So, I finally get the news yesterday: Rob sold the stores. When I’d been thinking about this, I totally discounted the money factor and assumed that he’d never sell because it’s his livelihood. I didn’t take into account the fact that with enough money, Rob would be fine until he decided to do something else. The Greeks made an offer that Rob simply couldn’t refuse and I’m very happy for him. He will get to spend a lot of time with his family and that is a very good thing. He’s worked like a slave for the last 10 years and he totally deserves to make some money and take a frelling break!
For me, this means the end of an era. I’ll no longer be the Accounts Payable Wench – probably to the relief of many vendors! LOL I’ll also not have to deal with payroll anymore, which will be a relief – I fucking hate payroll!
However, I also host the website, administer the site and handle all the graphics, so I don’t know what’s going to happen with that stuff.
I think that once everything is wrapped with the store’s bills I may be kept on for payroll and such until the end of the year, which would be great. I’d keep the web/graphics gig with the Greeks, but that’s all. I really don’t like the owner much and they generally make me nervous with their scattershot management style. If they do retain me for web and graphics, then they will pay my normal rates. I’ll do stuff for Rob at half price because I’ve known him forever, but these guys can pay me full price or find someone else. I don’t like them enough to deal with their assholey tendencies on the cheap. I don’t work for people I don’t like – take the corset chick, for instance – and if I do, you can be sure it’ll be for FULL price to compensate me for putting up with their shit.
So, I’ll be busy as hell with Rob for this last bit. Then I may or may not have a large gig with the Greeks. Apparently they plan to rock the Moon concept – they’ve got 3 new locations arranged already. That could lend itself to a LOT of website work and advertising work. But we’ll see. Rob is advocating me, which is very nice. I’d certainly like the work IF and only IF I can negotiate a proper rate and IF I get paid on time.
I’m grateful to be in a lull right now with ID so I can concentrate on all the myriad things that need to be done for Rob. It’s been a wild ride, but ultimately I’ve learned soooooo much. The pay is not all that, but the actual hands on experience I’ve gained working for Rob has been invaluable. I am confident that I can run a business now. And that confidence will serve me well as Nick and I try to get our comics/art business off the ground.
The end of 07 is just fraught with surprises, isn’t it? I guess it makes sense with an 8 year coming up! (8 is the number of karma and plans coming to fruition. It’s a very powerful number.) More on this tangent later…
Hey, Girl…I think you are going to be needed by the Greeks more than you think!! I hope for my sake your around for a long while. Its funny how two people can take away such diffrent exsperiences from the same person. Yes I am happy for Rob if he can make this sale and spend time with his family, but business wise the only thing I can say I’ve learned from him is how to take the biggest advantage of your key players, how to use them up as hard as you can and not really give a shit about them or their personal lives just as long as it benefits you as a small business owner…I think that karma will probally come around and bite him in the ass for some of the selfishness he has showed his management staff!! But again I wish the best for him and that he can spend time with his family…not like he gave a damn about ours but guess that is his lot in life that he will have to deal with some other time…Well enough of that little rant…sure did have a good time with you and Nick the other night!! Look forward to many more.
D
Hey Angela,
I have not talked to you and Nick in such a long while. I saw your post on myspace and came to the “real site” and stumbled upon this news. I was aware that Rob was in the process of trying to sell. I am happy for him and glad that he will have more time for his family. I am sure Carolyn is glad to be out of the dessert business (not even sure if she still did that). Pro or Con aside he is one you can learn a lot from. I will be sad to see the little feeling of the moon go, but all things most end I suppose. I really loved working at that place ’cause it was family owned.
I am glad to hear that you and Nick are doing well. Joe and I are busy, busy, busy with work and school and mostly the little man running around the house. We are gonna try to make it to beer fest if we can things are up in the air right now, but maybe we will see you guys there. Take care and hang-in during the transition, things can get crazy I imagine. Send our congrats to Rob. Also, as a quick aside, I heard Caitlain left. Do you know where or what she is up to these days? I have lost contact with her. Well, chin up girl, talk to you soon.
Candace