What's a Business For?

I have to admit to being so incredibly busy since opening our store.  But it's the blissful busy of discovering all the new ways to learn things.  I've overwhelmed with gratitude for these people here. They make the learning fun.  They are so supportive they even gave up their traditional Thanksgiving to eat at Chuck-O-Rama so that we would have time to finally rest from the constant go, go, go.

 

I've found myself working 12-14 hour days, except Sunday since we've opened.  Although it's physically exhausting, we've met all our goals of earning and even found some magic.  I'm working so hard because this is to help my family.

In our reading this week for school we read the article, 'What's a Business For?'  If it's to just make money then chances are it will not succeed.  I feel like we've created a business that will make the world a better place.  I've had numerous examples with experiences we've encountered at our store in the short time it's been open.  

One experience was when a small group of special needs adults and their able-bodied helpers came into our store.  One non-verbal lady in a wheelchair looked thoroughly grumpy about being taken along on the outing, as she was wheeled into our store.  By the time she was moved from the storefront to the rear of the store where the gaming tables were you could see a visible change coming over her.  The grumpy expression and jerky, defiant arm thrusts were replace with peals of giggles and laughter, and clapping of hands.  Why?  The atmosphere of our store which, is set up as a Medieval gathering place had worked a little magic into her.  She was transported from a social outing to a magical Medieval tavern.  I gave her and her companions tiny pocket dragons which I usually reserve for little kids so they don't get into trouble for touching stuff from their parents.  Ten minutes after they left our store the whole bus load of special needs adults came into our establishments requesting pocket dragons too.  Each different colored dragon I give out has a special meaning.  I tell them the green dragons are supposed to help you remember things, the pink dragon helps you remember to be kind, the blue dragon is the dragon of creativity and imagination, etc.  Our store is a place we've set up where everyone can feel welcome, escape the pressures of the world by creating a fantasy, and playing games.  Here I was having a magical experience with some truly wonderful people who really needed that break.  

Another wonderful experience we had was when this gentleman came in and donated hundreds of hand painted miniatures to our store for players to play with for free.  We've encountered some of the most generous people who want our business to succeed and who give their time and talents to help others along the way, asking nothing in return.  

I feel we are succeeding,  even when people come in and don't buy anything, they leave with huge smiles on their faces and we often hear them telling each other that they need to bring so and so back.  

The article we read for school talks about how if you create a business that will make the world a better place then your chances of succeeding are better than if you just create a business to make money.  I feel we are on the right track, and even though this journey can be exhausting, so far it's always been happy.