So, it's been almost two weeks since we closed our business. Shutting it down has been complicated since we had contracts with our clients, some of which rightfully deserve partial refunds (some have already been issued and we are working on the rest). There are some other clients, however, that are outside of the terms of their contract and do not have a refund rightfully coming but still think they are owed money.
I have tried to stop and think about what if it were ME on the other side of this? How rational would I be about MY money? My empathy for people would definitely run me directly into personal bankruptcy so I've had to approach this strictly from a legal standpoint. Unfortunately I cannot reimburse them for future time they would have had coming to them if we had been able to remain open, so only if contractually we owe them a partial refund will they be getting one.
In the past few days, there have been two clients so far who have processed a chargeback to their credit card for what they THINK is owed to them. Amazingly enough, the credit card companies will just take a consumers word for it and charge money back to a merchant, and then send the merchant a notice asking for an explanation to determine if the money is owed back or not. This puts us in a situation where we are without the money in our account that is actually owed to someone else, which is unfair.
I have really tried to remain calm throughout this whole process but sometimes it is hard. Doing the right thing doesn't always mean things will go smoothly...but it does mean that at least, for the most part, I can sleep soundly at night.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Moving on
I've been here many times but just couldn't make myself write anything down. In the months since I've posted there has been much that has happened.
On June 30, I thought I was having a heart attack and my husband took me to the Emergency Room. Now, I am not the type of person to panic over things going on in my body but this was different. Since March, I had been having episodes of heart palpitations. I finally went to the Dr. on June 29 and he thought I was having panic attacks and put me on Paxil. He told me to start slow and only take 1/2 tablet. On the morning of June 30 I did just that, and within one hour I was seeing sparkly floaters mainly in my left eye so badly that it was obstructing my vision. I was also dizzy and sick to my stomach. After working as much as I could throughout the day I finally laid down on the couch. All evening I was having episodes of a feeling of fullness rising in my chest up to my mouth. My mouth would go numb, my heart would race wildly, and I could feel my blood pressure going through the roof. When the episodes started happening one right after the other, it scared me enough to go to the ER. I was there for about three hours and they sent me home with a diagnosis of heart palpitations, a referral to a cardiologist, and a prescription for Xanax.
In the months since, I have felt somewhat better. I did see a cardiologist and had a stress echo test, and other than high blood pressure they think I am ok. I'm on a beta blocker to help the HBP. I know it is a combination of perimenopause and stress and I am doing my best to control it with progesterone cream and estrogen gel, the beta blocker, and now Lexapro as well.
Our business has failed. We had a contract to sell but it fell through. For whatever the reason, we are meant to take this path and we just have to move forward. We will be open until at least 10/21 to allow our members to grieve the process of our closing as well as to attempt to settle up some outstanding contracts. It is a mixture of relief and overwhelming stress, as some people expect at least partial refunds on their contracts and we have no money to pay them. We are not closing up in the night and running away, but choosing to face this head on and promise our members that we will honor our commitments. This means payment will come directly from us, not the business, so I am working as much as I can to make this process easier. My husband is meeting with a lawyer next week to figure out if and how we can get out of our lease. This is the biggest obstacle we have to overcome.
We have not lost our faith. There are days that we waver (like last night I went to bed at 8:30 because I couldn't stand to THINK anymore) but we know this could be much worse. Our membership has been down and this means fewer people we have to reimburse, so this is a blessing. We are praying for peace in our hearts and the strength to do everything that needs to be done to close this chapter in our lives.
On June 30, I thought I was having a heart attack and my husband took me to the Emergency Room. Now, I am not the type of person to panic over things going on in my body but this was different. Since March, I had been having episodes of heart palpitations. I finally went to the Dr. on June 29 and he thought I was having panic attacks and put me on Paxil. He told me to start slow and only take 1/2 tablet. On the morning of June 30 I did just that, and within one hour I was seeing sparkly floaters mainly in my left eye so badly that it was obstructing my vision. I was also dizzy and sick to my stomach. After working as much as I could throughout the day I finally laid down on the couch. All evening I was having episodes of a feeling of fullness rising in my chest up to my mouth. My mouth would go numb, my heart would race wildly, and I could feel my blood pressure going through the roof. When the episodes started happening one right after the other, it scared me enough to go to the ER. I was there for about three hours and they sent me home with a diagnosis of heart palpitations, a referral to a cardiologist, and a prescription for Xanax.
