Viva la Mexico!

Lest you think I've abandoned my post here in the Pacific Northwest for the warm beaches of Mexico I figured I should update the blog and let you know that I did infact return. And the people of the Pacific Northwest should thank me because it appears as though I brought the sun back with me - at least through the weekend!

First and foremost, the Canadian order FINALLY got ok'd to come through by customs and I got the order on my last day in Mexico. They need it by the end of the month and it's basically done, except for the price tags they're sending me to put on, and then it will go out the door. Unfortunately the final order was reduced by about 50% given how much time it took to get everything organzied but I hope this means there will be no problems - and bigger orders - later on this year.

While I was away I did get an email from a friend and fellow entrepreneur in my workspace who has decided to "take a hiatus for 6 months." I don't know if this is a temporary or will turn into a permanent hiatus - especially since historically the summer has been her busiest time.

It's sad as she's not the only one I know closing up shop. Another entrepreneur in my space, the only other person who has been there as long as I have, is also shutting up this month. That really only leaves two of us who are "full-timers" and then there will be an influx of the summer market folks who join us for the next few months. The new energy of the exciting summer market people will be good and probably lift my spirits, but I'm really really sad to see the other long-timers go. It's sad to see other entreprenuers decide that it's just too much work and not enough return. Not enough of a paycheck, too much time away from family, too much worry and stress, to be worthwhile.

To make matters worse, it's something I contemplate from time to time. In just a few days I will have had this business for four years and while I've made strides every year and learned a ton, I'm still not in the position I niavely thought I would be when I started out. Sometimes I worry if I'm making a mistake. On the flip side, the good news about the economy being so sucky right now is that it's not like I could shut down the business and go easily get work elsewhere so I might as well keep plugging ahead and keep trying to make this work. And it will work, I do truly believe that, but if it could start working sooner rather then later I would greatly appreciate it.