382 – Is it Time to Close Down Your Business? with Arin Wensley

Gift biz unwrapped episode 382.

I just wasn't interested in doing candles anymore.

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Your gift biz.

Here is your host gift biz gal,

Sue moon Heights.

Hi there.

It's Sue and welcome to today's podcast.

Our topic is something you may experience along your maker journey

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Okay? Let's get back to the topic of the day.

What if you start your own business,

selling a product you've always loved making as a hobby,

but now find it's not what you expected either.

It's taking way more time than you thought it would.

Or you find that the activities involved in running a business,

don't make you happy.

In fact,

it's making you flat out miserable.

What do you do?

You could just close up shop and be done with it,

but then you think of the perception you've created that you're

a quitter or couldn't make it in the world of small

business. Isn't imagining what others think of you,

just the worst.

So here's the first piece of advice.

Focus on your happiness and not what others will think of

you because here's the thing starting your own business is meant

to give you joy and freedom.

Granted, I don't think that any of us truly understand how

much work it is until we've done it,

but overall,

we still love what we're doing unless you don't.

And sometimes it's that your life is changing and your business

just isn't a fit anymore.

People also stay in their business too long because they've put

so much time and energy into it that they feel trapped.

They'll say,

how can I give it up?

Now when it's finally on a steady,

upward clip.

And of course,

if your business is losing money month over month,

and it's getting financially risky for you,

something needs to change.

Or you may want to just cut your losses and walk

away today.

We're going to hear Aaron's story.

She had a profitable business with a solid customer,

following reliable sales channels,

bringing in orders regularly.

All the things that a successful business should be,

but it didn't fit into her life anymore.

And most importantly,

her visions for her future here,

I'm going to let her explain it all to you right

now. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be

bringing you Aaron Wensley today.

Aaron is the former co owner and creator of hopping creations

Originally she and her husband sold candles at farmer's markets and

art fairs,

eventually expanding to selling online through consignment and opening a small

Aaron decided to close her shop and shut down her business.

After careful consideration,

she realized she no longer had the passion to create candles

and hopping creations candles overall no longer matched her life goals

today. Aaron is a busy mom and wife looking towards her

next adventure of going back to work as a substitute teacher

and planning a second children's book.

Aaron life continues to evolve for you.

Welcome to the gift of his on wrapped podcast.

Thank you.

I'm honored to be here.

I am thrilled that you're here and everyone who's listening might

be like,

well, why are we talking to Erin?

She has now shut down her business.

And I actually think this is one of the best examples

that we could ever be presenting as a handmade product business

owner, that things change life evolves.

Your business could be something that you draw Olivia and salary

from. It could be something that enhances your life.

I should say for a short time,

it can be just a plethora of different things that come

in and out of your life.

And we're going to hear Aaron's story.

I am,

like I said,

so excited that you're here,

Aaron, but you know,

the drill.

The first thing that I want to hear from you is

your motivational candle.

So if you were to give us a little bit of

a different insight from you in this creative way,

what would your motivational candle look like by a color and

a quote or a mantra?

Something like that?

Well, of course it'd be all natural,

but I always like to candle.

That's always like gray and seafoam.

Cause I always loved being outdoors,

especially around water.

It gives me the most peaceful time in my life.

I just really enjoy it makes me relaxed.

And if I were to have a quote,

I would have just keep swimming from MIMO.

I always felt that it kind of gives you the inspiration

of just keep going no matter what's going on in your

life and just keep moving on.

So I would think that was always a very important quote

in pleasant,

my cartoon being.

So I would love that.

Well, and that aligns perfectly with what we're talking about to

just keep on,

like, I'm thinking of a fish that goes through water and

then warm water and all different areas.

You just keep going.

All right.

So let's talk a little bit about,

I want you to reminisce about your business and that's how

I first found you no shock to anybody.

I'm such a candle lover.

And as soon as I found you,

I bought some of your candles.

Do you remember way back?

I think we've known each other for several years now and

I bought your candles.

And one of them was sitting behind me in my home

office burning,

cause I can't burn things in this office,

but at my house I obviously can.

