It was 1984 and I thought I had it all. Our daughter had been born that year; I had sold my accounting practice and was going to be a full time Mum. My only work commitment was going to be doing the accounting for my husband’s business which was a Farm Machinery Dealership in Esperance Western Australia.
Life was pretty good. That was until we got the news that would change everything in our world. The parent company of the farm machinery we sold had gone into receivership.
We had tractors, headers and other farm machinery on floor plan (a system where you pay interest on the items until you sell them – I think it was around 18 per cent at the time!). We also had a high level of spare parts we owned. All of which pretty much became obsolete over night.
There was another parent company that came in to try and pick up the pieces but the bottom line was our stock was machinery that people no longer wanted to buy.
Just over a year later we closed our doors, sold what we could to clear our business debts (including our beach front house) and moved to the city of Perth to start again.
I was as optimistic as I could be and knew I could go back to my profession of accounting. My dream to stay home with my daughter looked like it would not be realized but I knew I could feed us. I have never been one to sit around and feel sorry for myself so I did what I thought was needed and found myself a job.
My husband was not as optimistic as the business had been a family one he had taken over and it was all he knew. One thing he was very clear about was that he wanted to use what he had learned to help people not make the mistakes he believed he had made. Ivan went on to become an excellent financial planner and over time we had our own business with another partner.
Lesson 1
What did my husband believe he should have done differently?
It was to not have all of your eggs in one basket. We had a dealership with one organization and we basically lost it all when they had financial difficulties. It was very much like a franchise is today which can be great when all is going well and the company is financially strong.
We later made other business decisions we would live to regret but at this time we were clear we wanted a future business where we did not have to carry stock or debtors. And we wanted to have a business with a recurring income stream (residual or passive income).
Lesson 2 (realized much later)
It has only been in recent years as I have truly understood residual incomes and home based business options that I realize I could have made a very different choice and could have stayed home with my daughter. It is the one thing I truly regret in my life.
I am now passionate about helping people create a business that gives them lifestyle choices.
Terry Petrovick says
Hi Sue,
Yes life sometimes gives us hard lessons; however, it we can shift our thinking those same lessons can empower us and thousands of people around the world.
Keep sharing the dream Sue!
Best of Success!
Terry
.-= Terry Petrovick´s last blog ..Rare Interview with Jonathan Budd-Go Behind the Curtain =-.
Sue says
Hi Terry
Your words are very wise ones. I can get caught up in wishing I had seen things differently earlier but I do know it is when we are ready to see.
Have a great week.
Sue
Coach Freddie says
Hey Sue,
We all have difficult times in our life and we have to look at them as lessons to learn and opportunities to grow. Nice post.
Coach Freddie
Sue says
Hi Coach Freddie
Yes we do. In reflection this time in my life took me in a direction of enriched experiences I may not have had if this had not happened.
Thanks for commenting.
Sue
Linda G. Cox says
Sue,
It’s exciting to hear how open minded you have been over the years! I love reading your blog, and learning what you’ve experienced! I thank you for sharing and look forward to learning more!
Sue says
Thanks Linda. We all have our different journeys and leaning and it is great we can share our experiences via our blogs.
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Adam Robinson says
These types of experiences often lead to the betterment of our lives, whether we believe it or not. You are doing better now. You’re in the position to help other people. A lot of careers do not have that kind of opportunity. You’re very fortunate to have found what you’re passionate about and had the courage to pursue it.
Sue says
Hey thanks for the feedback Adam. It is amazing how these types of experiences often end up to be a blessing in disguise. At the time we do not see that though. We just need to trust and keep moving forward.
Sue
Remona says
This is the third time I’ve been to your site. Thanks for providing more details.
Sue says
Thanks for the feedback and for re-visiting my site. I appreciate that.
Sue