So how is your 2012 going so far? Mine is fantastic, thanks for asking. In fact, it's even better than I hoped for - which means I haven't had time to pull together posts for this blog as frequently as I had planned. While that may disappoint the 3 of you who will read this, please know it was benign neglect and not willful abandonment.
"That's a good problem to have" is a phrase I overuse when talking to others (second only to the word "actually"), but this a rare occasion that I can apply it to my own situation.
The foundation project is coming along nicely. As with all construction projects, however, there has been a slight setback. My car decided a week ago that it was just tired and needed a rest. It's been a truly reliable companion - necessity, really - and I can't complain about it though I do wish it had retired closer to home and not in Georgia.
My line package is lighter by one. No, I'm not naming names - you'll have to guess. People in this industry rarely talk about lines they lose, but the fact is that sometimes it's just not a good vendor-rep match and the best solution is dissolution of the relationship.
Oddly, it has turned out be a relief because my plate is full. It's like when you find out an event has been canceled that you really didn't have time for, anyway, because you were overcommitted that week.
The Atlanta show was good (except for the car part), and now it's on to the New York show this weekend. Based on my chats with customers, I'm expecting it to be well-attended and lucrative. The holiday season was a good one for most retailers, so my optimism for 2012 remains unaltered.
Jeff
