My Declaration of Independence

With a twinge of bittersweetness, over a year of soul searching, and steadfast clarity about my purpose on this earth, I have decided to sell Vermont Shortbread Company. 

For twelve years, I have baked, marketed, delivered, packaged, promoted, mailed, taught, blogged, coached and written about shortbread - most of the time while I held down other full time jobs and single parented.  I am now married to the most compassionate man in the world and I have a job at National Life Group that provides me with the creative inspiration and intellectual stimulation I've been craving for many years. I would have never predicted these paths for myself a few years ago.  I don't remember the last time I felt so engaged, so absorbed and curious.  I want more of that. 

The truth is this: while food is still a passion for me, shortbread has taken a backseat to other more compelling dreams and goals as I approach middle age, menopause and newly awakened senses of confidence, creativity and passion that have nothing to do with running a baking business.  I want baking to become a hobby again rather than something I MUST do...something I do for fun to nurture my friends and family.

For twelve years I was passionate about this little business and built it to the best of my ability, with a lot of help and support from some creative and well-respected professionals.  Now it's time to hand over the reins to someone else; someone who can take it to a new level; someone who can give it the love and attention I can no longer provide. 

I have carefully and mindfully planned my exit strategy.  I have a vision for what I'd like the sale to look like and my intention is to approach this slowly, until that vision becomes reality...in my own time, in my way - the way I've always approached business, personal matters and work.  I do not know when this process will be complete.   

I will continue to fill shortbread orders for friends and family on a limited basis (as long as it's fun!), however, my online shopping cart will be disabled.  I will continue to blog about my experience because 1) I enjoy writing and 2) any good business plan has an exit strategy. It continues to be my goal to share my entrepreneurial insights and lessons through this blog - selling a business is part of that sharing.

I've achieved a good deal of local and internet "fame" with this business and have been most afraid of the following question:  Who am I if I'm not the owner of Vermont Shortbread Company?  In the past year, I've meditated, prayed, had panic attacks, cried, talked and written volumes in my private journal asking this question.  I believe I know.  And I believe it's time for me to make room for a new adventure in my life.  Vermont Shortbread Company has served me (and our customers) well.  Not only have I learned personal lessons, but I've received an education and credentials no grad school could ever provide.  Now it's time for me to continue my personal education and learn some new lessons. 

I love this company like a parent loves a child who has grown up and is moving out.  I will always care and now it's time to let go.  Vermont Shortbread Company will always be a part of me.               

Comments

[Anne]

Congratulations on reaching a critical juncture in your life's journey! I love the metaphor about a business being like raising a child -- it's so important to realize when it's time to let go and do it on our own terms. It's not something that just happens, although so many unfairly hold that standard to themselves when making a major change.

By the way, I saw your post because my 7-year-old is the biggest fan of that staffing ad you have posted (although not sure he's as enamored with you as that jittery cartoon resume reviewer!!!) We watched it three times in a row -- this sitting.

Congrats on a big decision.

Anne

[Dina at EntrepreneursBreakfast.com]

Congratulations, Ann, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad to see Vermont Shortbread Company go into the hands of a complete stranger! It's just one of those situations where when you buy shortbread, you get a little "Zuccardy" baked into every bite.

I just had one of my crazy ideas. I know you're not going to do this, because your heart's not with entrepreneur ventures right now. But imagine if you had a Baked Goods of the Month Club? You could have people sign up for a flat yearly rate, and then once per month, you bake whatever you want and ship out one dozen of them to each member. The thrill of this would be the "pot luckness" of the selections - people wouldn't be able to pre-order shortbread, or lemon bars, or turtles, or "no nuts in my oatmeal cookies - my son is allergic!" They'd just basically be required to sit back, relax, and enjoy the thrill of a surprise box of treats in their mailbox once a month.

Also, you could send a newsletter out after each monthly delivery with photos and any email responses you received...

Just something to slip in your back pocket for the future... ha ha?

Dina

[Dina]

Or how about this: I buy your company and then pay you to manage it.

HA HA - that was a joke :(

[Alex Ball]

Ann-

Noooooooooooo! Okay, actually, I'm really happy for you, because this all sounds good...but I'm also rooting for Vermont Shortbread Company...I love it, my clients love it, my family loves it, my friends love it...and I've really enjoyed watching you as an entrepreneur through the years- you're business was/is one of the most inspirational small businesses I knew of!

-Alex