Probably...But sometimes CRAZY is a good thing, right?

Just over a month ago, my mother and I were walking in the mall, and I was talking about what's next for me. Like, I felt it was time I needed to be doing more. I've been a full time stay at home mama/part time Realtor for a few years now and I was getting kind of bored. Liberty Grace and I had our L*Squared Designs store up and running and I kind of thought it was time for us to grow and maybe expand into more of a boutique type shop that offered more than just products you buy. I wanted to start having classes and selling fashion. Literally, bringing Fashion and Fun together!

So, Mama Donna and I are in the mall, and we come across a store going out of business.  I run in there to grab a goodie for a bestie and low and behold start talking to the owner. After just a few minutes I find myself offering her money for her fixtures and displays. She wasn't closing for a couple more months which allowed me to go home and discuss my ideas with my husband who quickly started the whole "is this a good idea thing" and "I need to see a business plan" and "what's the best way to set this shop up" talk. Insert eye roll. Just kiddin'...kind of! Let's just say Robert (hubby), is the "business mind" in our marriage. That's why we do so well together. I usually have the bright, fun, and creative ideas and he is able to reel them in and make the ideas make money!

Robert gave me a list of things to do which included but is not limited to...you guessed it, he wanted a business plan- wanted me to go check out retail shop lease spaces and find out the prices and terms, had me go open a business banking account, set up an LLC, file for a tax ID, and get an EIN number just to name a few...So, I did! And I quickly realized that leasing space out of Gainesville is expensive! However, I had plenty of space in a building that we own in Jonesville but it's just more of an office building than retail space, however it would work for now...BUT THEN, I came across a lease out in High Springs-where I was born and raised. It was a HUGE building and quite honestly, too big for me but for the price it was listed at, it was a no brainer. Yeah, so I called the Realtor, and he had the listing price inputted wrong. Definitely was one of those "too good to be true" things. Now, I am standing in the building with my dreams crushed because by this time I have already planned out the layout of my products, where I would hold classes, and dreaming of how cute the Grand Opening pictures would be~ Yep, that's me! By now, I am all in and have the paint colors picked out and this guy totally just popped my balloon.

After about 5 minutes of sitting in the parking lot having a conversation with Jesus, I decided to walk the town and see what was available. Nothing! Nothing was available, people. There were only a couple store fronts that had FOR RENT signs in the windows and as soon as I would text the number a response of "already rented" would pop up. BUT THEN....Then, I see the perfect place. My place. It screams LACY and LIBERTY GRACE! I instantly fall in love and just know that I need it. There isn't a FOR RENT sign in the window but there is a WE MOVED sign with the former tenant's new address. I quickly walk to said address and speak to the owner who gave me the contact info for their old landlord.  I texted the number right away, waited about an hour, called the number and it said it was out of order- (insert frustration emoji). I had worked up quite the appetite because I'm a girl and disappointment is always comforted with food-plus, I did walk like several city blocks, so it was time to eat, right? My mama and I went to a local restaurant, and she was like an FBI agent on a mission and within minutes had the owner of the building's name, where his office was, and found his number plus email. I called, emailed, and rode by his office (which was closed) and finally thought, okay, I did all I can do and now it's time to just wait...which I am not good at! The next day, I email again and called and FINALLY get a lady on the phone who was super sweet and set up a meeting with me and the owner for the following day. To make this extremely long story just a little bit shorter...I met up with him-told him my plans-we hit if off-he was all in-and now we are working on numbers...trying to see if we can make it work for both of us.

So, that's where we are. Definitely, a little crazy but hopefully a lot of fun!

Please know, that we are a family of faith and ONLY want Gods will. Our prayer on business decisions is always the same...Jesus, we need you to make this IMPOSSIBLE if it is not in your will and will not be good for our family, finances, and won't allow us to bless others. You know I/Lacy will jump through every hoop and bypass every obstacle to try to make this work! If it is not in your will and will not allow for your good, please give my/her heart your desires and allow me/Lacy to understand and be content. We pray this in your holy and precious name, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Stay tuned to see where this adventure takes us.

XOX,

LacyGirl