In July my husband and I found out the life we were working toward was based upon lies and deceit ...we had sacrificed two years of our marriage, family and finances only to learn an "Upstanding Businessman" was not what he appeared to be. At that point we knew our 'baby'...the company we had been pouring everything into (sometimes even slighting our family and definitely our friends) was nothing more then a 'business built on shifting sand. We had two choices... (1) Stay and compromise everything we believed in which is: HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE BACKED BY A GREAT PRODUCT ...to 'get a paycheck'...maybe. or (2) Simply walk away and begin again.
We chose option number 2! (As if there was a question or doubt) One of the "Hudson family motto's is, "At the end of the day all you have is your word and your reflection to answer to...
So began a new journey.
I won't say it was easy. It wasn't. It has bee-- I believe--one of the hardest things I have ever done. With all my mind and spirit I wish I could say I greeted the days with an enthusiastic spirit and smiling face....I tried and pretended most day. ....in reality inside I was like a 4 yr old child having a fit! I was angry that all our dreams, OUR company, OUR hard work had been ripped away from us by a 'snake' and that and we were too trusting to see the reality of his past deeds.
However, I can see now that the whole time we were being protected...what was taken needed to be removed so that we would be protected for his "alleged illegal business deals" (no one has been charged in a court of law)....and yes, it does give me some satisfaction to know that the business is slowly dying a painful death.
ON to our new JOURNEY! It has taught me to be thankful for each new day and the 'little things' in life. I have learned how to use a wrench, barter for lower prices, that there are differences in bolt sizes and nuts come in all shapes, sizes and some even come with plastic inside so they can 'lock' in place. I have become thankful that I'm able to learn new things...and I get VERY excited about soap and showers! (A 'shop' or 'manufacturing facility' has it's own 'smell')... I began to count my blessings instead of my problems and quit grumbling that I shouldn't have to do this kind of work...reality is, if not for my husband I wouldn't be able to participate in any kind of work at and and would have to spend my days in bed or a nursing home so I could be 'watched'.... At least I was offered the opportunity to begin a way to someday support my family.
NO ONE can ever tell me I don't understand our product. The only thing I didn't do was weld! (As matter of fact-I had to hide because the 'flashes' on the walls made me seize). I can tell someone in great detail exactly how our units are made, the number of bolts it takes, the cost of the aluminum, size of the motor, how many amps are drawn on start up and every single thing about the cost associated with the machine...I even wired the new technology used in our units, motor and all!!!
If we listened to the 'naysayers' we wouldn't be where we are...yes, we have a few things left before we put them on the market and it will be awhile before we are able to begin to make a profit...but we are in control of our destiny!
Best of all....our kids and some wonderful friends jumped in and helped us complete the "Prototype" units for our big show.... Optimus Equipment, LLC is in business and will become a legacy our children can continue in the years to come...if they choose to!
No comments:
Post a Comment