Join us as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary. Enjoy 20 % off store wide through this Saturday June 13th. Mention the blog and we will take an additional 5 % off.
Raffia: Lesson 4 The Most Important Lesson
If you have been around us much you'll know the one thing that we never expected when we opened the store was the people that would come into our lives because of it. We opened shortly after Mom had passed away. It has always been a bit strange how when we have needed things to work out they have. Each decision to expand or change has really been fairly easy for us. Not that any of it has been without struggle....but we also know Mom would have wanted it that way a bit as well. We think it is the only real way you come to appreciate what you have.
The Raffia Girls have been with us pretty much since day one. We started with Lanette, then Jackie and then Donna.
We have also been very lucky to have numerous friends and family that are willing to step in whenever we need. There is also our Saturday girls, Marcia, Jen, Toad, Sally, Sam, and the Sisters next door always willing to step in whenever needed. These girls all work other jobs but are always willing to step in and help..
We always have people ask how tied down to the store we are. They worry for us about how hard it is to find help. We have been blessed to never have this worry. Oh sure, we have an occasional day that is hard to get filled, but for the most part we never have a problem. There is no doubt that these girls treat it as if the store is their own. And in many ways it is.
We bought Julie out several years ago. She has gone on to make beautiful jewelry. We still keep in touch, and every time we go to market I have the memories of Julie keeping us up all night busy telling us funny stories of Billings slander.
Lanette retired a couple years back. And Donna is entering into semi retirement. Jackie is of course going strong as always. The funny thing is once you are a Raffia girl there is no going back. We have been through the deaths of Husbands, Mothers,fellow coworkers and friends. There has been sickness, worries, all those things that make this the weird thing we call life. But there has also been weddings, babies, high school graduations, college graduations, and grand children. These women know us better than about anyone. The have "Mothered" us along all through this journey called Raffia. And we know that they would all be there any time we need them.
And then there is you! Our customers that have become much more than a customer. You have become our friends. And together with you we have also shared sadness and sorrow, and very very much love and laughter. You too have made Raffia what it is. Without you there would not only be the brick and mortar but a hole from the friendships that we have shared.
Lynda and I are off to home this weekend. Our cousin Sarah is getting married and we get to do the flowers (NO PRESSURE). I did a little trading with Lovely. She got to go to lunch (what a great boss I am) in trade that she will be our guest blogger. So be kind, leave her lots of comments, but don't enjoy her too much.
The YCW issue arrived the other day. There is a section included that honors our Dads. As I was reading, our friend Julia Warmer over at Wild Purls ,our favorite knitting store, had written a wonderful tribute about the advice her Dad had shared as she opened her store. I have to end with their quote. It sums up so many feelings as we travel through this crazy world called retail.
Her dad, Bill Leslie said," Every day you put the key in the door of your business, you are taking a risk. But you have to remember that you've got a key. Think of all those people who never took the leap to acquire key, a business plan, a bank loan or any piece of owning their own business. Now that is a risk I never have to wake up to face." She continues on that this has also become her lesson in life. WOW thanks Bill and Julie...perfectly timed reminder.
Our deepest thanks and love to you all for making 15 years of wonderful memories.
love this post...so sweet and inspiring.
Posted by: Anne Anderson | June 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Oh girls, I so loved reading (and seeing) all of this. I just loved it. I literally live for the day that I'm on my own and running my own business, and nothing helps keep my dream alive more than reading and seeing how people I adore and admire have managed to do it themselves.
I feel so blessed that all of you have come into my life when you did. I had doubts about moving to this place - serious doubts. But I some how I knew, I knew the minute I walked into Sisters for the first time that this place was special and it was seriously that store and you girls that made me hate this place (which I now love) a little less. So I not only have to thank you for that but for the oodles and oodles of love and support that you guys have shown me from day one not just for my photography bug but for me as a whole. The more I think about it the more wonderful things I come up with in my life are tied to you girls and that store - I found Shannon through Lynda (thank goodness!) and my first paying photography client here in Billings was from your first scrap camp.
I'm busy designing my booth for marketplace which I'm giddy with excitement about and every detail I put in I think of you and again, have you to thank. You're all an inspiration to me and proof that you can run a business with love and friendship as the base and have success follow. How incredible that while the stores are simply that - brick and mortar buildings filled with "stuff" people buy they are SO much more than that. What an incredible story and legacy you have - I feel so very lucky to even know you all let alone have the pleasure of calling you my friends...
: ) j
Posted by: jaymee foster | June 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM