Six weeks later, after long hours of painting walls, and tables, installing a hardwood floor, begging my bother in law to put up the track lights, waiting nervously for my chandeliers to arrive from New York, moving fixtures and unpacking merchandise - it seemed as if Miss Groove would never open. I exhausted my family, friends and myself and we were down to the wire. I was at my wits end. It was Friday, May 5th and there was so much more to do to get the doors open for Saturday.
That Friday, we pulled the "under construction" paper out of the window so the stickers with the Miss Groove logo could be installed. Progress. My friends Erin and Joel came by after work to check on me. They rolled up their sleeves to help me with the final push.
Around 9:00 PM, Joel stepped outside and called me to join him. He turned me around to look at Miss Groove. He saw what I needed to see. A store that looked legitimately ready for business. I will never forget that day - seeing my dream realized.
The next day, we quietly opened our door and the neighborhood was buzzing. What a thrill to sell things that you like to others who actually agree with your taste! I did not have any employees, so once again, Erin and Joel stopped by to play store with me. We actually took in $1500 the first day of business. Very encouraging. And believe me, when you own a retail business, you need that encouragement to survive the days that aren't so successful.
Ten years later, I owe a debt of gratitude to the MANY people who have kept me in business. To my parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, friends and faithful customers who have become friends, I say thank you. Then there are the Groovettes. No business can run successfully with out good employees. But the Groovettes are more than employees - they have become their own little family as well.
I don't know where the next ten years will bring, but I can say that the last ten were incredible.
