of asking people for help. And asking people for help with money? A million times worse. There were a lot of tears that night, a lot of me asking myself why on earth someone would want to give me money, why on earth should I presume that people would trust me with that?? There was also a lot of Aaron assuring me that people love me, trust me, and want me to succeed. Assuring me that no matter what, we would make it happen.
Turns out he was right.
And as with so many fears, I quickly learned that, once you face them, they aren't so scary anymore.
So back to the raising dough part. I first decided to make personal calls to a small list of people that I thought might have some cash available for a personal loan. I had butterflies in my stomach for each and every one of those calls, but the response was nothing but positive. Even people who couldn't contribute financially had kind words of support, and offers of advice and help.
In addition, I composed a letter which I sent out to my entire email contacts list, and posted on Facebook.
Guess what happens next? Turns out, when you tell people you have a dream, and then ask them for help, they do just that. So much love and generosity and excitement came pouring my way over the next few days, I was absolutely bowled over. I found myself crying some more, but they were tears of amazement and happiness. All this? For me? Well, to be honest, I really still can't believe it.
My parents are coming for a visit this weekend, and I'm going to show them around the store. I know they are so proud of me, and it's a great feeling.
Love to you all. Amy
A few minutes later, Gary is telling me about the next step, and he says something along the lines of, “So now, Amy, you'll just need to get the down-payment and working capital into your savings account within the next week or so, then you can apply for the SBA loan.”
WOW. I mean wow. FOOM. Reality hits you hard, bro.
I took a deep breath, smiled, and managed to squeak out the words, “Sure, that shouldn't be a problem.”
I'm going to be perfectly honest with you now when I say, I had no idea at the time whether that was true. I certainly hoped it was true. I dreamed it would be true. But I really didn't know if it was true.
On Friday night I constructed a game plan and started facing my fears. Now that the time had come, I realized I was absolutely petrified of asking people for help. And asking people for help with money? A million times worse. There were a lot of tears that night, a lot of me asking myself why on earth someone would want to give me money, why on earth should I presume that people would trust me with that?? There was also a lot of Aaron assuring me that people love me, trust me, and want me to succeed. Assuring me that no matter what, we would make it happen.
Turns out he was right.
And as with so many fears, I quickly learned that, once you face them, they aren't so scary anymore.
So back to the raising dough part. I first decided to make personal calls to a small list of people that I thought might have some cash available for a personal loan. I had butterflies in my stomach for each and every one of those calls, but the response was nothing but positive. Even people who couldn't contribute financially had kind words of support, and offers of advice and help.
In addition, I composed a letter which I sent out to my entire email contacts list, and posted on Facebook.
Guess what happens next? Turns out, when you tell people you have a dream, and then ask them for help, they do just that. So much love and generosity and excitement came pouring my way over the next few days, I was absolutely bowled over. I found myself crying some more, but they were tears of amazement and happiness. All this? For me? Well, to be honest, I really still can't believe it.
My parents are coming for a visit this weekend, and I'm going to show them around the store. I know they are so proud of me, and it's a great feeling.
Love to you all. Amy