In the months since, I have felt somewhat better. I did see a cardiologist and had a stress echo test, and other than high blood pressure they think I am ok. I'm on a beta blocker to help the HBP. I know it is a combination of perimenopause and stress and I am doing my best to control it with progesterone cream and estrogen gel, the beta blocker, and now Lexapro as well.
Our business has failed. We had a contract to sell but it fell through. For whatever the reason, we are meant to take this path and we just have to move forward. We will be open until at least 10/21 to allow our members to grieve the process of our closing as well as to attempt to settle up some outstanding contracts. It is a mixture of relief and overwhelming stress, as some people expect at least partial refunds on their contracts and we have no money to pay them. We are not closing up in the night and running away, but choosing to face this head on and promise our members that we will honor our commitments. This means payment will come directly from us, not the business, so I am working as much as I can to make this process easier. My husband is meeting with a lawyer next week to figure out if and how we can get out of our lease. This is the biggest obstacle we have to overcome.
We have not lost our faith. There are days that we waver (like last night I went to bed at 8:30 because I couldn't stand to THINK anymore) but we know this could be much worse. Our membership has been down and this means fewer people we have to reimburse, so this is a blessing. We are praying for peace in our hearts and the strength to do everything that needs to be done to close this chapter in our lives.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Having faith
I have been so pissy this week. I really do try to control this because I don't want to be this way. I get up and pray daily for strength but I know I am battling a war with Satan for my peace of mind. In addition, I have reduced my Prometrium hormone from 200 mg to 100 mg because of other side effects I was having. The only thing I noticed at first is that I didn't sleep as well, but now I am beginning to wonder if the 200 mg kept me on a more even keel emotionally?
This period in my life has been so difficult for me. The business is still not sold and only hanging on by a thread from month to month. If I really think about it, I know that God has saved us time and time again and I should be praising Him constantly that we have not had to close our doors. Don't get me wrong - I do thank Him regularly - it's just that I feel guilty when I start to lose faith and feel the way I do this week.
We have taken out another large quantity of retirement money and are "investing" it in the business by paying off our massive company credit card debt. We accumulated the majority of this debt not by being foolish, but because there was no business between Sept 2009-Jan 2010 and the only way we could stay open was to charge everything. We are being forced to do this as it is starting to affect our personal credit. Even though we pay our personal bills on time every month and sometimes in full, the credit card companies see the high company balance and panic, thinking we will eventually bail, and they have started penalizing us by taking credit away from us personally. I know, not fair, but what can you do? We have chosen to pay off the company debt, to no longer have any company credit cards, and only deal in cash until the business sells. The money we receive from the sale of the business (assuming it will sell) will be rolled back into our retirement. If we run out of cash before we sell, we have no credit cards to fall back on and we will have to close our doors.
This is where our faith comes in. If this business was truly put in place by God as we have felt all along, then He will allow it to prosper and remain open, or will bring that elusive buyer in His time. In our gut, we do not feel that God wants this to fail. He wants us to trust Him to carry the burden for us. When we finally let go is when He can do His work.
This period in my life has been so difficult for me. The business is still not sold and only hanging on by a thread from month to month. If I really think about it, I know that God has saved us time and time again and I should be praising Him constantly that we have not had to close our doors. Don't get me wrong - I do thank Him regularly - it's just that I feel guilty when I start to lose faith and feel the way I do this week.
We have taken out another large quantity of retirement money and are "investing" it in the business by paying off our massive company credit card debt. We accumulated the majority of this debt not by being foolish, but because there was no business between Sept 2009-Jan 2010 and the only way we could stay open was to charge everything. We are being forced to do this as it is starting to affect our personal credit. Even though we pay our personal bills on time every month and sometimes in full, the credit card companies see the high company balance and panic, thinking we will eventually bail, and they have started penalizing us by taking credit away from us personally. I know, not fair, but what can you do? We have chosen to pay off the company debt, to no longer have any company credit cards, and only deal in cash until the business sells. The money we receive from the sale of the business (assuming it will sell) will be rolled back into our retirement. If we run out of cash before we sell, we have no credit cards to fall back on and we will have to close our doors.
