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Change is Inevitable....Growth is
Optional... I came across this quote the other day and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. How many times do we resist the changes that come our way. Sometimes the changes presented to us can actually be the answers to our worries and prayers. Quite often, however, if the changes do not look exactly like what we want, we refuse to recognize them as gifts to grow. The past four years, since starting Deer Creek Junk, I have been presented with many opportunities for change and growth. It has challenged me both personally and professionally. 2007 will take things in a new and different direction. The weekend sales events will be replaced with a permanent showroom presence in Petoskey. While I will miss the commotion and excitement of the sales events, there will be more accessibility to you, the customer, and an increased focus on truely unique custom creations. The invitation to have a dedicated sales space within Then & Now was certainly a compliment. Tracy Nehrkorn and her sales staff have a great new building full of all kinds of treasures. I am looking forward to gaining some new Deer Creek Junk fans, as well as supporting those of you who have supported me. I hope to spend some regular "meet and greet" time in Petoskey over the summer. There is nothing better than hearing your stories and encouragement. Sign up on my mailing list to receive notices of my schedule. |
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| The Hats
We Wear... I thought I would share with you some of the hats I am wearing at the moment and maybe some insight to my "growth opportunities". What hats do you have the priviledge to wear? Engineer - After taking a five year break from engineering and management, I dusted off this hat and put it on again last year. I was offered an opportunity to work with a small, local, private business to help develop resources and systems to enable them to grow into a viable manufacturing company. While I was really not looking to get back into the traditional workplace, I have always had a desire to be a part of a business start up and growth situation. The position is "part time" and flexible and does wonders for the cash flow in a family with two teenagers. I am pleasantly suprised at how my Deer Creek Junk experiences have added to my management perspective...an unexpected bonus. Junker Extrodinaire - This is a hat that is almost always on... spying something along side the road, noticing the truck going by with a full load of stuff, knowing the spring cleanup schedules for the surrounding areas, looking at an everyday item and thinking about how it can be made from salvage. Sometimes it can be a little much....but the excitement and satisfaction is undeniable when you find that great piece of junk or create that piece that you couldn't get out of your head. I certainly hear my soul sing. Thanks for letting me share it with you. Wife and Mother - This is by far what I consider my most important hat although it often does not get the priority it deserves (sound familiar?). A big thank you needs to go out to Pat, my husband, and my son, Mac and daughter, Brady for bearing with me throughout this, sometimes hard to explain, adventure. It is important to me to be able to cheer at the ski races, volleyball games, baseball & softball games, bike races, go for a walk and to just relax watching TV as a family. My apologies for not always getting dinner ready, having a clean house, or going to the grocery store enough. Friends and Family - This is a hat that I wear humbly. I am blessed to have relationships with friends and family that are encouraging and supportive. Judy, Iris, Bedella and George....I cannot express enough, my appreciation for your help. I just hope I can provide you with at least a small fraction of what you give me. |
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Deer Creek Junk,LLC opened its doors on April 24 for the first of four 3-day sales events in 2003. Karen Brennan, owner, focuses on creating unique home and garden décor made from discarded and salvaged items. Deer Creek Junk,LLC has a blend of "Trash to Treasure" items, primitives and selected retail products to compliment today's shabby chic, country cottage and flea market decorating styles. Garden benches from old beds, chandeliers from wire fencing, and a pot rack from an old coffee table are just a few examples of the items that are for sale. We also have a selection of architectural salvage pieces for the do-it-yourselfer. The business stems from a lifelong love of antiques and neat old junk too good to throw away. A career change and emptying the barns from her childhood family farm provided the desire and some raw materials. Inspiration came after discovering a business outside Minneapolis, MN where two women conduct five sales events a year featuring flea market treasures and their flare for decorating. Additional encouragement from family and friends has been the final element to create a business destined for fun times. Karen says, "The sales event concept is what really made it work for me. It allows me the flexibility I need for my family and the ability to enjoy the search and rescue missions for junk waiting to be loved again." |
