01/30/2016
"If one dream should fall apart and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick up one of those pieces and begin again."
2015 was quite a year and one that I am not sad to see go. From personal struggles, family hardships and massive loss to the birth of my son, self growth and starting over. This community has connected me with some of the most kind, loving and caring women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. These women held my hand through the most difficult time of my life. Their love, support, encouragement and optimism, in addition to my husband and children, were the only things keeping me going.
Immediately following the launch of Charlie's Web, it was important to me that I keep my personal and business lives separate. The more that I connected with my clients, main page followers and chatter group members, the more important it became that I break down that wall and be Sandy, the semi-crunchy mama of three (now four), instead of just 'the weaver behind Charlie's Web.' I didn't need to meet everyone that I interacted with in this community to feel obligated to earn their trust and respect; to prove that I am an experienced and knowledgeable weaver who has the best interest of their child(ren) in mind with my weaving. I wanted everyone to get to know the real me. I took off my censor and frequently posted about the goals that I had with CW, my children, etc. When the bumps started coming, I never thought twice about sharing. I believe that because my luck turned so bad so fast and because it lasted for so long that some believed that I was being dishonest. I mean, how much bad luck can come one person's way? To be told that losing your home, moving into a new home, pregnancy complications, health issues with one of your daughters, as well as your father, etc. are all excuses was a shot to the heart. Are there things that I wish I would have done differently? Most definitely. At the time, I handled everything that was happening to the best of my ability.
The first setback occurred in July when a yarn order was delayed for several weeks. Because I had such a solid system in place and never doubted my ability to complete each piece by the date that I quoted my clients, I began taking orders for the next batch before I was aware that the yarn for the first batch would be delayed. There was a lack of communication on the part of the yarn supplier and I had no idea that the yarn was on backorder, as I called twice to confirm that the contents of my order were available before the transaction was finalized. Once the yarn finally arrived and I began the warping process, my family suffered a major blow when we received news that we had lost our home. With plans for two batches of semi-customs finalized and having just entered the third trimester of my pregnancy, time that should have been devoted to working on catching up was spent searching for a place to live. Mid-October we were finally moved out of the old house and into the new. With three daughters, my husband's work schedule and being 37 weeks pregnant, moving was not the fastest or easiest process, but we were finally finished. My priority was to get moved, settled in and get the loom ready for weaving as quickly as possible. Through everything, I was more than forthcoming with everyone in the CW world. I posted updates in the chatter group, kept my clients up to speed through emails and because Facebook had lost my trust by not notifying me of new messages, I gave my clients my cell phone number and told them to call or text me at anytime for an update.
Unfortunately, some of my clients became less understanding as the days passed and I, in no way, blame them for that. It seemed like there was a switch that was flipped and in an instant, everything that I had worked so hard to build was crumbling right before my eyes. It was nothing short of devastating. I hold my clients very close to my heart and I truly value my interactions with them. To know that so many were displeased was extremely difficult. I vowed to do whatever it takes to make things right with each of my clients and I stand by my word. Charlie's Web is my fifth child. I have put every last bit of myself into building something great with CW since the very beginning. I cannot just walk away without putting forth some serious effort to repair my reputation and to regain the trust of this community. Again, are there things that I wish I would have done differently? Most certainly. I do not regret swallowing my pride and sharing my struggles, though. I handled the situations that I was presented with to the best of my ability.
With all of this being said, I want to publicly apologize for my personal issues that have inconvenienced my clients. I also want to thank everyone who has continued to support me through these most difficult of times. I feel I have been given a chance to redeem myself and I will not disappoint. I absolutely believe that 2016 is going to be a great year! I sincerely hope that you will follow CW on this journey of redemption. To show my appreciation for all of the love, support and compassion, we will be selling several flawlessly woven wraps at discounted prices over the next few weeks. I am also working with my amazingly wonderful chatter admin on making some changes in the chatter group and doing wrap, scrap and slot giveaways, contests and games.
Here's to a new year; a fresh start. Thank you, 2016! I am very much looking forward to what you have in store!
