Talking Business

Which way do we go? Which way do we go? We have been running around this past week like a couple of headless chickens... and then in an epiphany moment, a few things came to us. Like the name of the business (to be released later), the model of the business, the partnerships, and even the location! Amazing things happen when you focus your energy in the right direction.

On Monday Chad took both of the boys to Maureen's house and for the first time ever (except for the occasional dates) we were both free for six hours. I still had to work (from home) but when Chad came home from taking the boys, he looked somewhat lost and confused.

I asked him, "So, what are you going to do today?" The silence of our house was so foreign. He looked puzzled.
"Let's go for a quick walk," I suggested. I needed some exercise and to get out of the house. Wintertime, rainy day, cabin fever was setting in.

As we charged up Hubbard Gulch, I asked him again, "What do you want to do today?" We were both a little winded from the first incline, plus it was freezing cold.
"I guess maybe I'll clean the fish tank," he said.
Right away, I reacted. "Are you kidding? You are free, you can do whatever you want today. You can clean the fish tank while the boys are around!"
I wasn't nice about it, especially since I knew he was right. It would probably be easier to clean the fish tank without the boys, but I wanted more. He looked frusturated. I picked up the pace, which also probably aggravated him. He hates it that my legs are a bit taller and therefore my stride, longer. But, I was trying to get him riled up.
"What about brewing? Have you given up on that?" I asked, insensitively.
"No," he responded quickly, "But we need money for that. I need to get a job first. We can't afford a brewery right now."
In some ways, he was right. We do need money, and he does need a job, but in some ways, I felt it was fear of failing or fear of success that was making him hesitate. Besides, finding a job that isn't going to fill one of his dreams, is not going to make him happy. Take it from me. I'd rather skimp and save and live frugally and have him focus on making this dream a reality then have him live unhappily. This year, this decade, for me is about dreams and making them realities.

After charging to the top of Hubbard Gulch, I took off running along a trail that paralleled the creek. It was overly soggy, muddy and slippery, but it was beautiful and the water was clear. I knew Chad would have argued, not wanting to get muddy, etc. so I ran, knowing that he would follow. When the trail ended back up on the road, I stopped and waited. He was right behind me.
"Are you mad at me?" I asked.
"Not really," he said. "I just don't know how we are going to do it."
"No one does when they start out. It just happens. You learn along the way, I guess. We just have to start on it."
"Well, where do we start first?" He asked. The rest of the way down the hill we talked about recipes and locations, about growing hops and storing grains. He was excited again, ready to brew, and ready to be a brewer.

When we got back to the house, he got out his folder of recipes and he began to come up with ideas. He made a list of ingredients for two new, all grain batches he had been wanting to try and he called Nick. Together they were off for Seven Bridges. They were back on the road to the brewhouse.