Most of us entrepreneurs have heard and thought about our “Exit Strategy “. That elusive concept preached to us from mentors, coaches and social media. But EXIT is such an extreme concept, it conjures up more words, like final, end, done. Well I’m not done, or finished in this industry, I’m just shifting.

Shifting to a different gear, a slower, steadier gear.
Shifting to using the loads of knowledge between my ears instead of the work with my hands.
Shifting to a more family first position ( our kids & littles are cheering as they read this)
Shifting to a mentor/teacher position of sharing and celebrating others
Shifting to a place of peace. Peace with my decision and peace with whatever the future brings.

As most of you know, 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast cancer. That nearly two years of treatment, surgery, more treatment, and several more surgeries was what I NOW realize was the beginnings of this shift. The message was there, slow down enjoy life and your people, but I didn’t quite hear the message loud enough. I kept plowing forward like I’ve always done;

“#&cancer! I can still do and be what I’ve always done and been”

I’ve been pretty angry at the city I’ve called my home for most of my life, I’ve definitely wanted to blame them for this newest assault; the closing of my venue, The Bowery Warehouse. But what I really need to do is thank them , thank them for forcing me to shift.

To be truthful, it was extremely painful this last year of business, in some ways it was harder on me than the cancer BS. I questioned my abilities, thinking I was a failure. Wondered why I had wasted these past 28 years in Amarillo. But ever the optimist, I started rallying several months ago and realized that so much of this was leading me to something new, not wholly new, just on a different plane. And I’m not going to ignore this message.

So here’s a little bit of my path forward, although I’m leaving room for things to organically happen too.

I will be leading cutting edge floral design workshops passing along my knowledge about this industry to aspiring floral designers.
Parie Designs is only going to take a select few weddings & events next year, all will have a minimum investment of $10,000. (As if this post, I only have one event available!)
I will be traveling extensively to teach and freelance around the country and hopefully abroad.
I will be taking on Virtual Design Clients as well as business mentoring clients. (Stay tuned to my SM accounts as we roll this out!)
And finally, I will be spending quality time with my friends & family, on SATURDAYS! (Those of you in the wedding industry understand the significance of that statement)

And OH!!! I will be having a massive sale of all my amazing furniture, props, containers and soooo much more. Check out just a small sampling HERE.

ALSO, I will have a lot of extra space and can sublet to the right people(s), contact me if you are interested in sharing my warehouse or taking over the lease.

I have so many people to thank for the last 27 years as a business in Amarillo, probably too many to list. But thank you ALL from the Bottom of my heart for believing in my little flower shop that started out in a tiny house on Route 66. Keep following my Instagram to see where I’m headed on my next flower adventure!