Journey of RiOak- Part 2

So we had a name, RiOak Western Design.  We honestly had no idea what our goals were or what we were doing...BUT we knew we had a work ethic, the willingness to learn and an eye for decorating and colors.  We started going to craft shows and meeting people.  My mom went with me (craft shows just aren't Clint's thing) it was so much fun decorating my booth and seeing people actually come in and buy what I was making, my pride and heart swelled with excitement.  


During Thanksgiving of 2012 my husband's cousin said, "Ashley we should start a business page for you."  I said, "Sure that would be great."  It was at this moment looking back our business was about to take on a whole new level that we never would have thought was possible.  I posted a few signs I had left over from the craft shows as well as some wreaths and odd and ends....they sold....hmmmm "This could be neat."  It was in March someone messaged me to do a wedding sign...."You want me to custom paint a sign for you?"  I was so nervous....Remember I never saw myself as artistic.  I couldn't believe someone actually had contacted me to hand paint a sign....It was March 18th of 2013 my life changed as I knew it, I painted it, posted it and two more orders came in.  Then I did my brother and sister in law's wedding in April.  A few more orders came, then I had 10 orders on the books.  I was so nervous when I started.  All the thoughts run through your head, "Am I good enough?"  "What happens if they don't like it?"   

                                                   (First Custom Order every completed)
Well the answer....have I improved---YES, Have I learned----YES, do I know how to fully run my business with no problems and know how to do everything....NO--BUT we are on a great, great, great journey.

We started being 2 weeks out, then three....then we decided if we were going to continue to grow our business we had to move... our house had no storage and we just couldn't breathe with all of my signs EVERYWHERE, so September 2013 we moved to our new home,  it has so much potential to house RiOak.  We are very excited about redoing the sign shop, it is 3,000 square feet...ahhhhh (it is in pretty rough shape but definite  potential---With a large office space,,,,maybe this will be my store front one day!

Our family has been a huge help in our Business, at least once a month my in laws take the girls for a day or two.  My parents have helped with the craft shows, paint, come over and cook for us while we work and or take the girls for a few hours.  This business has many factors that play into this to make it successful.

So in a nut shell this is RiOak and we are still on our journey---We LOVE our family, we LOVE our time together and We LOVE running this business.  It is exciting to have a blog to document our journey as we proceed.

Future BLOGS:  Craft Show List and Tips, Patience, Who is the Woman behind RiOak,
Counselor Ashley, Grudges and Anger, Politics....should I? (that might not be a good one)

Which one should I do next??  Comment and let me know!