08/07/2024
PSA: I’m packing up and going home, y’all! ❤️
RA was never my forever and it has served its purpose for my family. We are dismantling the brand and listing the building for sale. Tearing down the brand was absolutely not how I planned for the transition to go but a plan is just that, right? A plan. And sometimes, plans need to change.
Hear me out.
While I originally intended to grow the business for seven to ten years and then sell the brand off to someone else, I simply didn’t dream RA would get so big so fast and allow us to reroute our lives as quickly as it did.
If we have ever chatted about RA in depth, then you already know this was the whole goal. Created as a stepping stone and a crutch, RA was a leap of faith with the sole intention being for my husband to eventually be able to leave his long-time factory job so that we could work together, for ourselves, and be able to prioritize our large family to the fullest.
Goal met and then some! We now own TWO successful small businesses and are ready to focus on just one together, allowing us to even better prioritize our marriage, children, and homesteading lifestyle.
Honestly, just six weeks ago the plan was still to offer up RA (the business + the building together) for sale. I couldn’t fathom the thought of dismantling the brand I spent way too many all-nighters building. Also, I didn’t want people to think I failed. I didn’t want people to think we were going under. I didn’t want people to think I couldn’t do it all. The store is beautiful and so loved, how could it just cease to exist? So many people will be disappointed. Not an option.
On the other hand, it’s Summer and you only get so many with your kiddos. Our youngest is starting Kindergarten and our oldest is starting Senior year; There are four more darlings between them. I don’t want to miss a dang thing. Also, I hire every August. If I sell RA as is, I need to rehire and train because my current amazing girls are about ready to start their adult lives. Not to mention, if I sell as is, then I have to start shopping, what seems like endless hours, to stock up for busy season and then when the store does sell, I will have to stick around and teach someone how to run this place from top to bottom. Football is coming up followed by wrestling. We have five wrestlers this year. How bad do I want to go home? Bad. But, wait, RA MUST exist!
I prayed about my distress. I even prayed about a different business model. I prayed about the pros and the cons to everything and for clear guidance. The answer? Pride is the only thing that says RA must exist. I know that RA got my husband out of that factory after almost two decades of his devotion. I know that even though I stepped back last year and paid my girls to run RA nearly full time so that I could go back to fully prioritizing family, that it still turned enough profit to significantly benefit us. I know that I am leaving on my own terms because it’s what I WANT. I know I am not going under. I know that people will talk regardless so that shouldn’t be a factor. I know that I will never regret leaving a material brand behind to spend more time with my husband and kiddos. That is, afterall, why RA was created. Besides that, to my family, RA will always exist. It’s what got us to where we are today and you can’t take that away. I’m at peace. So much so, that I’m willing to change the plan.
In conclusion, if you own a small business and want to upgrade or add items, let’s talk! We have so much that will be up for grabs from mannequins and tables to our POS and much more. If you’re by any chance looking for a nice little building to begin the next chapter of your own hopes and dreams, we will be listed very soon. To everyone else, don’t miss these next six weeks of super deals and super hugs.
THANK YOU, from the bottom of our hearts, to everyone who made RA what it is and for your loyal support. We have seriously met THE BEST people on this journey, many of whom we now call friends. As a collective, your drive to shop small and shop local quite literally changed the direction of our lives. We love and appreciate each and every one of you. Continue to shop local and support small businesses; You’re doing big things. As I sit here with a tears in my eyes, I mean that. For real. ❤️RA
P.S. Don’t forget to come use up those gift cards!
