Twelve years ago today my boss brought me into a meeting and explained how corporate wanted to restructure management levels.
For almost ten years I had been a dedicated mid level store runner, moved across three states and opened five stores. Hired dozens of successful employees (trained hundred) and passed on company culture to both crew and customers alike.
And corporate decided I needed to either go all in on some day running my own store (blech) or step down out of management. I had 24 hours to choose.
Woof that was an absolute earthquake of a day.
I called my folks, my best friend (who worked for company in another city), and finally my local coworker/friend who understood the shakeup on a personal level as well.
After spending that afternoon at our favorite local bar debating the pros and cons (and writing questionable poetry on the chalkboard table tops), I absolutely knew I made the right choice to walk away. (But still doubted and questioned and worried... what I was doing?!)
In the moment I *didn't* know what I was doing or what my future would look like, but now 12 years on, I love the choice I made.
April 24th is my own little weird holiday.

















