Visions

I had a vision of this place before it even opened. Like many daydreams, I had spent loads of time wishing and hoping and wondering if it would ever happen. I even drew the store, and what I thought it would look like, and made list after list of the cool creative goodies I could make, in case it ever happened. And, I wrote a creed, a few pages outlining the WAY I wanted to do business, the priciples I would stick to, the beliefs I wouldn't sacrifice for money. Kinda like Jerry Maguire and that infamous memo...and look where THAT got him!

Recently, in an email full of unsolicited advice from an anonymous individual, my principles were questioned. Well, not questioned really, more like attacked. "Are you running a business or a family?" was one of the questions. And although the harsh words did sting, that email only made me more sure of who I am, how I operate, and what's important in life. I thank each one of you who reached out...your comments made me realize you think I'm on the right track.

One comment really stood out for me, though, and I'd like to share it with you now. These words come from a good, honest friend, who would tell me the truth no matter what, even if it wasn't just what I wanted to hear, making them even more powerful and more special to me. AND, these words express EXACTLY the way I want to run my business, my vision.

"Here's my opinion (you asked for it, you got it), and let me go ahead and apologize in advance to my friends from north of the Mason-Dixon line...Paul from Graham sounds like a cold-hearted yankee who has NO idea of what a "mom-n-pop" operation is all about. If I came to your store to get my chocolate fix and there was a sign on your door that read, "Having lunch with my grandma, be back later," or "My kids are sick...closed," or "Watching my son get his baseball trophy" ...I would smile and get a warm feeling all over. This is the kind of mentality that America needs more of...you bring back that small-town feel to an ever-expanding Greensboro. We don't want a super-mega corporate chocolate factory..we want YOU and we want to know about your kids AND your grandma. Chocolate Pops is more than just a chocolate shop...it's a story. It's a place to stop and say "Hello" and share a laugh. You are doing a great job with all those hats you wear...but especially being a supermom. That's the most important hat you wear and you obviously have your priorities in line. So back to Paul from Graham...I bet he didn't even send his mother a Mother's Day card. Let him get his chocolate elsewhere...I would prefer not to hear his opinion if he were to visit your store. You need to keep doing what you're doing...because you do it so well."

To this friend, you know who you are, thank you. This is my vision of this little shop. Some may not like it, some may think I should only think of the bottom line, some may think they could do it better. Perhaps they could. But this is my store, this is my story, and no one can do it like me.