This is where our faith comes in. If this business was truly put in place by God as we have felt all along, then He will allow it to prosper and remain open, or will bring that elusive buyer in His time. In our gut, we do not feel that God wants this to fail. He wants us to trust Him to carry the burden for us. When we finally let go is when He can do His work.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Blessing from Above
My hubby and I were talking last month and dreaming about what we will do with our lives once the business sells. I said something to the effect that I will go back to my former transcription employer and BEG for them to take me back so I can have a secure full-time job.
Well, no begging will be necessary.
Yesterday, out of the blue, my phone rang and it was my former employer OFFERING me a job. And not just any job. A coveted position with a highly regarded hospital, fantastic working hours and fabulous pay.
For the past year and a half I thought this transcription company didn't appreciate me and what I had done before we opened our business. I was crushed when they didn't want to hire me back when I tried to go back part time after we opened the business. Now they are telling me that I have a very good reputation of doing good work and being very dependable.
My first thought was how can I handle a full time job NOW? We are desperately trying to sell the business and trying to keep the place afloat until it does sell. If I am away from there for most of the day, every day plus some weekends, all of the burden falls on my husband's shoulders. I wasn't sure I could live with this.
That is, until my precious hubby reminded me that this is what I wanted, it just didn't happen with MY timing, and I needed to reconsider and call them back quickly. Which is what I did. And within an hour I was awarded this job. Woo hoo!
Okay, so now where to start? I must start reorganizing my life and my brain to start thinking like a full-time employee. Even though I have the pleasure of working from home, I must still keep myself on a schedule and work the hours that I am committed to. Let's face it - I've gotten lazy and now I'm scared.
But scared in a GOOD way. Wish me luck!
Since it's Saturday I will put this all aside for now and go enjoy a day with my daughter, shopping and celebrating with a lunchtime margarita. Ole!
Well, no begging will be necessary.
Yesterday, out of the blue, my phone rang and it was my former employer OFFERING me a job. And not just any job. A coveted position with a highly regarded hospital, fantastic working hours and fabulous pay.
For the past year and a half I thought this transcription company didn't appreciate me and what I had done before we opened our business. I was crushed when they didn't want to hire me back when I tried to go back part time after we opened the business. Now they are telling me that I have a very good reputation of doing good work and being very dependable.
My first thought was how can I handle a full time job NOW? We are desperately trying to sell the business and trying to keep the place afloat until it does sell. If I am away from there for most of the day, every day plus some weekends, all of the burden falls on my husband's shoulders. I wasn't sure I could live with this.
That is, until my precious hubby reminded me that this is what I wanted, it just didn't happen with MY timing, and I needed to reconsider and call them back quickly. Which is what I did. And within an hour I was awarded this job. Woo hoo!
Okay, so now where to start? I must start reorganizing my life and my brain to start thinking like a full-time employee. Even though I have the pleasure of working from home, I must still keep myself on a schedule and work the hours that I am committed to. Let's face it - I've gotten lazy and now I'm scared.
But scared in a GOOD way. Wish me luck!
Since it's Saturday I will put this all aside for now and go enjoy a day with my daughter, shopping and celebrating with a lunchtime margarita. Ole!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Big Apple
We are back from four days in NYC.
When we arrived on Saturday, it was FREEZING. I mean, can't-feel-your-fingers-and-toes-wind-take-your-breath-away freezing. After walking around playing the tourist for several hours, we were exhausted. Unfortunately, our hotel would not let us check in even a few minutes early. Check in time is officially 3:00. We tried at 1:00 - "your room is not ready". We tried again at 2:30 - "your room is still not ready". Okay, the maid has got 30 minutes and she better get her groove on. At 3:05 we returned with arms full of groceries to sustain us for a few days and thankfully, we were finally let in.
Because this was a budget trip, we checked out a website www.clubfreetimenyc.com to find lots of free or thrifty things to do in the city.
Saturday night's plan was a comedy club in Greenwich Village. A $10 cab fare from the hotel and viola, we were transported to a small bar with a basement and a stage. It was actually a lot of fun, and one of the comics even picked on my hubby a bit.
