Dearest Reader,
What follows is no secret, high-class society gossip. It’s actually more of a “Jack and Diane” story of two young people meeting, catching a naive dream, and then getting hit with some harsh realities. No trust fund. No magic. Just good, old-fashioned hard work with a dusting of wealth wisdom.
This is our story. We look forward to hearing your story one day!
The Dream Takes Shape
In 2007, Brandon and I (Amanda) shared a vision: to create a unique coffee shop that would function like a nonprofit community center while supporting itself through the sale of coffee and pastries. Our mission was clear – to make the world a better place, both locally and globally. We spent a year crafting our business plan, driven by the belief that we could have a positive impact on multiple levels simultaneously.
Opening Doors and Facing Challenges
After years of hard work, we finally opened our doors to the public in 2011. The grand opening was a milestone, but it was just the beginning of our journey. Like most new businesses, we faced a challenging start:
- We worked long hours, often to the point of exhaustion.
- For about two years, our only personal income came from tips.
- We were making a difference for others, but we barely noticed how close we were to poverty ourselves.
Personal Trials Amid Business Struggles
The strain of running the business coincided with a devastating period in our personal lives. Over six months, we endured:
- The loss of our beloved cat
- A severe stroke suffered by my mother
- The passing of Brandon’s grandmother
- A heartbreaking miscarriage
- Brandon’s emergency appendectomy
These trials nearly broke our marriage. It was only through the support of good friends that we managed to stay together, albeit barely.
Finding Balance and Rediscovering Ourselves
Realizing we needed to prioritize our well-being, we started making small but significant changes:
- We instituted a weekly date night.
- We each took time for solitude and reflection.
- I took on a W-2 job to stabilize our finances.
These steps helped us understand the importance of self-care, though we still had a long way to go.
A Turning Point
In July 2013, a documentary screening at our shop became a pivotal moment in our journey. The film, chosen by our friend Mark, opened our eyes to new possibilities and sparked a crucial conversation about our future.
This led to the development of a financial strategy that would change everything:
- We began setting aside money monthly for long-term needs.
- We maintained accessible savings for emergencies.
- We gained clarity on our spending, saving, and income-generating priorities.
Balancing Dreams and Reality
As we approached Brandon’s 40th birthday, we faced a dilemma. Years earlier, I had promised him a trip anywhere in the world to celebrate this milestone. We chose Ireland for Christmas, using our carefully saved funds to book the tickets.
However, life had other plans. In late July, disaster struck: our coffee shop flooded. We faced significant revenue loss and unexpected expenses. Thanks to our new financial strategy, we had the resources to weather this crisis without resorting to loans or credit card debt.
A New Chapter Begins
Amidst these challenges, we discovered I was pregnant. Our trip to Ireland became a babymoon, and upon our return, we made the decision to sell our business on January 2nd.
Lessons Learned and a New Mission
Our journey taught us valuable lessons about money management and life balance:
- Conventional financial wisdom doesn’t always apply to unconventional paths.
- A mindset change about how money works can lead to transformative results.
- Finding financial grounding is crucial for discovering true wealth in all areas of life.
Today, we continue our mission of making both local and global impacts while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We’ve developed what we call “Financial Centering” – a holistic approach to money management that aligns with our values and goals.
We now dedicate ourselves to sharing these insights that have completely changed our lives with others, helping them discover their own path to financial and personal fulfillment. As one wise man said in the 1900s, “We’re just hungry people showing other hungry people where to find bread.”
With love,
Amanda and Brandon
