Retailer of the Year for the Upper Peninsula 2010

Alright, I'll admit it...taking compliments or kudos is NOT my strong point. I tend to be very critical of myself, my kids and my business. When others tell me I'm doing a great job, I wonder what can I do, to be spectacular next time? I tend to look at my kids success as their success, not because I've done a great job parenting. Take Josephine, she's our 18 year old. She's in her second year at Busch gardens, just purchased her very first car, got her very own insurance, apartment hunting, enrolling in a local college and for 18...diving right into adulthood. Not really much parenting involved except the basic morals and values, the rest is up to her. Logan, hands down, is the number two guy behind the owners of the store. At 16, every customer he deals with calls us and tells us what a great job he did in our absence. He just gets the idea of customer's are our best friends and without them we'd be lonely (and poor:). Again, sure as parent's we certainly rubbed off on him...but who he is is 100% his! Ben...15....LOL! His soccer skills certainly didn't come from me (or his dad, no matter what dada thinks) and that 4.13 GPA...never knew that number existed. Both parents were eager to move on with life and school was simply a road block. So, while we've encouraged Ben to be his best...again, it's him. Now, we have two little ones who haven't started their journey in life...so that story will be continued later! Either way, my teenagers are all individuals. Josephine couldn't run the store, Logan couldn't play soccer and Ben certainly isn't ready to dive into adulthood. They each took what they wanted from what we offered and really as parents...kudos aren't necessary.



So, sorry--got off the beaten path, last Friday night at one of the best local events I've ever attended I was awarded Retailer of the Year for the Upper Peninsula. Yes, thank you, thank you. I was certainly excited to see I was grouped with Williamsburg and Yorktown. LOL, when they started to name the divisions I got nervous they would put poor ol' Gloucester all by itself and then I'd automatically be winner by default:( So, I'll admit, it felt great to be awarded such a wonderful recognition but it was even greater to be amongst such fine retailers in two great counties. However, I immediately started to think....ok, I was one of nine out of 153. What do I have to do to be the BIG ONE? So, today...I've stormed my brain, set up some appointments and I've started my newest project....to be the best of the best in 2010! Not just sell the best stuff..anyone can do that..I want to be the best. It'll be hard but Big Bob Herself loves a challenge!