Sunday brought a visit to a church in the Upper West Side, and we took the subway to get there. The contrast in scenery from when you leave midtown and then ascend the stairs in the Upper West Side is startling. You leave the noise and chaos of the city behind you, and arrive in a place where there are neat brownstones stacked together, with trees and birds singing, kind of like the outside shot of the home on the Cosby show. It's amazing, and makes one understand why someone might want to move there. Anyway, after an uninspiring service we hopped a cab back to the East Side and hit up 2 Little Red Hens, a bakery. Now, the reason for this was all the hoopla about the Magnolia Bakery. The rumor is they supposively have the BEST cupcakes in NYC and that people would wait in line outside to buy them. We checked online, and the local word was Magnolia was tasteless and used buttercream frosting (YUK to me) and wasn't worth the wait. More positive comments were made about 2LRH with their cream cheese frosting. So, we sloshed in the POURING rain to try these wonderful cupcakes, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. Such beautiful cakes and other pastries in the display cases made me want to import them right back home. We also saw 'The Blind Side' movie that afternoon, and stopped for wings and beer on the way back. Other than being soaking wet we had a great time.
On Monday the weather finally cleared and was mild, so we walked the streets all day taking in the sights, eating at the famous Katz deli, going to the top of the Empire State Building, and shopping. Monday night we splurged on a nice dinner (and dessert!) at the Red Eye Grill and then walked over to Rockefeller Center to see the big Christmas tree lit up at night. It was eight years ago on December 6 that hubby proposed in a horse-drawn carriage in front of the tree at Rockefeller Center, so this was somewhat of an anniversary trip for us. Special memories!
Most of the day Tuesday was spent in airports and in the air. We were finally home by 7:30 p.m. Oh, the joy of connecting flights.
All in all, I would say we had a great time. It took us away from the stress of home and work, and allowed us to focus on each other for a few days. The only change I would make or suggest to anyone wanting to visit there is to not go in the wintertime. The weather is too unpredictable, and springtime in NY is worth the wait!
When we arrived on Saturday, it was FREEZING. I mean, can't-feel-your-fingers-and-toes-wind-take-your-breath-away freezing. After walking around playing the tourist for several hours, we were exhausted. Unfortunately, our hotel would not let us check in even a few minutes early. Check in time is officially 3:00. We tried at 1:00 - "your room is not ready". We tried again at 2:30 - "your room is still not ready". Okay, the maid has got 30 minutes and she better get her groove on. At 3:05 we returned with arms full of groceries to sustain us for a few days and thankfully, we were finally let in.
Because this was a budget trip, we checked out a website www.clubfreetimenyc.com to find lots of free or thrifty things to do in the city.
Saturday night's plan was a comedy club in Greenwich Village. A $10 cab fare from the hotel and viola, we were transported to a small bar with a basement and a stage. It was actually a lot of fun, and one of the comics even picked on my hubby a bit.
Sunday brought a visit to a church in the Upper West Side, and we took the subway to get there. The contrast in scenery from when you leave midtown and then ascend the stairs in the Upper West Side is startling. You leave the noise and chaos of the city behind you, and arrive in a place where there are neat brownstones stacked together, with trees and birds singing, kind of like the outside shot of the home on the Cosby show. It's amazing, and makes one understand why someone might want to move there. Anyway, after an uninspiring service we hopped a cab back to the East Side and hit up 2 Little Red Hens, a bakery. Now, the reason for this was all the hoopla about the Magnolia Bakery. The rumor is they supposively have the BEST cupcakes in NYC and that people would wait in line outside to buy them. We checked online, and the local word was Magnolia was tasteless and used buttercream frosting (YUK to me) and wasn't worth the wait. More positive comments were made about 2LRH with their cream cheese frosting. So, we sloshed in the POURING rain to try these wonderful cupcakes, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. Such beautiful cakes and other pastries in the display cases made me want to import them right back home. We also saw 'The Blind Side' movie that afternoon, and stopped for wings and beer on the way back. Other than being soaking wet we had a great time.
On Monday the weather finally cleared and was mild, so we walked the streets all day taking in the sights, eating at the famous Katz deli, going to the top of the Empire State Building, and shopping. Monday night we splurged on a nice dinner (and dessert!) at the Red Eye Grill and then walked over to Rockefeller Center to see the big Christmas tree lit up at night. It was eight years ago on December 6 that hubby proposed in a horse-drawn carriage in front of the tree at Rockefeller Center, so this was somewhat of an anniversary trip for us. Special memories!
Most of the day Tuesday was spent in airports and in the air. We were finally home by 7:30 p.m. Oh, the joy of connecting flights.
All in all, I would say we had a great time. It took us away from the stress of home and work, and allowed us to focus on each other for a few days. The only change I would make or suggest to anyone wanting to visit there is to not go in the wintertime. The weather is too unpredictable, and springtime in NY is worth the wait!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What if?
