Hello lovelies, My book, Guide for Simple Luxuries, emerged from the challenging and disheartening period after COVID-19 when I had to let go of my promising business. I wanted to share my story about the power of resilience and finding joy in my work again.
In September 2019, my husband Ollin and I purchased a building in our small town for my photography business—quite a risk for two people in their 70s. I set my sights on building a business when the realtor showed us the building organized to house a beauty salon with two stylists already renting spaces, five additional suites upstairs, and the perfect loft area for my studio. I had a clear picture of how I would build it out.
Over the next six months, I brought on another stylist, a life coach, an esthetician, a physician, and an eyelash technician to offer a full complement of beauty services. Introducing an exclusive skincare line added the finishing touch to the vision. My photography focussed on women, and the spa business would ensure a steady stream of women who were my target audience. We had a positive cash flow by February 29, 2020, six months after opening our doors.
Then COVID hit, and the federal government mandated a lockdown that destroyed the business and left us with a $500,000 building that no one could enter. Three renters broke their leases, while the government forbade the others to operate. We worked with the others to reduce the rent and weather the storm. With an uncertain future still looming in September 2020, we rented the building squeaking by with an amount that covered the mortgage. We sold it two years late, but not before we had a flood caused by neglectful neighbors that cost $15,000 in repairs above the insurance coverage.
At this time, I realized I needed help to overcome the disappointment of losing the business and getting unstuck to move forward.
I had planned to rebuild my photography business. I should mention that Ollin and I had only married a few years before, and I was starting the photography business over as it was since we had moved 60 miles from where I had lived for 25 years. So, this was a double whammy. I knew I needed help.
As I worked with a business coach for six months and a life coach for another three months, I slowly peeled back the layers to reveal that I enjoyed writing. Additionally, people were always fascinated with the energy I lived and asked questions about my lifestyle. That’s when I wanted to write about my philosophy and how I lived all these years and share life lessons with others. I’ve owned the A Peek At Paradise URL for ten years and have always intended to start the blog. It never materialized because I didn’t feel that anyone would be interested in my opinions or expertise.
I share part of my story with you because sometimes you need help uncovering latent dreams, getting over yourself, and getting unstuck. I shed tears, digging deep through failures, regrets, and, most of all, the uncertainty that I could make the change I wanted. Through it all, the more I verbalized the notion, the more I thought, “Why not?”
I even published a book, Guide for Simple Luxuries, that I’d been thinking about for several years but only had a clear vision of what it would look like in the Winter 2022 and Spring 2023 when I had the good sense to work with two pros to unlock the direction to take.
Another difficult decision was to close the photography business for several reasons. I was happy to incorporate photography into this new business without all the gear required in portrait photography, so I knew I would still have my hand in photographic creativity.
Finally, don’t give up. I know, I know—it’s disheartening when life bashes your dreams but so sweet after the victory. Most importantly, you discover so much about yourself. Keep pushing to find your true essence, no matter how long it takes. The happiness is worth it.
Disappointment and loss can feel overwhelming, but I learned to view these experiences as powerful catalysts for personal transformation. When faced with a significant setback, I allowed myself to grieve, but I didn’t stay there. Instead, I took time to reflect on what I could learn from the situation.
I set new goals, focusing on my passions and interests that had been sidelined. This shift in perspective opened doors I never considered. I reached out to others, seeking support and building connections that enriched my life. Through this process, I discovered my resilience, gaining confidence and clarity.
Ultimately, what once felt like insurmountable challenges became stepping stones toward a more fulfilling life. By embracing change and seeking growth, I turned disappointment and loss into opportunities for renewal and self-discovery.
I’ll bet you will enjoy How Positive Thinking Can Transform Your Life
