YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.........

This post is in the "You Just Never Know" category since that's been the running comment echoing over the past two weeks. Things at Lollypups were going according to plan , though slowly, due to outside forces filling up my days. (I do need an assistant!!) They are:
* My older daughter's upcoming May bridal shower plans for which her sister and I are collaborating on collecting all the necessary items for a tea party for 40 women.
* Her two (New York and Florida) June weddings, for which I'm making her wedding dress.
* Writing up a 40 page business plan to obtain a small business bank loan so I can start production.
* Communicating with Vera in China on the progress of the 2nd counter samples and color corrections and development of the Tigger style.
.......and throw into the mix, my younger daughter's pending lawsuit from an auto accident which has finally found it's way onto the court roster after six years!!.
You just never know .....what the outcome would be after such a long time and faded memories of that horrible day......and happily, it was decided in her favor. Check one off the stress list and move on.

The samples were moving along fine when I received an e/mail on Monday from Vera telling me the trading company that employs her has unexpectedly closed down their foreign trade division and she is out of a job. After 8 months of building a trusting relationship with a manufacturer, I am now back to square 2. I don't say square 1 because Vera has assured me that she is still able to act as an agent for the factory actually producing the goods and without a middle man (the trading company) the product will end up being cheaper to produce. So she is proceeding with the samples and will advise me as to how we will export them.
She has her BA in Translation and Foreign Trade Business and feels confident she will get another job elsewhere. She also considers me a good friend but again ........
you just never know........

I've renewed my relationship with another Trading company (the maker of the first Tigger sample) and have been assured that they will follow my instructions to the letter and try again. The new sales rep is trying to regain my trust. I hope she succeeds but I'm on the lookout once more, for other factories that can produce the new styles coming down the pike (when I can get back to concentrating on new product). I've started developing an enamel charm with the Lollypups logo with this company and will use it as a promotional piece or give away when the time comes that I have enough product to sell and for the upcoming trade shows.

You just never know......... But I'm moving along as if I do ;)