Several weeks ago I wrote:
I was led to the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 – the section about “There is a time for everything.” Specifically, verse 2 jumped out at me which says, “...There is a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted..”
Immediately I knew God was speaking and confirming to me what my heart had been telling me for awhile. It is time for The Urban Homemaker to pluck up the old and plant some new, in other words, it is time to give The Urban Homemaker a facelift!
As you know, The Urban Homemaker, started out as my hobby 18 years ago, and as God opened one door after another, my little enterprise eventually became our family business. Fifteen of those years my husband Duane guided and directed the enterprise until his home going in April of 2008.
In this difficult economy and day we live in, I am more convinced than ever that the The Urban Homemaker's mission, “old-fashioned skills for contemporary people,” and “homemaking helps for busy moms” remains a vital, timeless and badly needed message for homemakers of all ages.
The passion of TUH has always been based on the scripture Titus 2:4-5.
In the last several months God has made it clear to me that it is time for me to re-focus my energies on my writing and speaking ministry, but it has not been clear to me how I am to pass on the baton, vision, and legacy of The Urban Homemaker store.
This week it dawned on me clearly and brightly as a sunrise, it is time for me to sell The Urban Homemaker business to a family who shares the vision for old-fashioned skills, and homemaking helps for busy moms in the Spirit of Titus Two.
The ideal buyer will be a family that has prayed diligently for the right opportunity for Dad to come home. This special family has yearned to see their children work together as a family, learning countless business skills, while blessing others. The perfect buyer will also be a family that has the vision to take The Urban Homemaker to the next level.
Possibly you and your family recognize this is the opportunity that you have been praying for and waiting on for yourself or a friend. If so, now is the time to contact me for more information.
Please pray over this opportunity before you contact me for more information. Please contact me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com if your family is interested in pursuing this opportunity.
(The sale will include the website, customer list, the business name, the 800#, vendor information, my support during the transition and much more.)
I am sad to hear of the loss of your husband.
ResponderEliminarI am glad to know he is now in heaven.
My family and I are interested in purchasing your business and we believe that God will guide you and us to the right decision according to His will.
Thank you for making this opportunity available and thank God for allowing us to be considered for such a great endeavor.
Hi Marilyn,
ResponderEliminarMy name is Donna. We live in Monument Colorado. I started purchasing some bulk items about 12 years ago. I started making breads with the Bosch, purchasing bulk natural and organic meats, and then expanded to organic produce. I intended to watch my family's budget, do healthy menus and be organized in our homeschooling, and God turned it into a business. My purchasing turned into a co-op when friends asked if they could purchase from me. My 3 kids and I worked at dividing up co-op items, servicing customers and holding breadmaking classes for 9 years out of the home. When we were trying to get 100 cars through my driveway every 3 weeks for product pickup we realized we had outgrown our garage.
In January of 2006 we moved my "little" co-op into a storefront. My youngest was graduating from homeschool high school that year and I knew God was opening the door for new direction for our family. The store was a little refurbished house which had a commercial kitchen in the back. After about 3 months of running the co-op from the front, I decided I would use the natural and organic meats and organic produce and start making homemade style dinners. Well, God blessed and we couldn't make them fast enough. I asked my daughter Annie who was by then working at an insurance company if she would come over, take over some of the cooking and help me out. She jumped at the chance to be part of the "co-op" again. By June we realized God was telling us to have my husband Ron quit working his regular job and join me at the store. By August our oldest son Joseph came on to take over the cooking. He hadn't had much interest in cooking before (just eating) but it is definitely his God-given talent and gifting. He does phenomenal dishes now and has really blossomed in his new-found love of cooking. Our middle son Adam joined the business full-time working in the retail store and using his gifting of people skills.
We offer bulk purchases in the co-op style even though we also have a regular small retail store. We order wheat from Montana Milling twice a year, we have shipments of apples from Oregon, Palisade peaches from the western slope, bulk buffalo buys, bulk honey, and more. When customers ask for items, I do the research and find the sources. I have been loyal to my sources all these years. When you find beef producers, buffalo producers, wild fish sources, etc, and know of their integrity, why change?
We have definitely had our challenges in business but God has been faithful. I had heard of your husband's passing as several of my customers know you. I also spoke to Cheryl at Montana Milling about it and offered any assistance in dispersing grain to your customers if you needed help.
We have been praying for God to direct every path of our business. If he wants us to diversify, change directions, move forward in what we're doing; all five of us are happy to follow His leading.
I have an email list of over 3,000 customers, have a small website, am now offering breadmaking classes, jam and scone making classes and will expand into canning classes in the very near future. We run a very personal business, sharing the love of Jesus with whoever needs a hug and a listening ear. We have 4 part-time Christian ladies who help me in the store and have the heart of sharing the love of Jesus as well.
Financially we are not in any position to purchase a business, unless God makes this possible and has any other creative ways to accomplish something. I wanted to let you know of our story and see if you feel any connection.
Thanks for reading and we pray for God's blessing and direction for you.
Donna and the Poelstra family.
719-210-4434 cell
Has the business been sold yet? I get your monthly newsletters but don't recall seeing anything about a sale. Curious and interested.
ResponderEliminarThanks,
Anita Chamblee