September 1, 2006

Today is the day that Sandra Flower and I officially hand over Pick of the Patch to our dear friend Sandra Wharton. We both accepted a buy out from Sandra and today is the day Sandra becomes the sole owner of POTP. Today is a day of mixed emotions and reflection for me. I can't believe how young Sandra and I look in this picture. I will only speak for myself but I feel like I have matured through this process of growing Pick of the Patch from a crazy idea to what it is today. I feel like I've toughened up and learned to trust my ideas and instincts better. Perhaps that would have come with age over the past two years anyways but I choose to believe that POTP has strengthened my belief in myself and helped lead me to the place I am today.

There are a few things that I will NEVER do again...

I will never say to a business owner, "Oh, you're so lucky to have your own business". I will say, "You must be an incredibly strong person and a great time manager - how do you do it?"

I will never assume that things just "happen". Behind everything that you see in front of you someone has worked countless hours to make that happen. I try to see that in everything I do now. When I eat out, when I attend an event, when I see a play or a movie or just listen to music I am conscious of how much work someone has put into that very thing I am enjoying at the time. It makes me more appreciative of everything around me.

I will never assume that business owners are lucky enough to "set their own hours". When you are running a successfull business there are never enough hours. You are always working and when you're not working you're either thinking about work or feeling guilty for not working.

I will never underestimage the power of women working together.

I will never again put myself in a position when I feel frustrated with my kids when they want my undivided attention (and that's a tough one for me to admit). Or when they are talking to me and I'm not really listening because my mind is elsewhere or when they ask me why I have to work so much. ..."but mom, it's Saturday".

Thank you POTP for teaching me the life lessons that I needed to learn at this point in my life. Thank you POTP for bringing a group of wonderful ladies into my life that I know will be life long friends. Thank you POTP for making me realize that the grass is NOT always greener on the other side. I have so many fond memories that are making me cry right now but I know POTP isn't going anywhere. Sandra is full of incredible ideas and the store and community will continue to grow and flourish under Sandra's very competent leadership.

To my fellow flowers girls... Be good to Sandra, her job is not an easy one.

To Sandra Flower... Thank you for being my partner through this incredible journey. I am proud of what we accomplished together and that we have remained friends through it all.

To Sandra Wharton... Good luck my friend. I will ALWAYS be here for you.

Tara
xo