Sunday, August 5, 2007

Curves For Women


In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

After many months of talking, listening & learning, & most especially praying, I am the new owner of the Crandall Curves Club, as of August 1st! Who knew that I would be this, a year ago...I sure didn't! Thank you God for this opportunity. To be part of helping women get physically fit for life, and do it myself, is really meaningful to me. Here is a place where people encourage each other and build friendships, even in the short 30 minute workout!

I know that I would have made some very foolish decisions, were it not for the encouragement and advice from several men that God gifted me with their wisdom and experience: Dick Murphy for planting the idea in me in the fall of 2007, for looking at figures and information that didn't make sense to me, and continually giving me the confidence to even consider pursuing this opportunity. Chris Ewing for the time that he took to look over figures, and lead meetings that, I knew that I was not capable of. He gave his advice and time even during times that he was very busy being a husband, & Dad of twins and a 3 yr old! Alan Austin for time that he gave me several times also to look over tax statements, sort through my thoughts, and consider factors that I would not have known. Jon Burt for his legal advice, careful to protect me from any problem that I might not have seen. I am very thankful for all four of these men....I have learned a lot from each, more than they realize themselves. Most especially I appreciate that they all encouraged me, did not ever laugh at my complete lack of knowledge in so many things! I have much to learn about business, but they gave me a belief that I can do this. I am also very thankful for a few friends and family that have been praying for me, regarding this decision, for their encouragement over the last 10 months or so.

I am the new owner of Curves...I heard myself saying this to the water dept in Crandall, when I walked in to pay the deposit and get service transferred into my name. I pondered the meaning of that sentence....new owner...for a while afterward. What does this mean? I am the new franchise owner of Curves, what do I own? I don't own the building, nor the company. I do not own the women who come to work out. But I do own the responsibility to keep my promises to the landlord to pay him every month, also my agreements for the utilities, music licenses, royalty and advertising fees, internet service, etc. I own the responsibility to do the very best that I can to balance the staff working schedule, the payroll, maintain the equipment and club itself, and learn all that I can about many areas of fitness. I own the responsibility to balance between my full time job at Edward Jones, my commitments at church and in the community, my home, yard, animals, car, and wellbeing of my children, extended family and other friends that I care about. God give me the strength to manage well, learn from others that are wiser than I am about business. Help me to have the right balance for each area of all of these responsibilities, not shorting any, and cause me to glorify you more in each place. Help me to be a better steward of the monies that you provide for my family. Help me to be able to give each employee the hours that she needs, while trying to build this club back up to a thriving place for women of our community to come to! Thank you for Annie, that you gave her an opportunity to have acquired some experience in working within the Curves family already, and that she is ready to learn more, and very capable of handling challenges as they come. Thank you for the wonderful employees that are staying with us, their willingness to help us to learn and grow the club together!

No comments: