Just like a diet. You announce your good intentions, tell all of your friends, bore everyone with the details and then fall off the wagon.
It is time to post again (and yes, I may still bore you with the details). I was in a prolonged blogging funk, stuck in a location negotiation process that left me without anything creative or interesting to say. I needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other and focus on the end result: securing a home for the Oak Park School of Rock. I literally had to focus on an image of the building and what will be in order to not give up and start looking for another location.
I may have said this before - need to check previous posts. I think this is a pivotal week. We are so close to signing our lease. We have agonized over every detail. The benefit of this long and tedious process is that both sides, the landlord and tenant, feel that they each have what they need and want. I think this sets us up for long term success in our business and in our relationship with each other.
This is really pretty boring reading, isn't it? Tomorrow, we meet with our architect to talk about the buildout, the overall building design and the exterior finishes. I can't wait!
It is time to let the creativity flow again. I am free to indulge in thoughts about the music, the kids, the beautiful building, the connection to Oak Park, the grand opening celebration and the business that will be. There is so much to look forward to over the next few months.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Straight Up Update
For the very few people who read this blog, my sincere apologies for not posting more often.
I don't have a clever theme or idea for this post (but as I am writing this, I did just think of an idea for my next post - think, rock and roll design ideas). So, this one will have to be a "straight up," as Abigail would say, School of Rock update.
Here goes:
Location. We are in negotiations for a location which we are very excited about. Nothing is final until the lease is signed, but my instincts are telling me that this will work out. All parties involved seem reasonable and interested in coming to an agreement that will work for everyone. I am extremely optimistic and hope to have an announcement soon!
Franchise Agreement. First round of redlining and response is nearly complete. The process is rather painless and easy. I anticipate that we will wrap it up this coming week.
Money. We closed on our loan. Woohoo!
People. Wow, we have some very cool, talented musicians who are ready to join us. I was worried (but not that worried) about trying to do this and not having a background in music. I like to describe our efforts as setting the stage and being the facilitators, hoping that "if we build it, they will come." I am confident that we will have an awesome, inspiring team that will lead us to success. (Look for a future post about the team.)
It's becoming more real. I can see it. Standing in the space yesterday with the realtor and the architect, I said to them, "I can see us standing here in a few months, surrounded by noisy kids, rock music, cool art and toasting to the opening of the Oak Park School of Rock.
I don't have a clever theme or idea for this post (but as I am writing this, I did just think of an idea for my next post - think, rock and roll design ideas). So, this one will have to be a "straight up," as Abigail would say, School of Rock update.
Here goes:
Location. We are in negotiations for a location which we are very excited about. Nothing is final until the lease is signed, but my instincts are telling me that this will work out. All parties involved seem reasonable and interested in coming to an agreement that will work for everyone. I am extremely optimistic and hope to have an announcement soon!
Franchise Agreement. First round of redlining and response is nearly complete. The process is rather painless and easy. I anticipate that we will wrap it up this coming week.
Money. We closed on our loan. Woohoo!
People. Wow, we have some very cool, talented musicians who are ready to join us. I was worried (but not that worried) about trying to do this and not having a background in music. I like to describe our efforts as setting the stage and being the facilitators, hoping that "if we build it, they will come." I am confident that we will have an awesome, inspiring team that will lead us to success. (Look for a future post about the team.)
It's becoming more real. I can see it. Standing in the space yesterday with the realtor and the architect, I said to them, "I can see us standing here in a few months, surrounded by noisy kids, rock music, cool art and toasting to the opening of the Oak Park School of Rock.
Friday, December 2, 2011
A Post Within a Post
I am not sure of the blogging etiquette for stealing someone else's post, but this one is from my dad, so I am pretty sure it is OK.
A bit about my parents and fearlessness...
My mother, now retired, was a partner in a large, national law firm. She went back to school to puruse her degree in law when my sisters and I were in elementary school. She took us to march for the ERA when I was just twelve and made it clear that my sisters and I should always be capable of supporting ourselves in the lifestyle we choose. Her influence in my professional career is part of the reason we are able to make the choices we can today. In looking back, although she was younger than I am now, she too, made a huge change in her life and career.
When I was in middle schoool or early high school, my dad decided to pursue a career in art. That decision included quitting his medical practice at the same time. (He did continue to work part time in medicine to keep us fed and clothed.)
From him, I learned to embrace what he calls "Windows of Opportunity." Thanks, Dad.
Fast forward to today and I keep thinking lately, how there is a time for everything in our lives. This post by my dad reaffirms the path our family is taking with the School of Rock.
Reflections on a life in medicine, art, and now...Pasta: WHY PADUCAH…TEN YEARS LATER: 803 Madison St....our "dream" home In 2001 I wrote in my journal…Why Paducah? “One of my enduring fantasies over many years has been to ha...
A bit about my parents and fearlessness...
My mother, now retired, was a partner in a large, national law firm. She went back to school to puruse her degree in law when my sisters and I were in elementary school. She took us to march for the ERA when I was just twelve and made it clear that my sisters and I should always be capable of supporting ourselves in the lifestyle we choose. Her influence in my professional career is part of the reason we are able to make the choices we can today. In looking back, although she was younger than I am now, she too, made a huge change in her life and career.
When I was in middle schoool or early high school, my dad decided to pursue a career in art. That decision included quitting his medical practice at the same time. (He did continue to work part time in medicine to keep us fed and clothed.)
From him, I learned to embrace what he calls "Windows of Opportunity." Thanks, Dad.
Fast forward to today and I keep thinking lately, how there is a time for everything in our lives. This post by my dad reaffirms the path our family is taking with the School of Rock.
Reflections on a life in medicine, art, and now...Pasta: WHY PADUCAH…TEN YEARS LATER: 803 Madison St....our "dream" home In 2001 I wrote in my journal…Why Paducah? “One of my enduring fantasies over many years has been to ha...
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Take the Tour
I can't believe that I have not shared this yet! For those of you who are not part of the School of Rock family and who may be wondering exactly what this is all about...
Check this out.
I love the line, "For kids, it's like dream world they created in their head, that actually exists in real life."
Check this out.
I love the line, "For kids, it's like dream world they created in their head, that actually exists in real life."
The Paradox
To quote my 11-year-old son, "What happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force?"
Those words pretty much sum up how I feel right now. I have not been posting because we are in the murky, offer, pre-negotiation stage. Things are starting to happen and it would not be appropriate for me to play it out here.
At any rate, things are moving fast and not at all. The franchise agreement is being reviewed, the numbers are being crunched and the offers are in on our top locations. Now we wait.
For anyone who knows me, this is not one of my strengths.
William at Grandpa Renzulli's last summer
Those words pretty much sum up how I feel right now. I have not been posting because we are in the murky, offer, pre-negotiation stage. Things are starting to happen and it would not be appropriate for me to play it out here.
At any rate, things are moving fast and not at all. The franchise agreement is being reviewed, the numbers are being crunched and the offers are in on our top locations. Now we wait.
For anyone who knows me, this is not one of my strengths.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Location, Location, Location!
I did not anticipate that finding the perfect location would be so hard. The process could not be further from being straight-forward. There are zoning, land-lord, price, build-out cost, ease of access, building condition, considerations abound!
In my experience, there are very few instances in business where one should take a shot-gun approach. I am beginning to think that is the only way to get through this stage - go after anything and everything that has potential and see which spaces begin to make it through the funnel. I can't wait until I can post an update about the location that won out.
The good news is that we may have found our answer.
In my experience, there are very few instances in business where one should take a shot-gun approach. I am beginning to think that is the only way to get through this stage - go after anything and everything that has potential and see which spaces begin to make it through the funnel. I can't wait until I can post an update about the location that won out.
The good news is that we may have found our answer.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The U in F.U.D.
Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.
I am not afraid. I also don't doubt that the Oak Park School of Rock can and will be successful. I am, however, a little uncertain about a few things.
My sister, Beth, who has a slightly irreverent, always funny and straight-from-the-heart blog about her experiences as an internist, gave me some blogging advice. I asked her if I use the word "I" too much and she assured me that my use of the word was appropriate. She said to be real. She liked my post about FUD. With her advice in mind, I am going to talk about it again.
I am coming to grips with the fact that I am actually happily employed, I feel valued, and I am still upwardly mobile. Just yesterday, someone pulled me aside at a sales summit that I helped to put on and said to me, "Amy, I hope that you are here for a long time. You bring warmth and heart to our company and we need that." What am I thinking?!! Am I nuts?
I don't think so.
I am uncertain about what our lives will look like in a few months. I am not sure exactly what the work/life/business owner balance will be. I don't have all of the answers yet. I know that I don't want to let people down and disappoint them, whether it be my family, my coworkers or even the people who hired me. I do know that I want something more.
To quote John Sweeney, from the Brave New Workshop, an improv group that performed at our summit, "I am comfortably uncomfortable." I am OK with uncertainty for now.
I am not afraid. I also don't doubt that the Oak Park School of Rock can and will be successful. I am, however, a little uncertain about a few things.
My sister, Beth, who has a slightly irreverent, always funny and straight-from-the-heart blog about her experiences as an internist, gave me some blogging advice. I asked her if I use the word "I" too much and she assured me that my use of the word was appropriate. She said to be real. She liked my post about FUD. With her advice in mind, I am going to talk about it again.
I am coming to grips with the fact that I am actually happily employed, I feel valued, and I am still upwardly mobile. Just yesterday, someone pulled me aside at a sales summit that I helped to put on and said to me, "Amy, I hope that you are here for a long time. You bring warmth and heart to our company and we need that." What am I thinking?!! Am I nuts?
I don't think so.
I am uncertain about what our lives will look like in a few months. I am not sure exactly what the work/life/business owner balance will be. I don't have all of the answers yet. I know that I don't want to let people down and disappoint them, whether it be my family, my coworkers or even the people who hired me. I do know that I want something more.
To quote John Sweeney, from the Brave New Workshop, an improv group that performed at our summit, "I am comfortably uncomfortable." I am OK with uncertainty for now.
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