Fighting till the end

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I was poolside on Saturday trying desperately to give my brain a rest. I haven’t been sleeping well. I am on the computer every waking moment and I have to say it out loud at least 3 times per day...”this too shall pass”.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]My husband was putzing around the yard, trying to figure out where he wanted to start, as he has many projects that he wants to get done.

I said to him “why don’t you take a moment with your wife”. You’ll have plenty of time to get done what needs to get done.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]He grabbed himself a beer and sat down next to me.

About 30-45 minutes later, he says…”can’t you just shut your mind down? You’ve been non-stop talking for over a half hour”.

I laughed at first, and then I said…..

“I’m not going down without a f—— fight”. If my Business is going to close because of COVID19, I want to be able to look back and KNOW….I tried everything humanely possible to make my Business survive.

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I’m not going to lie.  I do worry if our 30 days will be extended. I worry about every single one of you, especially the ones I know more about.

I worry about my family and the families who have been affected. I worry about my daughter and her boyfriend.

I worry about my family at Life of Riley.

It’s very tiring.

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However, I refuse to let it stifle me. I refuse to let it ruin my life forever. AND, if I do nothing and have to look back in 3, 6 or 12 months from now knowing I could have done more…then COVID19 got me.

I REFUSE TO LET THAT HAPPEN

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ARE YOU FIGHTING THE HARDEST YOU CAN FIGHT?

For me, my constant processing in my brain is how can I help my Salons. So I’m constantly writing down ideas, sharing them with my husband, trying to make it as easy and simply and cost effective as possible.  THAT is my main priority.

In that mind mix, I am also going down my list of accounts and calling each and every one of my clients. For no reason at all, just to say hello, see how you are doing through this craziness and maybe get a chance to know you a little better,.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I am also having inventory done. I want to make sure, when this is all over, I know exactly what I have that I can provide for you to do your job and begin making money again.

I am communicating with my Mfg’s to hear what they think their future brings. I need to know they will continue to be there for me….for you![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I am carefully processing my bills 30 days out in an effort not to run the well dry. Everyone needs a piece of the pie, and I want to make sure I can provide my piece to them.

In that same token, I am buying the absolute bare minimum as to not to spend, as my income has dropped nearly 90%.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I am trying to block out time for Education. Not just for you, but for me as well. It’s important for me to stay educated and focused on what my goal is. To better myself for you and our future together.

As I’ve said many times “Education is the key to success”

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I am on the phone with my Banker, my accountant and listening to savvy Business people like Kelly of Life of Riley Salon Supply.

Looking for ways I can manage financially through this crisis.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]At the same time, I’m telling myself to take some down time. Don’t go into the office so early and don’t stay so late.

Go for a bike ride, enjoy the pool. Play with the dogs, clean out a drawer. Slow down a little. Ha…very difficult to do. I’ve been working full force since I was 14 years old. That’s 45 years.

In fact, I told my husband this past week, I can honestly say….

I don’t think I could ever retire.

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My point to this whole article is to ask you

Are you fighting for your Business?

What have you done for your Business not just for today, but for the future?

Are you just expecting this to be all over and whatever happens happens?

Have you stepped out of the box?

Are you confident you will be even better than before?

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I know these questions may be harsh and I make no apologies. This is your time to either make it or break it. It’s your time to learn how to

  • Negotiate with your Landlord
  • Curve your spending
  • Be creative
  • Piss or get off the pot
  • Re-invent yourself, your procedures

This is our time, our time to come out of this better, stronger and more resilient then ever.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

On a great note. You know how I absolutely love SM. NOT!

I am refreshed to see more relaxed, fun things on SM and less negativity.

I am happy to see some fun things going on. I am happy to to feel like the panic has subsided and people are believing we will ALL make it through.

This is what I believe and I believe we are the Business of resilience.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

Still not sure which resources you can qualify for to help you move forward? Visit www.lifeofrileyss.com and click on the COVID19 link. LOR is doing an awesome job of researching everything available for you.

Still looking for ways to make some income? Centre For Beauty is offering a 1-page store set up for you to provide your clients with products for at home Beauty Care. Email cj@centreforbeauty.com

Still looking for valuable on line education? There is a ton out there to take advantage of. Commit at least 2 educational classes a week. It’s good for the soul and it’s good for the brain.

As I said to a client last week. Yes, $400.00 is a lot of money however, look at it this way. You know you are going to take the class (it is a must for her). The cost of the class will go back to its normal fee, and maybe even higher. In 6 months from now will you kick yourself in the butt because you didn’t take the class at a $300.00 savings?

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I’d love to hear how you are doing. I’d love to hear what you have done to step out of the box. What have you done to prepare for your return? Simply how are you doing?

Email or write in the comment box…..you would make my day :)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1481″ title=”CJ Murray, President”][social_icons][/social_icons][/vc_column][/vc_row]

4 thoughts on “Fighting till the end”

  1. Crystal Diller

    Hi CJ,
    Good to know there are more people out there who are unable to turn off their brains. Unfortunately, mine worries pretty much nonstop. Especially given the current situation our country is in. My new shop was open a week and then I closed. I actually closed a week before our governor ordered us to close. This week will be a month. My apprentice bowed out a few weeks before I opened, she was one of the main reasons why I decided to expand. Can’t help feeling this was a sign for all of us to slow down and breathe. I run full speed ahead 24/7 and this hurdle has STOPPED me. No choice this time. Taking the time to pay attention to others in my family who need me. Pay attention to my dogs who lay around every single day and wait for us to return. And most of all pay attention to myself. I’ve had to ask my landlord to negotiate my rent, I’ve had to accept financial help from my husband. Very humbling indeed. I’m interviewing tomorrow for another job…in a supermarket warehouse. I will do what I have to do to hold on to what I’ve built. I don’t participate at all in social media, have never been a fan and have never utilized it to build my business. Sometimes I feel left out…most of the time I feel blessed not subjecting myself to the drama. Right now though, I wish I had established my client base there so I could reach out and let all of them know that I’m hanging in and will be there when we get through this. Instead I pick and choose a few each day and reach out to see how they are. These are very unsettling times and I applaud your tenacity. I always enjoy your input and your need for knowledge and the way you pass it on. THANK YOU. You make me proud to be in this business.

    1. Crystal, you are so sweet. Thank you. I can so totally relate to your challenge. My 2 massage therapist who I built 2 rooms for with a shower, bowed out 1 week after moving into our new location. However, I learned many lessons from that and continued to move forward as a better smarter person because of it. You will survive, as will I and we will learn from these challenging times. I’m grateful for you and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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