And it just really,

really affected the environment and how I was working.

So I'm going to first be a testimonial to the products

that you created.

They were fabulous,

natural, beautiful smelled.

So, so good.

Go back to that time.

Okay. Of hopping creations,

candles and how you started,

like where did that come into your life?

It's strange.

It's kind of a long story.

They will shorten it up.

I, after I had my daughter,

after my husband,

married were suddenly a family of four and I was going

to stay at home mom and I needed something creative in

my life between instead of being at home all day.

And I still want to also make money from home while

I'm taking care of my family.

And as first started just a passion cause I've always been

a creative person.

It started with writing an ambition to write a book.

And I spent all this time really learning the process of

doing that.

I decided,

you know,

enjoy that.

And I did that,

but I would like to do something that connects you make

money, like,

you know,

spinning buddy to something is that I don't feel so bad,

but I buy that cup of coffee.

It's my money that I'm spending.

And so my husband is like,

well help me.

He gave me two blocks and he brought some crafting books

home and I went through them.

What was soap,

making those candle making?

And I'm like,

you know,

I always love fragrance.

To be honest.

I was never a big candle buyer before that.

I got them as guests when I worked in off and

on in school as a teacher and a substitute teacher and

stuff the years and teacher's aid,

but I never actually bought them for myself.

My husband actually was the one that had candles,

but I would love fragrance.

Long story short.

I got into the idea of making homemade candles.

And at the time I thought I could get an Etsy

and sell them and be at home and be able to

have like something here and still be able to pick up

my child from school and do everything that needs done.

But that's how I kind of got started.

You were so good at doing all of the things that

we always talk about.

You were sharing with everybody online and I don't know exactly

when you started doing this,

but I could see you making the candles.

I could see you on social in your,

I guess that was the shop in the back of your

house at the time,

you'd go live a lot and talk about the business,

like all of that you were out there.

So I want to make sure that everyone understands that it

wasn't only like,

and I don't mean to say only like that,

but you were all in,

I mean,

you really built up to a point where you were all

in on this business.

Yeah. I guess what I learned from learning how to do

producing a book,

I took those same things I learned.

I learned from the publishing industry.

I kind of put towards my business,

learning the kid of business because the same things that you

do to sell books,

you do also sell other products.

And so I did the very same thing,

research, everything,

how to make candles.

I researched was popular at the time I looked at products

that were on the markets and the high-end stuff that I

thought what I liked about it.

And I try to actually mimic that in some ways,

because one thing I learned when I was taking some,

my conference from when I was learning about publishing,

especially self publishing,

one thing I did take away from like,

if you want to mix things,

people have expectations and you have to pretty much give that

checked all those boxes.

And then you can also put a spin on what you

want to make,

but you have to make sure that it looks like something

that you would go into a high-end store buy.

So I guess I was taking those same things that I

learned a lot from before about online presence,

because we know the authors would get a lot of information

about like how to sell their books,

how to market themselves,

because this was traditional publishing that at that time I was

trying to get into and I belong to a children's book

Organization, Which I still belong to,

but I learned a lot from that.

And I took what I learned from there and I put

it towards my kid or business.

And that's how I approach things.

If that makes any sense.

It does.

It totally makes sense.

I mean,

you set it all up.

You did a lot of research and analysis as you got

started and then you follow through,

I mean,

best practices clearly as business development,

for sure.

So if you were to describe your business over the course

of the years,

what would you say that you enjoyed the most about the

business that you loved about the business that fueled you?

Like, just give us a feel for you in the business.

What I loved most about the business was like,

I guess seeing people love the product that what I gave

to them,

you know,

like when they come to me and tell me how much

they love the fragrance,

love the bird made me feel good that I was doing

something right.

That it was,

this was like something that I was spot on if they

had any questions or any concerns or anything that,

that was like,

I wanted to know how to make the product better.

Or at least if I had any problems with it,

I wanted to fix it.

So I was just each time and I didn't stop learning

either at the time,

it continued on making sure that our product was working as

it should.

