Six Months Later

Six months later and it’s still hard to believe. Never would I have thought this is where my daughter’s journey would take us. We’re now considered small business owners and with it comes every triumph, struggle, worry, and happiness you can imagine.

What sets us apart from other businesses is that our employees all have disabilities, different needs, and unique talents that we diligently try to accommodate for so that they can be successful. Let me honestly say however, that as the “manager in charge” it is exhausting. My staff have become my family and I’ll support each of them all that I can. If you are reading this and have a child with a disability you know how hard it is. I have six; six amazing individuals to care for. Six that keep me awake some nights trying to figure out how to ensure their success. Six amazing individuals that are all so different but share one thing in common; they all thrive being a part of their community.

I’ve witnessed it firsthand not only with my daughter but with the rest of our staff as well; being actively involved in the community is a great gift. Oftentimes we take for granted the priveledge of being able to get up in the morning and go to work. To interact with others, to feel appreciated, to be involved is something that has made a huge impact on the lives of all of our staff.

Most of us by now are familiar with the phrase, “it takes a village.” I personally have been able to see for myself these past six months the impact that a village can make. Chapters Coffee Carts honestly would not be able to exist without you, our village. To everyone that has contributed to our Amazon wishlists, thank you, you’ve made a difference. To our “regular” customers that stop by our cart, thank you, you’ve made a difference. To our passerby’s that stop by and drop something in our donation box, thank you, you’ve made a difference. To our social media followers always sending us positive thoughts, thank you, you’ve made a difference. To our donors, your contributions have made a difference, thank you. Finally, to the community of Medford, supporting us, embracing us and welcoming us to be actively involved in our own hometown, thank you, you’ve made a difference.

These past six months have been like none other. I’ve never worked so hard in my life. I’m exhausted but determined to make this work. Seeing the difference it has made not only in my daughter’s life but in the live’s of our other staff make me determined to push ahead. Times are tough for us all but as a small business owner just getting started, it’s to say the least, beyond challenging. “Never ever give up,” is what I have told myself throughout the journey with my daughter. No matter how hard things got we kept pushing for what we believed in. Our journey has now led us to our own company, Chapters Coffee Carts, and after being open for six months we’re determined to keep moving ahead. These next six months are going to be even more amazing; just wait and see.