We just had our official ribbon cutting for our office in Hillsboro, OR with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. This was a milestone event for us and we are so thankful for everyone who came and supported us. With this milestone I wanted to share some thoughts and why this was so special to me. This event was very special to all of us, but I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last 19 months of business from my perspective.
This started out as a small conversation between friends. Chris and I were finding our professional world seemed to be taking a different path than we thought. We knew we needed something different. We needed something that made us happy and supported our family and lifestyle dreams. Through many conversations and planning sessions we decided to take the next steps in our professional careers. That's when the Ekersons and Smiths decided that with our combined knowledge and experience we could set out on a new adventure and be very successful with it. Y’all, we did it!
Yes, I know this is still a baby business. We have a lot to learn and growth to continue. The amount of success we have seen, the support we have been shown and the guidance people have provided to us has taken us farther in these last 19 months than I ever thought possible. That is what has made this all worth it and has confirmed that we all made the right decision.
Believe it or not, but owning a roofing company was a dream for Chris and I. We have been in this industry for a long time and we love it. We had a plan and were headed down the path to own a successful company that was already established. We poured our blood, sweat and even (my) tears into that business. One day we saw that plan was changing and it was very quickly taken away from us. Even though we saw the writing on the wall that this was no longer going to be our path to ownership, it was quite devastating. It was hard to let go and move on. However, the timing was right.
This ribbon cutting symbolizes so much more to us than just an opening of an office space. It symbolizes that our hard work was worth the fear, uncertainty and yes, even the tears again. It was worth taking that leap of faith and trusting that God had bigger and better plans for all of us.
A quote I love to remember in times of uncertainty that reminds me to stay on the positive side of my thoughts. I often fall on the negative and this just helps put things in perspective.
“There is freedom waiting for you in the breezes of the sky and you ask, 'what if I fall?' Oh but my darling, what if you fly?” - Erin Hanson
I want to encourage you, if you have thought about doing something for yourself, to take the steps and follow your dreams. You never know where you will end up or how far you will get. Ask yourself, “What if I fly?”.
Thank you for reading and being here to support our business, family, and dreams! You have helped me fly!
I hope you enjoy these photos captured by Lee Gochenour.