The Path is Paved

As our official season is coming to a close, being in the industry we have learned this is the time the big boys come out to play. We have been across the state of Texas, made a hop over to Louisiana and we have one last major event in Lake Conroe Texas the first weekend in October. The last event we were a part of was the 5th Annual Fishing for Hope in South Padre Island, Texas. It came at just the right moment to lift our spirits, and let us know this indeed is the right path that we have choosen. The energy, the excitement and the group of people that were gathered there to represent Livingston was truly a sight to be seen! So as 2010 fishing season has come and almost gone, we have grown, expanded, traveled, sold, talked, demonstrated and burned the candle at both ends! As I take a deep breath and prepare for the next couple months of "down time" I think I have finally come to embrace the life of an entreprenuer. Although I never thought I would conform, being shown the path and the other side of the corporate world and I will do anything and everything possible to stay on the path that has been paved.

On the road again..

Our last trip of the month the valley of Texas. We have covered many miles over the past 3 weeks. We have met so many people, contacts, customers and potential partners. Although we are running low on gas.. We have many more miles to go before seasons end. We have made so many memories together as husband and wife and the incredible opportunities that begin to present themselves. I have learned something new this month after watching new lives come into this world and lives coming to an end. Life is so precious and I want to make sure we aren't missing all the adventures on the journey to our final destination. As we arrive to cities of the south we are fully loaded, slightly rested and ready to conquer this show. Giving it our absolute best and pray for abundant blessings and know with that combination.. Ain't nothing gonna keep us down.

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.