.....end of the road musings

So Lollypups hit the ripe old age of 14 from the day-one decision to embark on this entrepreneurial endeavor, to the present time- March 31, 2023 and another notch added (thankfully) to my "golden years".  As I look back at past blog posts,  I'm amazed at what went on during those 14 years: the research process, the designing, the successes and failures of those designs, the pitfalls and the frustrations of starting something from scratch,of dealing with vendors who, understandably,  had little time or use for small businesses, all of this,  with absolutely no foresight into how I would pull it off.  That's exactly what made the whole thing so exhilarating.  From start to finish, I never knew what would happen, always struggling to make the right decisions during an economic recession and the rising costs of material and failing miserably. Then onto a Covid 19 pandemic screeching everything to a halt and yet,  learning perserverance in spite of drawbacks. 

Here's what I can now take away from evaluating this enduring experience.  I am, I know, basically an upbeat person yet I also know, I have been apprehensive and basically lacking in self confidence all my life. A true sufferer of  "imposter syndrome".   For me to have pulled this off to the extent that I did, is nothing short of miraculous.  Now, that being said, I am no Donna Karen or Martha Stewart, or female CEO of a million dollar company.  In fact, I really don't think I set out to change the world of dogdom with my designs or to make my fortune.  I did however, bring a bit of laughter, joy and smiles to dog people across the country. Whatever profits I made went back into the business or to pet shelters and adoption events.  I took no salary other than treating myself on only two occasions, to craft show jewelry purchases.  So my modicum of success was really to my satisfaction, because it allowed my fragile ego to gain strength in knowing that I pulled it off in my own way. Do I miss it?  Sometimes yes, but mostly, I'm devoting myself to creating art..... something this "imposter" never had the courage to pursue wholehartedly but with the burning desire to do so.  So, there's that little success. 

There were many changes in my life over those entrepreneurial years.  Travel, grand babies, downsizing from my home of 21 years, being at peace with a life filled with many downs but still more ups. This business plopped me in a terrain of happy hustling, absorbing information, honing skills, developing friendships and, with each new experience, the freeing aspect of not having to answer to anyone but myself.  I never once thought of retirement;  sitting around reminiscing about the good old days, or feeling bad about my wrinkling skin and poor eyesight, or my arthritic knees and hands detering me from doing anything I set my mind to do.

Who is this person??? No longer filled with self doubt but walking with a slight skip in her step (when not limping)  and a smile on her face.  Talking to every dog that passes by and greeting every person they're strolling with. Thank you Lollypups Petwear for a job well done keeping this old gal sane, and Etsy, for making selling and shipping painless.   And
to that imposter.....I bid you a fond goodbye.