Run YOUR Business, Don't let YOUR business run you!

We have made a decision as a couple for our business.  We have decided to close shop for the months of April and May.  We will not be doing any custom work during these two months.  We have a very busy March and beginning of April ahead of us with custom work.  We know this is peak season for Mother's Day and Weddings so have no fear we will have already made products for you to be able to get for your loved ones.....and of course if you need a special sign for a wedding please contact us. But we are going to get caught up on all of orders through March and work on some projects that we just haven't had time to do.  This will also allow us to get completely caught up and decrease waiting time once you order a sign,,,,right now it is at 7 weeks and this is not acceptable to us.  I was reading quotes the other day and I found one that said, "Run your Business, Don't let your business run you."  This really made me think and for several months now our business has been running us!  It's time to make a change....

Let me explain why.....
Clint and I continue to work full time, I work 40 hours a week and Clint puts in a minimum of 45 and usually closer to 50-60 hours a week.  So yes with the two little girls we are BUSY as it is.  BUT then we have our home based business.  Let me tell you how my day goes!

5:30 Alarm goes off....ahhh are you kidding me? Hit snooze, 1 to 3 times!
5:45 At least up by now, check my facebook business page to ensure no orders have come in over night.
6:00 Shower and COFFEE!
6:15 Have told Clint at least two times to get up.
6:30 I am usually dressed and ready for the day now time for the kiddos.
7:00 We are out of the door ready for our day, take the girls to daycare and preschool (I won't go into detail about preschool but let's just say I work some 9 hour days to make up for the time I have to go and pick her up)
8:00-4:30 Work
5:00 Have picked up the girls and are usually headed home (unless it is one of my longer days)
5:30 Check Facebook to talk with customers about any orders
6:00 Supper is being cooked, a load of laundry is on and two little girls are running around like two little mad women! Fun time for mommy and girls for a little while!
6:30 Clint is usually home by now and we all eat together....ANOTHER POT OF COFFEE IS MAKING WHILE WE ARE EATING!
7:00-7:30 Bath time (Clint's job) Cleaning Kitchen (my job)
8:00 I start in on Painting or whatever needs to be done for the business.
8:30 BREAK---bed time story
8:45 Back to the business
10:00 At least paint or work until 10:30, sometimes this goes on until 11-12:30 at night.

THIS IS MY DAY, every day.  I work a minimum of 10 hours a day on the weekends, cutting sanding, prepping boards and completing signs, marketing, packaging, planning, designing, making up stencils, deliveries  etc.  It is a time consuming business! AND WE LOVE IT.  We average 30-40 custom signs a month just from evenings and weekends!!!!

So as you can see we are BUSY!!    In the last year and a half we have only taken three weeks off from our business (two weeks while we were moving and then a week after our rush of Christmas orders).  I am not telling you this to make excuses, have you feel sorry for us...BECAUSE this is our choice and we honestly love what we do.  Anyone who knows me and my husband would tell you we don't do anything we don't want to do.  We dream of having a full time business one day and expanding but for now we are happy with how we are growing and excited about what the future holds.

We have several projects we will be working on these two months.   We have several "To Do's" on our list for the business and our home.  We will be working on some tutorials, furniture, new blog design, logo, advertising, better tax system, landscaping, our sign shop HAS TO BE ORGANIZED and the list goes on.  AND we will have new product posted that will be available to buy as well as a craft show or two we have been invited to this spring and summer! Thank you for being on our journey! 

Another Day in the Life of RiOak