One of the things that drives my husband crazy about me is also one of my superpowers. It perfectly aligns with the cliché my mother always said about me:
“Kerry, you jump off buildings and build your wings on the way down.”
It’s true. I am impulsive. And though my decisions might keep others up at night (like my husband), they generally don’t keep me awake. Instead, it’s the “lost opportunities” I fret about.
For instance, why didn’t I buy that red suede jacket with fringed arms from MM Cohn when they were having their going out of business sale? A forever missed, classic piece for my wardrobe collection. Now, 30 years later that lost opportunity is still etched into the grooves of my cranium. Or as I like to say, “burned into my brain”.
For others like me, and I suspect most entrepreneurs, we are action oriented. We quick thinkers find it particularly hard to watch and wait around for others, who frankly and most likely will never get off the mark. Thus, we become risk takers out of necessity.
This brings me to my newest venture, the Dreamland Lounge.
On June 20th, the lounge was awarded its permanent ABC liquor license, with the caveat that I needed a final inspection from the Arkansas Department of Health to open. An agent from the department needs to simply come by, put their eyes on my bar equipment, and make sure I have installed it all up to code. A good thing. I’ve heard horror stories of some bad actors dumping sewage into their back parking lots. Yuck!
But alas, it feels almost impossible to get on their schedule. And of course, their website is confusing and inaccurate.
Government Employees
I often joke that our government, both state and federal, are the largest welfare program in our country. Many of the “unhireable” end up with government jobs. It’s a clever idea and a better option than doling out checks and health care for no service. But it can be frustrating for those navigating the government system.
Fortunately, my “dog with a bone” attitude got me to the top of the “food chain” where I found a guy who I think can get the “ball rolling” and schedule an inspection. (If someone learning English reads all those idioms in that last sentence, they would be totally confused. LOL)
So, for now, I’m not jumping off any buildings.
I’ve Landed
Now I’m at the bottom, pushing a boulder uphill, determined to get Dreamland Lounge open by Labor Day.
About the Author
Kerry McCoy founded FlagandBanner.com in 1975 with just $400 and a dream, building it from door-to-door flag sales into a multi-million dollar enterprise. With over five decades in the American flag and banner business, her insights into patriotic trends and flag sales patterns come from serving customers nationwide during times of celebration, crisis, and everything in between.
Kerry is also the host of “Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy” radio show and continues expanding her business empire through Kerry McCoy Enterprises while sharing the entrepreneurial wisdom gained from decades of building the American dream.