And also I was changing along with what was popular,

also continuing,

trying to make our stuff better.

But most of my favorite part was actually being face-to-face with

my pastors and hearing them love the product.

Just as much as I love my product,

because it was my baby.

So I was like,

I want to make sure that,

you know,

when you send it out to the world,

you want to hear whether people like it and it feels

good. And so that was my favorite part.

Yeah. And that just fuels you to do,

like, what you're doing is giving other people joy,

happiness. Like I was describing in the beginning about how it

really helped me work better.

I looked forward to going into my office,

lighting that candle and having that atmosphere.

So I'm sure,

you know,

getting that feedback.

And did you find that you were getting that mostly when

you were face-to-face versus any online sales?

Both through my Etsy,

I got a lot of five stars.

People praise my stuff.

It felt really good seeing people from other states,

you know,

not just a little local area threatened that I'm from,

that loved the product.

I got a lot of people around in my town,

but it did feel good when you had other validation of

people are out of the town,

the area,

especially in states,

far away.

So I've been,

yeah, I got a lot of rave reviews on Etsy.

And what would you say just to give us a feel

again? What would you say in terms of your percentages of

how much business came through e-commerce versus shows that you would

attend in-person?

Most of my business was from,

in person at events rather e-commerce was I think just a

much smaller percentage,

but most of our profits came from being face-to-face or through

consignment. All right.

And so now let's get to the point at hand for

the show.

When did you start feeling that maybe this wasn't something you

wanted to do anymore?

What were the signs that came up for you?

The science,

where for me is like,

I remember driving to one of my consignments and I just

kinda was like,

I'm kinda like,

I would like to do something different.

I would like to have some use of different product or

something else that I'm selling.

I don't know.

I just wasn't interested in doing candles anymore.

And I think a lot of it was like the time

that it takes to make a bunch of product.

And then rather than if you have something on hand,

like selling wine or something,

you have a wine shop,

it's easier to like you're buying stuff and you're selling it.

You don't have to make it.

I know there's probably more that goes into it,

but I just felt like it was becoming so time consuming,

making the product marketing felt like it was taking,

even though I was like at home,

in my shop or at an event,

it felt like I wasn't really home that much.

I guess I envisioned like I'll be home working from home

and I could be with my family at the same time.

And then I realized when I am home,

I'm not really home.

And it just felt exhausting.

It just didn't seem as I was like,

do what I set out to do.

And I kind of got frustrated with that And clearly a

challenge for handmade product creators,

for sure that you have that extra level of the time

that you have to put into production.

So as you were starting to feel like,

gosh, this just isn't what I thought it was going to

be. And it sounds to me like it was starting to

pull you away from your family.

How long did you go?

Like you had this initial thought and these initial feelings when

you were driving,

as you were describing to the consignments,

how long did you go?

Did you battle the idea?

A little bit saying,

well, but gosh,

I built this business and I liked the business or I

did like the business.

I don't like this anymore.

It's done.

Or was there time in between where you kind of let

the idea settle in?

I like the fact that the people love my stuff and

I feel kind of bad for LA initially when I finally

decided like,

okay, I really am done with that.

I didn't want to let my customers down.

I felt bad for them.

I felt like I was letting them down,

but the time it took from there,

it was finally November.

Cause the fall is always a really difficult time.

It just,

we could never have any weekend for family.

And it felt like,

like all our weekends were no longer ours.

So the business started retaking.

And one thing,

I guess there was a local family who owns like a

soap shop.

They live in,

read the business and for them that works for them.

But I realized it doesn't really work for me originally.

I felt like,

oh, I could build a SOC and eventually have a standalone

maybe in town,

something like that.

But it just watching them,

every event,

everything they're all there.

And to really do that,

you have to spend almost 80 plus hours if you really

want it to succeed.

I just didn't really want that.

I mean,

I was at an event at one of the local events

they host and I had a booth there and I was

like, you know what?

I really don't want that.

I kind of want to have my weekends where it's our

family weekends and you know,

where I can,

like when I go to work and then come home and

then it's my time.

