Thursday, May 10, 2012

Stepping Stones and Faith

Sometimes I can scarcely wrap my mind around the growth that our business has been blessed with over the course of 7 years. 
When I took on a single booth at First Monday Trade Days in 2005, it was just for fun.  I had no idea where the path would lead. 
The business has grown from the very first day and year after year we have blown away the sales on record for the year before.  
From one booth in 2005, we grew into 5 booths by 2008.  Mind you, we never relocated from our original booth location and we never asked for extra space.
But every time an opportunity would present itself
we would take the step.
The same held true when the little yellow building, that would be our first permanent storefront, came up for rent in 2008. 
We weren’t looking, but the opportunity presented itself and we took the step. 
We kept our permanent storefront there in that little 1600 square foot yellow building until 2010 when the shopping center next door was half empty and had tons of space for us to grow.  
And like before, we weren’t looking, but the opportunity presented itself and we took the step. 
We’ve flourished and bloomed right here for almost 2 years when our landlord called to say that our neighbors, Old World, had decided to move downtown and their two spaces were available if we wanted them. 
Once again, we weren’t looking, but the opportunity presented itself and we took the step.
We were still trying to wrap our mind around the new lease for an additional 2600 square feet when Fred Hunt of Willows, our neighbor to the other side, called to tell us that they were moving back to a booth on the First Monday grounds and that their space would be available in July if we wanted it. 
And yet again, we weren’t looking, but the opportunity presented itself and we took the step.
The enormity of the upcoming expansion is by far our largest leap and was a bit unnerving at first.  I suppose that comes with the territory when projects of this size are not planned.  But as I reflect on all the previous unplanned crossroads of growth, and consider that this, just like the others, fell right into our lap.....
I am completely at peace about it.
I’d love to say that all of our growth has been the result of some brilliant business plan and that I knew exactly what I was doing from the beginning, but that wouldn’t be anywhere close to the truth. 
You see, we've never had a master plan for the business, and we’ve never sought out opportunities for growth. 
The fact is.....
we’ve never had to. 
God has always laid the stones exactly when we needed them,
and never before we were ready.
It has always been in His perfect timing.  
Never too late.....
and never too soon. 
The opportunities always presented exactly when it was time to grow, even if we didn't recognize it until then.
Our job is merely to pay attention to the stones,
and have Faith to take the steps. 

Isn't that the sweetest and simplest thing?

37 comments:

Mz V said...

Dear friend,
How wonderful that you honor God's gift of creativity and talent by following the steps He lays out for you. You truly are blessed with so much! Sending you prayers for continued success.....

Mz V said...

Dear friend,
How wonderful that you honor God's gift of creativity and talent by following the steps He lays out for you. You truly are blessed with so much! Sending you prayers for continued success.....

Marsha said...

What a lovely post. God IS Good!

Celena said...

I visited your shoppe for the first time on Sunday. My heart was overflowing with pure joy for you and the wonderful staff involved in your growth. It was much needed therapy for a bruised soul.

All I can say about your blessings is - Amen. God is Good!

May the good Lord continue to bless you and all involved at LaurieAnna's.

martinealison said...

Je suis très heureuse d'apprendre l'évolution de votre parcours qui est une excellente traversée professionnelle. Je vous félicite et vous souhaite longue vie.
Gros bisous

Debra@CommonGround said...

I just love hearing this LaurieAnna! How wonderful that you're giving God all the credit. Wish I lived close by, I'd love to come shop! Blessings on all that you have going on! xo

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi LaurieAnna: That is so wonderful that you are successful. I can tell by looking at your pictures of the store that you have a beautiful selection and it is displayed to perfection. Congratulations on your expansion. I received the dish rack I ordered from your shop today. It is lovely and I can't wait to put it in it's special place. It will be featured in my post when the redo is complete. Keep up the good work..Happy Mother's Day..Judy

Sueann said...

Yes that is sweet and such a blessing. Thanks for sharing!!
Hugs
SueAnn

helle said...

Yes, it surely is the simplest thing. All you have to do is learn to trust and pay attention.

Good luck!

Helle;--

Homeroad said...

Congratulations LaurieAnna! And thank you for your story today... growth and timing is just what I needed to hear today!
Susan
Homeroad

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

LaurieAnna I love this post because I love that God is in control of your business ~ He is so awesome and you are blessed sweet friend!

Amy Chalmers said...

