Why my whole world has changed!Lately I’ve had emails from customers wanting to know when our retail store is going to reopen, so I thought it was time to share………..
A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The shock was huge and devastating to me and my family, much of which lives overseas. Everyone’s initial reaction was one of shock and I know they were thinking two things (1) you’re a dead women and (2) those poor kids (Miss 3 and 7) ….and why shouldn’t they I thought the same thing too, I don’t want my kids to grow up without a mum, I’m selfish, I’ve invested too much into them already to not reap the rewards now they’re older and so damn cute!
Sitting in the doctors office sobbing my heart out, I truly didn’t take anything in apart from the word rare, which as it turns out it isn’t – it is a rarer kind but not ‘never’ seen before. After quick phone calls to close relatives before word got out we set about a series of tests to determine the extent of it all and what treatment was best. Through it all I had to maintain my smiley face at work each day and then at home each night in front of the kids…. it was hard!
Treatment was swift, within 3 weeks I was in hospital having a full hysterectomy. What a horrendous operation! Less said about that!!! A week in hospital and then back home for 6 weeks recovery. My mom flew over to look after the family and of course there were business decisions which needed to be made as well.
The short space of time left me no option but to close the retail store allowing me time to recover completely and just operate online.
There was a lot of thinking time on that couch and what I decided was my life was so so so jam packed every minute of the day with work, kids, cooking….life really…we all do it…but I wondered why. So I’ve decided to stop!
It’s just not worth it and to tell you the truth I never enjoyed the rushing everywhere all the time just to get to the next thing when really the next thing isn’t important at all.
So here I am 6 weeks on from the op and making some life changing decisions, which are long overdue.
I have decided to keep the online store active and close the retail side as well as scaling down all our retailers in NZ and OZ and keep it a bit more exclusive with a select few– the reality of the situation is that 90% of our business has always been and still is online, as we started as an online business, now we just need to perfect that!
Cancer is the single most gut wrenching word to hear and the instant panic that it causes is awful. Once the dust settles and with a little more information at hand from specialists (and not Mr Google!!!!!!!!) you get a better grip on things and actually focus on what you need to do to survive.
People tell me I’m lucky, it’s been caught early enough that further treatment is not needed. I don’t feel lucky, I feel like I’ve cheated all those other cancer sufferers who aren’t with us today and my thoughts are always with those families!
The support from my family and friends as well as some awesome business friends has been unbelievable and it’s thanks to them that I have stayed strong. On the whole I’m in a good place now.
In the meantime, we’re in the process of moving back to my home studio, which is a beautiful relaxed and creative environment. The warehouse will still be used for all our storage and packing and all furniture production has been outsourced.
So that means, there are some giveaway bargains on ex shop stock and all our outlet store seconds/samples are being added to the new online OUTLET STORE, so feel free to stop by and snap them up as there are usually only one of each item. Here's the link
Online StoreAll unsold furniture items will be listed on TradeMe if they aren’t sold by Sunday, as I need to clear the space.
I’m feeling creative again, so all customized artworks, drawer knobs and other creations are now available again, so feel free to drop me a mail, even if it’s just to say hi
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