Hey there, it's Lauren Denny, I want to take a moment to talk about something that's been on my mind: the idea of pivoting and giving yourself permission to change course.
You see, I made the decision to step back from Simply Stained Shop. Simply stained shop is a custom sign company i started in 2018. I struggled with feelings of failure and letting myself and my family down. But I've come to realize that it's okay to pivot, to change, and to give yourself permission to pursue new opportunities.
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i asked my family to put so much effort into growing my company, just to hand it over to someone else. that is also why I am so grateful that this situation arose that I could sell the company to someone who I know loves and cares for this company as I have.
and today, I want to take you on a deeper dive into my journey with Simply Stained Shop and hopefully you can see yourself in my shoes as someone who wants to start a business or you’re looking for a change in life.
Back in 2018, I made a decision that would change my life forever. I started Simply Stained Shop right from my master bedroom, with a dream of bringing the feeling of "home" into classrooms around the world. Little did I know, this decision would lead me to impact over 80,000 classrooms and counting. But let me tell you, it wasn't always smooth sailing.
Like many of you, I had my doubts and fears. I was afraid to even open my shop, terrified of failure before I even began. But I'm so glad I pushed past those fears because the journey that followed has been nothing short of incredible.
Through hard work and determination, I build Simply Stained Shop into a six-figure company, that all started with a trusty circuit vinyl cutter. And let me tell you, I couldn't have done it without the unwavering support of my amazing clients. They stuck with me through every mistake and milestone, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Today, Simply Stained Shop is using top-of-the-line machines and materials to create custom projects for clients all over the globe. And let me tell you, building a business is not only challenging but incredibly rewarding.
It's opened doors I never even knew existed and allowed me to connect with people in ways I never thought possible. But as my journey evolved, so did my passions.
Last summer, I made the decision to return to teaching, taking on a role at a technology school where I teach media to high school and adult students. And that's where Heather Lamb comes in. Heather has been a rockstar on the Simply Stained Shop team for years, embodying the same passion and dedication that I brought to the business. So when I made the decision to step back into the classroom, Heather stepped up to the challenge, becoming the head of Simply Stained Shop.
But here's the best part: Simply Stained Shop isn't going anywhere. The shop remains right here on the ranch, with the same dedicated team bringing you the quality products you know and love. heather has the opportunity to grow into a fantastic business owner.
business ownership gives you a new level of freedom, it is certainly not for everyone, as it is very demanding but there are so many perks to it as well. I am grateful that Heather is here to be able to continue on with this journey.
My dad, Dan the man, still handles printing and laser work, while my mom, Kimmie, handles packing and shipping. And of course, Heather and her team are hard at work designing and building.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, it means business as usual. I may no longer be the owner, but I'm still here, supporting Heather and the team every step of the way. So please join me in congratulating Heather on this exciting new chapter.
And to all of you who have supported me on this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support, your encouragement, and your unwavering belief in me have meant more than you'll ever know.
Business ownership gives you a new level of freedom, but it's certainly not for everyone. It's demanding, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. But there are also so many perks to it, and I'm grateful that Heather is here to continue on this journey.
I was nervous to share this part of my life, but it feels good to be open about the fact that I'm ready for a change. Change can be scary, but it can also be incredibly liberating.
So here's to embracing new opportunities, chasing our dreams, and never being afraid to pivot when necessary.
Thank you for joining me on this journey and allowing me to share my heart on this matter. if you have been around here for a while, supported simply stained please reach out i would love to personally say thank you.
Until next time, keep chasing your dreams and making a difference in the world.