Oh yes, that is the best plan Laurie Anna! I love your success story, you have been blessed!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Beautiful Tribute! It's nice to hear the story of your growth and even nicer to hear you recognize where the success has come from. I love your comment at the end about recognizing the stones. So true! Congrats to you and your growth!

Unknown said...

How sweet it has been to watch God pour out His blessings on you and your business. Thanks for always inspiring me :)

Piper said...

What a testimony of FAITH & TRUST!! May God continue to bless your business and your talent!

susan said...

God is so good,He is the very breath I take, lovely post laurie anna

Sam I Am...... said...

That's quite a testament considering the state of the economy. That's why you can never let people tell you "you can't" do something or pay attention to what's "practical" at times or the nay-sayers. It's wonderful to hear of your success as it's a beacon to others to "stay the course"! When one person succeeds we all succeed! Congratulations!
I just started following your blog and now I have to go visit your shop!
Thank you for being an inspiration!

Life In My Nest said...

When things are supposed to happen, they fall into place . . . and you know why. It's a God thing! Congratulations to you and your wonderful hubby for seeing the plan and taking the leap of faith.

Linda/patchwork said...

It's fun to watch your success with your dream job.
My niece and I had a store in Canton, long ago. Things didn't work out as well for us. I'm thinking we didn't pay close enough attention to those stones.
Good luck with the expansion.

Amy Kinser said...

What a testimony! I think of the scripture that says, "when we commit our plans to Him, they will succeed". Even the things you haven't planned have succeeded because you placed it all in His hands. He knows the desires of our hearts even if we don't say them out loud. He has found favor upon you. Continue to give Him the glory, my sweet friend. My love from Tennessee to Texas to you!!!

A Thrifted Market said...

We truly serve an awesome God! I could not be more happy for you. The Lord knows the desires of our heart and he has truly blessed you. To God alone be the glory my friend! So happy for you and I can't wait to come see the new space soon!

Vintage Living Magazine said...

That's wonderful! An inspiring post. Continued success to you.

Susan Freeman said...

It is the sweetest and simplest thing. Unfortunately there are some who want to make it all so complicated when the Truth is simple. Our Lord has the best plans for us. We need only follow.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

SImple and Serene Living said...

God has certainly blessed you. We just have to turn it over to Him and let our life flow.
Hugs,
Laura

The Green Pea said...

LaurieAnna,
Your love for the Lord is a blessing to you and your family. I love to visit your wonderful shop. Congratulations on your new space and hope to see it soon. Hugs, sandi

Dusty McRae said...

Many Blessings on your journey walking thru Gods grace!!! From the out side looking in I can tell that he has his hand protecting and providing for you and your business. God is so good!!!!

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

LaurieAnna,
You and I share the same business plan! I have always felt that way about my shop since I moved to North Carolina 7 years ago. I have always felt truly blessed that I was open to seeing the stepping stones that were creating my path.
You are such a lovely person and I enjoy all the blessings you share.
Warmly,
Beth

Stephanie said...

Wonderful post LA!

busana muslim trendy said...

Thank you for posting this. It’s exactly what I was looking for!

Jo Ann said...

Hi and congrats!! That is an amazing, beautiful story! We opened a booth at an antique mall in our area about 6 weeks ago...it was so exciting, but I'm starting to panic! We've only sold 1 painted, distressed chair and a mail sorter. Yikes!! I have faith that God knows whats best for us! Yours is a beautiful story! God bless!

Anonymous said...

GREAT POST:) I really like your blog and I asked you a while ago if you have twitter or FB so I can follow??

I have wedding theme this week at Inredningsvis...check it out:)
have a great week.

LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(sweden)

SNOWWHITE-SUSSIE said...

Soo Lovely Blogg.. I come back Hugs Sussie

Debbie O said...

Wishing you even more success! Wish I lived close so I could shop with you. Debbie O.

Anonymous said...

I just love the attitude of gratitude you share. Wow. God bless you.

❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ said...

If you had known, in the beginning, where God would be taking you today I'm sure that you would have totally freaked out and said that it couldn't happen, it was too much and how in the world would you do it! But God's timing is always amazing, isn't it? He gives us what we need when we need it. How thankful I am that it is He who prepares the way before us.

Anne Lorys said...

I love how you have based your entire business philosophy on trust in God.

One day soon, I WILL be making the tip up to see your beautiful, glorious shop!

XO,
Anne

Vintage Street Designs said...

Isn't it wonderful to see God at work and be able to give Him all the glory. ♥ your blog and would love to have you stop by mine when you have time. Blessings ~ Judy