And I feel like when I was working,

I was thinking the business when we were off just driving

up the street,

I was thinking like,

okay, what am I going to do next?

What's the next marketing thing.

What's the next promotion.

I feel like I had to be Facebook,

Instagram, and constantly posting pictures,

even when I didn't have much to say.

And I know there's a lot of things you can do.

I felt like I was never really into social media before

that. And I feel like I had to do something that

wasn't really that interested in to be honest for.

It was kind of like a casual thing.

And then I felt like I had to do every day,

every moment,

you know,

at least three times a day to stay relevant and also

to be able to pop up on searches and stuff.

So I felt exhausted.

Got that.

Yeah. And I love that you're speaking your truth because there

are some people who love all of that.

I talk with many makers who are fueled like their life.

Just, it almost is like,

that's the energy that has them living to go to shows

and interact with people.

And because that's just what fuels them.

It also could be a certain time of people's life.

Like if the children are up and gone and you do

see yourself with time and you're a people person.

So I think what you're such a good example of Erin

is going after something,

you really think you want going all in and then if

you decide,

no, this isn't necessarily either what I thought it was going

to be was good for a certain amount of time,

but not continuing on or for whatever reason that it's okay

to make changes.

It's okay to,

as a handmade creator decide you're done.

And you shared this with me earlier and I'm going to

have you elaborate on it,

but you didn't put down because your business wasn't successful.

Right. Talk to me about the business,

the results you were having and all of that overall.

Yeah, actually we left the business with the profit and when

we were finished,

we were able to sell,

like I said,

that local soap,

that shop maker,

they bought all of our candles,

all of our melts plus the equipment and everything that we

had. So we were able to actually,

we were able to kale,

I head and able to use that money to buy a

new furniture.

We were able to,

we got something from it and we came ahead.

But what I realized we were able to make a profit

when I was finally,

because I used to think that I had lifestyles.

I started out,

I had like six different stores I can sign to.

And what I didn't realize at the time.

And you know,

this is early on.

that more I made,

I sold a lot and it felt really good seeing the

big numbers of selling a lot of products.

But I didn't realize because I was learning as I was

going, that,

that takes away from your profit because you're putting all that

money back into the business,

to the money that you made.

It goes back in the bin and make more products for

the stores you're selling.

And so I was kind of at the time it felt

like I was kind of losing,

not understanding like,

oh gosh,

I didn't make a profit.

And I felt bad for not making a profit because it

felt like,

oh, I didn't make a profit.

Something's wrong with our,

you know,

I'm doing it all wrong.

And my husband's like,

no, no,

he's got a business degree and everything.

I don't know,

this is how it works.

And I'm like,

are you sure?

I feel,

Yeah. So you were making money.

I mean,

you were pricing your product correctly,

but because you were in consignment,

so you had to make more for those shops,

the money that you did make,

went into creating your product.

Right? So that was a business decision that you made,

right? Because you could have pulled more for yourself as a

salary, but if you're in growth mode,

you know,

those are all decisions that you make as an owner along

the way.

Right. But the point is many people.

I think if they've put a lot of time and energy

and effort,

and you talk about how you're not as thrilled about being

on social,

but you did it anyway.

So putting all of that in,

you know,

many people might say,

okay, this business is profitable.

How could I stop now?

Like, I'm finally where I was striving to be.

I shouldn't stop.

Even though they're unhappy.

What would you say to someone like that?

You'll hear how Aaron responds to this right after we take

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Well, you got to really decide what your goals are and

why you imagine your life to be.

And I think that's one thing I guess we love to

travel. And the idea of like I'm taking a business from

a shop from Burbank house and into like,

say like invest money,

ports, be a standalone shop.

Cause that was actually for the next step we would have

taken. And I think we would done pretty good,

you know,

but it's like,

you have to like,

that's the money that would've gone to vacations possible travel abroad.

If we get a chance that was one of her goals

when she graduate or class,

we did,

weren't sure if we're going to stay in Indiana.

I mean,

we love to go to Tennessee a lot and we thought

about like,

maybe we stay in Indiana or maybe we might end up

retiring down south.

