In July 2020, we moved my 15+ year old "non-essential" pottery business out of a gorgeous light-filled, brick & beamed historic mill - and into my home's finished basement. Grateful to have survived the shutdown's arbitrary rules, we spent the last year trying to figure out how to survive in this pending reset world. Business as usual was gone, along with half of our income in the form of shuttered gift shops and cancelled weddings.
In lean times, small businesses survive by getting really lean, really quick. I stopped taking a paycheck and we went into survival mode. A combination of government loans and grants kept us alive while we waited for buyers to realize that the world was not yet ending.
As we regrouped, we returned to the plan put in place just 2 months before lockdown. Friend & long time employee, Nicole, would take ownership of Museware's pottery line. Free from the weight of my salary, she could take MP to new places. I'd be free to pursue the creative work our retail stores were not quite ready for.
On May 4th, 2021 we signed papers and I handed the keys to Nicole. In 2 weeks, Nicole moves her pottery production studio out of my basement and into her own location, complete with a Main Street storefront. She's terrified in a most delightful way. I'm thrilled for her - and a bit terrified for myself.
May 4th was my angel son Neal's 28th birthday, and my niece Taylor's 1st sobriety anniversary. We now have 3 reasons to celebrate this auspicious day. May the 4th be with you.