05/25/2026
Well said, and I felt this one to my core. Running a small business is not for the faint of heart. I love what I do and the personalized service I offer everyone who walks through my door, but I am still a person with life's challenges. We could all afford to have a bit more grace not knowing what it is like to walk in another person's shoes.
Today was a tough day at the boutique, and I normally donāt share my feelings or talk about how people treat me, what they say about me, or what they say about my business.
The tears behind the smile are real sometimes.
Iām not perfect, but every single day I try my best to create a positive place for both our staff and our customers. We truly care about the experience people have when they walk through our doors.
Itās hurtful hearing people talk about you or your business when they donāt know the full story. Most people donāt see the hard days behind the scenes.
Several of you may not know that I have Parkinsonās. I struggle with shaking internally most days, and I forget things more than Iād like. I also need major back surgery after a fall at home, so Iām in pain most days.
So if Iāve ever dropped the ball, forgotten something, or didnāt handle something perfectly, please know it was never intentional.
Even through the hard days, I still show up. I still care. I still try my hardest to make things right and give people the best experience possible.
We work hard to offer something different by carrying a variety of products and creating a welcoming atmosphere. And if thereās something we can improve on, Iām always open to hearing it. I truly believe you never stop learning in life.
I wasnāt taught how to run a business. I learned along the way, and yes, weāve made mistakes. But weāve also learned from those mistakes and kept going.
Someone said to me recently, āPeople are jealous of you,ā and honestly, I donāt understand why people feel the need to tear down other small businesses. Owning a business is hard enough already.
Awards and titles have never been what matters most to me. What matters is making customers feel welcomed, appreciated, and cared for like family.
Life will try to shake you. People may doubt you, disappoint you, or try to dim your lightā¦ but a strong woman doesnāt quit when things get hard. She adjusts, learns, grows, and keeps moving forward with grace.
You can tip my crown, but I will always straighten it and keep going. š And no matter how hard life gets, I wonāt quit.
Not because life is easy.
Not because I donāt cry.
Not because I donāt hurt.
But because I believe God isnāt finished with me yet.
No matter what comes my way, Iāll continue to stand tall, wear my crown proudly, and encourage others to do the same.
Life is short. Be kind. Support local businesses. Behind every small business is a person carrying more than most people realize.
Blessings,Cheryl