But that kind of puts us in a place where we

feel like if you talked to stay,

it didn't really fit into like our future dreams that we've

always had.

I think it depends on like,

you got to really think about like,

it's okay to change.

If, if the,

the business goals might be go one direction,

but your goals in life might be go to the other

one and you kind of have to decide which you go,

which is going to be the happiest.

Yeah. That's really good advice.

And like I said,

I mean,

it didn't fit for you.

It could work for others.

You know,

it's just your own individual choice along the way.

Tell me about the conversation you had with your husband when

you're like,

I think it's time to shut it down.

He was ecstatic on us to be,

cause he is my business guy.

I was the creator and he was blend that did the

taxes because actually the business was really in his name the

first and that was the co-owner because he set up all

the paperwork and all the license and all that stuff.

That's all him.

And so he was actually really,

really kind of like finally I could have some breasts,

so he was excited.

So that's good because you both saw that this was great

to do,

probably loved the experience of doing it.

It got to the point where it wasn't until you were

both bought into the fact that you should fold the business,

which is perfect.

Oh yeah.

That's another thing I could say that I've done.

I think I look at it as like,

okay, well I've done this.

That's kind of another thing in my life that I could

say that I,

you know,

check off my variances.

Right. So what kind of steps did you take to actually

close the business?

You've already started referencing the other shop if someone's in this

situation. And also the other thing I just want to say

to anyone who's listening is sometimes you shut down one business

to start another to a lot of people will have multiple

businesses over the course of their life.

You've learned something from the business you currently have.

Maybe you're just not in love with the product that you

make anymore,

or maybe the product has lost its relevancy because it's just

not part of our day-to-day lives.

I mean,

there are so many reasons why you would do this type

of thing where you would completely shut down and either start

something new,

move on to something else or just be done with business

overall. And I want to just say here,

because I want to make sure that we put it in

this show when you close a business,

for any reason that does not mean in any way,

you're a failure because that big F-word could shine its little

gnarly head anywhere.

So get that out of your mind.

Always, you know,

you're just,

you're moving on.

You're changing things,

you're adjusting,

whatever. Okay,

Erin. So if people are thinking,

gosh, you know what,

this is speaking my truth.

You know,

I don't know if I'm really so happy anymore.

I'm not even sure how I shut down a business.

What types of things did you do?

Well for us,

we were as huge,

like saying like we don't have headache,

like someone who had a shop on main street or anything

like that.

So I'm not sure it's more complications,

but first thing I did,

I let my customers know I had a newsletter cause I

had a website and I had a newsletter and I made

sure everybody knew.

I kind of explained it in my newsletter.

Kind of like a thank you to my customers for being

there and supporting us throughout the years.

And I kind of just let them know as well as

I let all my kids mine and then also made sure

I thank them very much.

And then I also,

I let my the same,

no, cause like by that time I cut down my consignments

down to just maybe like a handful,

maybe two or three at that time.

So I let them know and I gave us a time.

I remember if I'm thinking correctly,

you also had a specific time when you were going to

be done.

Oh yeah.

So you told all of us,

the supply is what the supply is.

If you're interested,

you have until this date and that's it.

So you were very definite on the end date,

right? Yeah.

I made sure they knows everybody wants to get something.

Plus I also want,

I could sell as much as I possibly could sell.

So it wouldn't have a bunch of product by the end

of the thing.

Cause I would be able to have a warehouse of candles

and you know,

my house.

And so I sold as much as I could.

And then I let people know that is certain time.

And then we're going to have to close down the business

that the shop will be done.

And I let everyone know online as well as locally,

they would come to the shop.

I would feel bad if I just kind of let them

high and dry,

you know,

I didn't like disrespect them I guess.

Yeah. And honestly you never know what the future holds either.

Say 10 years from now,

you decide,

you want to go back into business.

You want to make sure that you're closing the door nicely.

You're not slamming a cha.

You're just saying bye for now and closing the door and

you never know,

You never want to burn the bridges.

Right. Okay.

So you did that.

You alerted your customers also your consignment accounts.

