I was a stay at home mom for 17 years! With six kids, you kinda have to be. But 2016 had all sorts of adventures in store for us ( new career, new city, new home) and when Blake started kindergarten, I needed a purpose, so I got a job as a delivery driver at Jason's Deli.

Getting back into the work force after 17 years was very intimidating! Trying to figure out the dynamics of co worker relationships, make new friends in a new city and cope with my kids not needing me 24/7 was tougher than I thought it would be.

As a delivery driver, I enjoyed driving around this new town and learning all the different ways to get places. I got lost a ton and enjoyed talking with customers as I handed them their food. But it was still lonely. Being out on delivery all the time meant that I really didn't get to know my co workers very well, at least not right away. I felt I needed more, but wasn't sure what.

The “what” turned out to be the fledging Amarillo Community Market that had just started thanks to an inspiring and energetic New Mexico transplant( thanks Lindsay!). After going back and forth on what I wanted to create for the market, I nervously sent in my application and waited.

And waited

And cried . And just knew that I wasn't accepted and why even bother and why were we even here in Amarillo anyway?

Chris gave me a hug, told me to wait and when the acceptance email came in, made sure I didn't chicken out.

Our first market day, we had hand painted signs and checkerboards,some wood coaster sets and two wahoo game boards that I had drilled and painted. I don't remember if we sold anything that first day. I know we didn't sell much at all that first season. Each week, I would make a few more things and Chris would tell me, “ we are not here to make money right now. We are just learning. So if we don't sell anything, that's okay”.

I had a notebook and took notes each weekend. I met other vendors and interviewed them. Listened to the feedback I received from customers and each sign or board I created improved.

By the end of the summer, we had done a few custom orders, Chris took over the drilling and sanding of the game boards and we opened our Etsy shop thinking we might try and sell a few for Christmas.

I had been working part time as a delivery driver for about a year at this point and with less than 30 sales on Etsy, I was ready to jump head first into our new venture of game boards and signs. We talked about it. Our goal seemed closer with each Cha-ching from Etsy.

Then,a year later on our Anniversary, Chris gave me this sign! It says, “ You can quit ” in bright orange, hand painted letters. It is the best anniversary gift I have ever gotten!

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed working at Jason's Deli and I finally felt like I fit in, at least a little. This sign wasn't about me quite a job. It is the confidence that Chris has in me, in us. In our business. When I look at this sign, I see, “ you can quit” and “ I believe in you” and “ you've got this” and “ you are Kick-Ass!”

This sign has a permanent spot on my desk. When I feel overwhelmed and defeated, I see this and know that Chris has my back. That even if I don't have the confidence in me, he does. Sometimes that is all I need.

Have a great day!

~Chris & Carrie