Just Keep Swimming

Yesterday was officially the first day of summer. Schools are out, people have begun their vacations, and the morning traffic is lighter. For us this means SELL time. It is a good day when lures leave our "offices". Trying to take on as much as I can possibly handle without completely burning out. In the next 30 days, we will be in 2 different states and 6 different cities selling our lures but most of all ourselves. We are continuing to work with the Governors office and the State of Texas and have realized that the people there at the capital are really pulling for us. They believe in us.. we have somehow touched their hearts that they are taking the time and energy to help make our journey successful. And at the end of the day, that is what keeps this train moving at full speed ahead.. well that and of course the fact that we would like to have our lives back again in the near future. Just keep swimming... just keep swimming.

Knee Deep in Fishing Season

We are about 1 month into fishing season 2010. We have already been to Louisiana, West Texas and the coast of Texas, Corpus Christi. Louisiana was a trip to go down in the books, flying a private jet, stuffed with LL. Corpus proved to be some of the hardest money I have ever worked for and west Texas although it appeared to be crazy town, much to our surprise was a success! So many things in motion, selling now in 4 different states and officially in another country.. Canada. Fishing tourneys, sports and outdoors tradeshows, ICAST in Vegas, and many more events are beginning to fill up the calendar. Motion is the key.. shaking trees, community bound. Also on the forefront, finding a place to call home for LL. So it seems at this point, as summer officially begins, we hit the ground running, onward we go. Here's to an amazing season, and hoping to come up for air in September.

By the Hair of my Chiny Chin

And so the saga continues. As last week came to a close.. I had a small awakening and decided to hit the ground again. An interesting concept, it seems more things tend to be in motion when we are out making the motion. A given seeing as we are the team, the duo, Mr. and Mrs. LL, THE ONLY ONES WORKING THE BUSINESS. So let's see what we can stir up this Spring.

It is mid April.. things are steady.. there are no big waves that we can spot as of now. This week might prove to be another life changing date for the books, but these days I prefer to believe it when I see it...which may sound clichee and a bit overdramatic but this year this fish has been led to so much water but no one will let me swim..yet. Investor meetings, banking meetings, and business mixers consume our week.

Onward we move, faith intact, solid bond still here, health 100%.. let's make some money.. and if it's not too much to ask get out on the water in the very near future.

When the Going Gets Tough

It has been one hard week and it's only Wednesday. It seems like the world has finally started to notice LL. We are now in Florida stores and working our way to Cali. We even picked up some guy in Canada that wants to see our lures so now we can say we are in another country! Doors are continueing to open, Louisiana and Texas large tackle stores are now carrying the great "croaker". But that is not the hard part.

We are now at the uphill climb.. No longer coasting, we are digging our heals into the ground and making the climb, one foot infront of the other. Blood, sweat and tears.. I am now there. This is the trying time that I have heard about, but the best part about that is, the success stories I have heard them from. Nothing good ever comes easy right? Well that is just what I have to keep in my head so I don't go bonkers making the upward climb.

My husband, who I believe was born an entreprenuer pushes forward day after day and sometimes I have to take a step back and admire him. I realize that I myself was not born this way but I am making the plunge and have literally given everything to be a part of this adventure.

My faith is strong and prayer even stronger, so I am leaving it there. I know there is a plan and this may be the calm before the storm, the cleanse before the abundant blessings, the complete test to make sure we are prepared and deserving of what is about to come.

But how long can we climb uphill is the question?

Secretary of the State of Texas

Just when I think it gets too hard, too intense, too much work.. just too much... an angel is placed in my path who reassures me of our greatness. This time it happens to be the Secretary of the State of Texas. You see, we met her about a year and half ago in Austin, Tx and she took the time to step aside and tell us to keep going.. right through those tough times. Two months after meeting her she wrote my husband a letter giving more wonderful advice about being an entrepreneur which she was herself. I responded to that letter, not just once, but several times seeing if we could possibly get a minute of her time to tell our story. A couple of months passed and we began the new year. Mrs. Secretary's scheduler (the lady who schedules her appointments) emails me and apologizes for not responding earlier, but she would love to put something on the calendar.
March 8, 2010 was the date. We traveled to Austin, first met with the Governor's office about our funding to get the most out of our trip. Then we arrived at the Secretary's office in our State capital. It was very surreal. She invites us in and as I am reaching for her hand, the heel of my shoe gets caught in the cuff of my pants and I stumble to meet her. As we sat down, my husband and partner did what we do best which is tell our story playing off one another. About half way through our saga, she looked at us and said, "You guys are already on your way, what do you need me for?!" With that said the tune of our song was changed forever. She went on to call some of her contacts while we sat there in her office, she brought people in telling them to remember our faces because we were going to be very successful and famous. She got every concept that we began to explain without a second of hesitation. She understood and offered anything she could do to help with our cause. At the end we were taking a picture with her and she leaned into Roberts ear and whispered, "I am so proud of you." Then she added to us both, "The second you feel like quitting, call me and I will talk you out of it, the time most people quit is right before they make it big."
Mrs. Secretary of the State of Texas, went on to make several phone calls on our behalf, and a gentleman we are working with in the city of New Braunfels, called us and told us he had received a call from Mrs. Andrade and whatever we did, whatever we said, she was very impressed by what we are doing. And to top that, he said I can remember just a few short months ago, when BRIDGETTE came to our offices and this whole thing began! This is my destiny... Monday, March 8, 2010 is a day I will remember forever.

Keep Your Head Above Water

One word describes how I feel; Monday. So many things going on at the same time. We have decided on the city we are going to relocate the business... We have set meetings with the Governors office.. Met with potential partners.. the ball is in motion. But for us it is a juggling game. The past couple of weeks have been filled with meeting after meeting. Personally we are hanging by a thread. We are are tredding trying to keep our heads barely above water. We have put everything on the line. There is nothing left to loose and only something to gain. The thing that keeps us alive and breathing is the fact that everyone we come into contact now is absolutely intrigued by the company as a whole. So we are going to make it through this. The larger the struggle and climb, the bigger the prize and gain will be. I will endure this ONLY because I believe. I believe in my husband. I believe in Livingston. I believe the LORD helps those who help themselves. I BELIEVE. But I pray we are almost to the shallow end because I am tiring quickly and don't know if I will be able to tread water forever.

And The Beat Keeps Runnin

It is the infamous week of the big Vday. The week of LOVE. Those who have it spend way too much money, time and energy trying to find the right gift, flowers, card, etc, to remind the person they love. The ones who don't seem to get a little more lonely, and occassionally those who thank their lucky stars they are free to celebrate this "holiday" however they want. For me I am awaiting something the one I love has had for over a month now.. Something I have said I wanted in the past.. We shall see how well the Mr. does this year.

So many things starting to unfold for our dream. The more people I meet the more excited they are about what we are trying to accomplish and with my husband that task seems to grow each morning I wake up. But we are searching for a place to call home for our business. Many opportunities have presented themselves, now just time and our good LORD will tell us when and where. Trade shows, tournaments, meetings, travel, fishing, and new adventures are keeping our calendars full, rest to a minimum and free time almost at a stand still. But I have a feeling this has just begun, it's a brand new year and I am fully ready and positioned to rock it. For now just keep running race...