And then what else did you do?

Once I checked all the accounts of all my consignments,

we kind of started like looking at for people to buy

our materials and everything.

It's like all of our pots and all that stuff that,

that goes in.

I still had a bunch of wax and stuff.

I was looking to sell all my materials that I use

to make the product.

So I want to make sure that I don't lose money

on that.

First I checked some of the people I consigned signed with.

I had a few bites there,

but I eventually put it out there on Facebook.

And luckily the lady in town who owns the soap shop

was very much interested and she also bought all of our

products and to sell in her shop.

So your material on an average,

did you decide to price it just to reimburse your costs?

Or were you trying to get a little bit of margin

off of it?

Or what were you thinking there?

We calculated all the cost of it and then just kind

of gave her basically at cost because it wasn't so much

about, we just,

we didn't want a bunch of it just be here.

So we just kind of like You recoup your investment there

and also the convenience of then just getting it all done

in one full swoop is really worth it too.

Yeah. Okay.

And then I'm guessing your husband went through the paperwork processes

then of formally closing down the business with the government and

the reseller license,

all those things.

Yeah, he did all those steps and the get got a

little time consuming,

but yeah,

he did all that stuff,

so I didn't have to worry about that.

Okay. So take us to the moment when it was done,

like everything was done,

get there's that recognition that nothing else left to do,

did you guys go out and celebrate or did you do?

It was kinda funny because when the,

the people like the subtype,

they came in and picked up all our stuff,

all of sudden it felt kind of bittersweet a little bit.

Cause like,

this is kind of,

you're kind of giving your baby away,

but once it was done,

it was kind of this big relief,

like, okay,

I don't have to do the Christmas fit.

I can just enjoy,

I don't have to worry about,

like I had like a bunch of like places I would

have to go here and there,

I could actually just enjoy Christmas and not have to worry

about selling and advertising and trying to like get as many

cells possible in there and just kind of relief a little

bit, just to be able to just joy,

to not take the time and find a little bit.

Yeah. So you enjoyed the season,

you recognized it for what it had been and you walked

out successful for sure.

And you also had a plan for the future too.

You have a vision of what happens next.

So share that with us a little bit At the time,

it's like,

I was trying to figure what I want to do next.

I decided to,

like at first I thought about going back to school,

but it's like,

I already got my bachelor's.

I spent like a long time when I was a single

mom in 11 years of school off and on.

I was like,

okay, I'm done.

I was going to do that then like not,

I'm just going to go back to subbing and,

and working as a teacher's aid again.

And then also I thought about going back and perhaps writing

another book and because I already had ideas and stuff,

I kind of put that on the shelf.

I still kept my state had my membership to that WWI,

but the society for children's book writers and illustrators,

and I stayed,

stayed that and kept my membership.

And I kind of put that on the shelf for a

while, while I was making candles.

And it's like,

no, I'm thinking about maybe making another book,

but think of it as more as like a hobby and

just kind of focusing on just raising my daughter working And

the teen years are coming.

Right. So you have a lot going on,

you have a lot coming at you soon.

Very much so.

Yeah. We we're already hitting the teens.

Yeah. So tell us about your first book that's out there

now. What's that all about Zero two is observed,

is aimed at ages like zero to,

I would say five,

probably three is counting frogs.

It's basically a numbers book that talks about the little thing

I illustrated.

And it's kind of like a story of these frogs going

to this little girl's house to help to surprise her for

her birthday and as kind of each one.

And the rhyme is like one frog,

two frog is a very kind of like rhyming book,

rhyming counting book.

I love that.

I was really proud of it.

I didn't think it would get much attention,

but I got an award for that for like the reading

for kids.

I can't remember the name of the podcast,

but he has like a little podcast on there.

That's like all about books.

So I was really proud of that.

Very cool.

And could we get our hands on that book today?

Is it available?

Yeah, it's available on and I believe if it may still

be available in print order on Amazon,

you can get it.

I think at Walmart,

like counting frogs,

Counting frogs.

