The moral of this story is if you want to open your own little shop be sure you have very understanding and supportive people behind you. Add many months to whatever timing you think it will take, hey, if you get open on schedule great, but be prepared for multiple pitfalls and delays along the way. If it is really your dream hang in there, and try not to take up drinking, because you would have plenty of reason to have one or two, which might turn into three or four.

No, I didn’t have three or four, but I sure wanted to a few times!!  Don’t let all the red tape get to you, most likely it will all work out and when you are finally open, you will be glad you toughed it out and hung in there.  Just remember it isn’t all about doing cute little displays and chatting with customers, there are a lot of other things that come at you from every angle when you least expect it. 

My husband gave me a card the day I finally was able to open with a note that said how proud he was of me because I hung in there and didn’t throw in the towel.  During those many months I kept saying to him “God is trying to tell me something” and he kept saying “God is trying to make sure you really want to do this”.