I'm 47 and 9/12ths and I just took a pregnancy test.
It was negative.
I can't say that I would have been devastated had it been positive. My tubes have been tied for 10 years, but stranger things have happened. Who is to say something that strange couldn't happen to ME?
My doctor suggested I take the test. Ever since I started my new magic pill, Prometrium (a natural progesterone supplement) let's just say mother nature hasn't visited, and she had been with amazing regularity before. Taking this wasn't supposed to throw me into full-blown menopause, but I think that's where I am at this point. I go to see the doc on Tuesday and the list of questions is long.
So, back to the real world...
On another note, we have some visitors arriving from Canada on Monday to tour our Center. These are representatives of an investment group that is looking to buy the company of which we are a franchise. What this means for us is this is a chance for them to make us a corporate center, which means maybe they would buy us out? I'm not sure how that works but I am hopeful something good will come of the visit. We spent most of the day cleaning and just making sure everything is in order. If nothing comes of this, we have several clients who have already expressed interest in talking with us.
We are praying for patience as we await resolution to this chapter of our lives.
It was negative.
I can't say that I would have been devastated had it been positive. My tubes have been tied for 10 years, but stranger things have happened. Who is to say something that strange couldn't happen to ME?
My doctor suggested I take the test. Ever since I started my new magic pill, Prometrium (a natural progesterone supplement) let's just say mother nature hasn't visited, and she had been with amazing regularity before. Taking this wasn't supposed to throw me into full-blown menopause, but I think that's where I am at this point. I go to see the doc on Tuesday and the list of questions is long.
So, back to the real world...
On another note, we have some visitors arriving from Canada on Monday to tour our Center. These are representatives of an investment group that is looking to buy the company of which we are a franchise. What this means for us is this is a chance for them to make us a corporate center, which means maybe they would buy us out? I'm not sure how that works but I am hopeful something good will come of the visit. We spent most of the day cleaning and just making sure everything is in order. If nothing comes of this, we have several clients who have already expressed interest in talking with us.
We are praying for patience as we await resolution to this chapter of our lives.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Changes
We've gone public.
Our business is officially for sale. It has been privately for some time now, but we felt it was time to announce it to everyone at our Center.
We had a staff meeting today and let our employees know, and also let some clients know who were interested in the franchise at one point, that we are available to purchase.
My hubby is kind of wound up today about it and is ready to drop the price since we haven't had any serious 'tire kickers' in the months it has been officially listed. We have such visions of being free from this and how our lives will improve, but we must wait until we know in our hearts that the time is right.
Our employees were very receptive. A couple of them were very nice and said no one could replace us, that we've been the best 'bosses'. We really appreciate hearing this as we've worked very hard to build good relationships with our girls. In turn they also know that we are burned out, and some new blood in the place could create better opportunities for some of them who are ready to move up.
I think this can be a good opportunity for someone who is willing to step in full time and run the place the way we've not been able to.
We also gave out Christmas gifts today, and all of the girls had a large box filled with cheese, breads, crackers and all kinds of treats for us. It was a very good meeting filled with good cheer and not at all as I had feared once we announced the news of the impending sale.
I am hopeful, and I am ready to move on.
Our business is officially for sale. It has been privately for some time now, but we felt it was time to announce it to everyone at our Center.
We had a staff meeting today and let our employees know, and also let some clients know who were interested in the franchise at one point, that we are available to purchase.
My hubby is kind of wound up today about it and is ready to drop the price since we haven't had any serious 'tire kickers' in the months it has been officially listed. We have such visions of being free from this and how our lives will improve, but we must wait until we know in our hearts that the time is right.
Our employees were very receptive. A couple of them were very nice and said no one could replace us, that we've been the best 'bosses'. We really appreciate hearing this as we've worked very hard to build good relationships with our girls. In turn they also know that we are burned out, and some new blood in the place could create better opportunities for some of them who are ready to move up.
I think this can be a good opportunity for someone who is willing to step in full time and run the place the way we've not been able to.
We also gave out Christmas gifts today, and all of the girls had a large box filled with cheese, breads, crackers and all kinds of treats for us. It was a very good meeting filled with good cheer and not at all as I had feared once we announced the news of the impending sale.
I am hopeful, and I am ready to move on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)