So if anyone's interested,

you go and look and see find counting frogs by Aaron

Wensley. I know you can't share everything and you probably might

not even have it formulated yet in your mind,

but what are you thinking for another book along the similar

type path or something different I can write for preschool-age cause

that's cause the area that I used to work in it

classrooms like preschool and I used to work off and on

when my oldest daughter was young between going to college and

that I used to work with preschool aged children a lot.

So I gave right for that age group predominantly so,

and I also like to illustrate my books.

So I have a few ideas stories that are manuscripts I've

already written.

And I worked on,

I used to try to get traditionally published,

but that's really difficult.

It doesn't mean it's not off the table.

It's a long haul.

So that's my goal.

It's a long haul.

And you don't have to,

you know,

in this day and age,

I mean I self published my book.

You could get more books out if you wanted to not

going the traditional publisher route.

So maybe there'll be a little line of books in the

future era and you never know I am.

So you never know.

It used to be like,

kind of looked down upon more,

especially in by organization,

but now they're kind of embracing it more and they're embracing

the idea of self publishing.

Yeah. Well,

it's become a thing now and it's so much easier and

timely. And if you'd want to talk about something,

fitting in your lifestyle,

self publishing,

way more than publisher,

deadline demands and rewrites and all that craziness And try to

get agent that's the hardest part.

Well, we won't go down that path cause that's a whole

nother thing,

but I'm so happy that you've come on and talked about

this because it's not anything we've really addressed yet.

I mean,

we talk about,

yeah, you close your company.

And of course some people like within our groups have closed

and you're part of gift biz breeze.

And you know,

you've seen some posts about people who are revising,

adjusting, changing for all different types of reasons.

And I love your example and you truly are a model

for someone who has a successful business and still makes the

choice that,

you know,

it just doesn't fit anymore.

So it was wonderful for the time that it was.

You have that experience.

You can say that you did it.

And you also saw when it had run its course.

So sharing all of that with us is just such a

great gift for all of us.

Just to know that it's okay to do final words to

anybody who's experiencing what you were experiencing when you were making

the decision to close down,

Evaluate what's the most important for them.

You need to think of like,

what is it that makes me happy?

Where do I see myself in five years or 10 years?

Does the business really reflect where I want to go?

And if it isn't,

maybe that's not where you should go.

So you own a wine shop.

And I like to use the example,

I guess first is exciting,

but you just don't see yourself in it anymore or your

choices like it is to do more of it or you

know, and that's not it then maybe it's okay.

It's okay.

Don't worry.

What others or friends think or say,

because you know,

they're going to think and say it anyway.

So you might as well do what's best for you.

And you know,

because in the end,

you're the one that's going to have to live the life.

It's all about what makes you happy.

And if that's going to make you happy,

then you might as well do it.

So you're giving us permission from Aaron to us.

You're giving us the permission.

Yes, definitely.

Okay. Well,

and I really,

I want to underscore the point that you're talking about.

You've got to look inward and how you feel inward versus

looking outward and how other people are going to respond because

in the end,

it's your life.

You know,

you don't want to live your life for others.

You want to live your life for yourself and your family.

Definitely. Excellent.

Aaron, thank you again so much for coming on the show

and sharing your story.

I appreciate you so much.

You're welcome.

Thank you so much to Thank you,

Erin, for sharing this very important story and being an example

of how to pivot and stay on course with what you

want out of life.

Aaron has modeled for us that it's okay to decide being

a business owner is not for you anymore,

or it's okay to shut down one business and open another.

What isn't okay is to feel like you're held hostage by

a business of your own making.

As a soon to be current or past business owner,

the rules are always under your control.

You get to call the shots and sometimes moving on to

something else is the perfect key to happiness in life.

The choice is all yours.

Before you move on to your next activity today,

make sure to get your name on the list for at

least one gift biz bash.

You can see the dates and times for upcoming sessions and

get signed up over at gift biz,

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There's also another way to get something tangible in exchange for

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Visit my merch shop for a wide variety of inspirational items

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It's a place where we all gather and our community to

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Got a really fun post in there.

That's my favorite of the week.

I have to say where I invite all of you to

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