Well if you follow me on Facebook, then you have seen that life around here has been a little scary & crazy!! Right now I feel like God must be trying to prepare me for some great use, but man I would be okay with a simple life!! I do journal, so maybe if it was all put together it would become one crazy book on living life with BIG faith!!
On the serious side of things the day/night before my whole life got rearranged, some BIG BAD things happened with the paint stuff!! As many of you know, I have retailed for Maison Blanche and have always loved it. Over the past couple of years, I have found it tremendously hard to be a business woman coupled with the fact that I bring my faith into my business world. I don’t use that I am a Christ follower to gain business, to judge or push others away whom don’t believe what I do. But it is the center compass of all decisions I make and how I choose to run my business. Where am I going with all of this?
Depending on how long you have followed me, you watched me trust someone I thought I could do business with and get lied to. It was a “Christian” lady wanting to come along side… but instead came along side, stole my name, used it to tell people she was taking over my business and run me down… Little did she know that people actually knew me– and for sure knew my husband and her’s looked nothing like mine. I am thankful for those watchful ears and eyes. Legal action was a threat that stopped the delusional work of someone I thought I could trust but was different than appeared. That experience was one I was too naive to see coming and led me to Lesson #2.
My family will always come first!! Although this therapy had become a full time business, I also am a full time mom of 4 children who need me most!! And balance is something all working mothers strive for and sometimes miss big time. This mom missed it big time. Trying to open a studio or shop isn’t feasible for girl who works early mornings and late nights. Many of you don’t know my schedule or how and when the painting gets done… you see the beauty in the work and I am thankful for that!! But my days are full of activities and therapies and doctors appointments and everything else that 4 kiddos require!! I LOVE it All!! This mama who has used the paint brush to be “taking care of me” time… therapy for my soul… and then turned business faster than I was ready for has made a lot of choices based on prayer and what I thought would be great for our family. My hobby turned into making money- which was great. It was providing the provision our family needed through insurance changes and needing to pay for lots of princess therapies and 2 sets of braces!! Yay, mom!!
But when I decided to rep a paint brand, it was more about what was behind the paint than the actual paint. Although, I love the paint. But the night of my last paint class the owner let me know that some girls who had furniture in our shop were moving out because they were about to sell the paint. What?? oh and 18.9 miles from the location I sell it…. and yes that was in my territory. Here’s lesson #3- NO MATTER what someone says in words {even email}, NO MATTER the friendships formed, NO MATTER the trust you think you have- it better be explicitly written in contract form. You see cities listed in my original contract were to have a line drawn around them to create my radius if you will. Well McKinney to Sherman is our example here…. Van Alstyne is the tiny little city in between. But because I should know she wouldn’t do it on purpose to hurt me I should be okay with the fact that she was NOT going to make it right. I won’t air any other dirty laundry, for that isn’t’ my purpose in this post. But I did lose complete respect that day for how this was handled and how I was treated. And I think to forgive is important, but I think in business that’s a matter of your heart. I can’t just say okay, and continue to sell something I no longer believe in what’s behind the product. It’s what is right for me… and it took lots of tears and frustration to get to the point where I can tell you this today. Mostly, so you know to always watch out for YOU- because likely You are the only one who will.
If we don’t take accountability for our actions and do what’s right NO MATTER the cost on either end- it WILL happen again. Revising my contract to fit their mistake “in not knowing where that little town was”, isn’t an option for me!! And the crazy world of CHALK based PAINT has become so ruthless and vicious. Starting a company based on values that are opposite of another’s way of doing things, looks good in the beginning. Until you are taken by the greed that consumes you and making choices that are the very thing you used to stand against!! I teach my kids to always stand up for what’s right even when no one else is!! Just because it isn’t happening to you doesn’t mean that one day it won’t happen… And for me that one day, Happened!!
So, all paint that is left in-stock on the shelves at Kiss and Make-Up will be marked down today until it’s gone!! Same with my website. I am filling in the inventories and marking down throughout today!!
I want to believe in what I use and sell!! Being an artist rather than just a rep… I use everything still and I do have to say there is something freeing in being able to openly!! I never stopped offering my clients color palettes that were other lines, and I never will. For you though, this allows my website to have a ton more variety and information on how to use lots of products!! Not just what I sell. {insert a huge smiley face} God has a way of bringing you back to what you love!!! I’m thankful for His plans over mine every time…. even though it’s tough and hard to go through… He sees me through!!
And until I know my daughter is strong enough for me to share her story, just know we cannot thank you enough for the prayers you have said over us!! We are walking a new journey every day, but we when you have His strength All Things Seem Possible!!
My favorite verse has always been Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for your life. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you”
God is the guiding light in your faith, family, and business. He will not let you down. How blessed we are to know this, even when the plans WE had for ourselves are quickly swept out from under us. God’s plans for you are much greater. How glorious!!
Thank you for shining another light on this verse for me. Confirmation is all around. I trust that The Lord will not only bring you and your family through this, but that He will pour His abundant Grace upon you all and guide you to the next part of His plan for you. Take each forward (or backward if it is called for) with the knowledge of His promise to and love for you. 🙂
I love you! I love your strength. You are a woman of honest, truth and love. I’m sorry that your desire to trust got you hurt. I hope that expressing yourself through your blog has and will continue to be a therapy of sorts. Continue to LEAN on Him and let him guide your life. Make no apologies for putting Him center in your life. Know that you have people around you for additional support should you need it. I’m just a text or phone call away. Like I’ve said before, while miles may separate our homes and I cannot just pop over for a diet coke and red vines, I’m ALWAYS here if you need a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen. Will continue to pray for your entire family.
I will be looking forward to hearing all the wonderful things that God is going to bring your way. I’m so very glad you trusted your “instincts” on this.
Big hugs friend! So glad you are allowing God to lead you and I just know He will bless you for it!
So very sorry that you’ve had to deal with this kind of drama. But I know that you are doing the right thing for you and your family.
I just ordered some of your inventory to help you clear it out quickly. Thank you for the sale; I really appreciate it.
I miss you and hope that I can see you soon again in person. Hugs to you and your daughter.
WOW girl you have been on a journey all right. Things all happen for a reason so they say. Sorry you had to learn the hard way, we all do, and it stinks sometimes. But you are so right, you always have to look out for you. XO
Lori, I admire your heart, your strength, your integrity, and your remaining unwavering in your faith. My prayers are with you, as you face changes ahead for where God is leading you. He always has something better that will fulfill His plan for your life.
I am so proud of you. You are so special and lead by example. The journey GOD has planned for you will only be better for your family. You are an artist and your gift will only continue to grow. Mom
Lori, Well, you learned a very valuable business lesson…not all people you do business with are as honest and up-standing as you are! I know another retailer for that company here in California, that stopped doing business with them for dis-honest business practices, too. My daughter, Julie (The Vintage Barn Home.com) works the same early/late hours you do with two small little girls. So, I understand how hard it is for you to balance all of it! You sit tight God loves you more than you know and He is always watching out for you!
Your in my thoughts and prayers, June.
I’m so sorry this happen to you. A contract is a contract and you have a hard time staying in business if you don’t honor it. Mistakes happen…when they do, you own it and make it right. I can only imagine the prayers, tears, and heartache that went into writing this post. I agree with you- G-d does love you and I for one canNOT wait to see what he is preparing you for! Virtual ((Hugs)) to you!
*happened… (Grrr…typos)