2020 Retail Stars Home Accents Today

I am so excited and honored to have received this award for 2020

and for the 2nd time no less!

Read about the 2020 Retail Stars chosen by Home Accents Today 

 

The article gives some background on the list of  50 finalists and some brief descriptions of each business. 

 

The finalists come from across the United States…

although the only one from New Jersey is The Whistling Elk!

 

I am on cloud nine right now! 

 

The Whistling Elk – A 2020 Retail Star!

The Whistling Elk – A 2020 Retail Star!

Home Accents Today

The Whistling Elk has been named one of the 50 best

home furnishings retailers in the country for 2020!!! 

This is such a wonderful honor especially in the current business environment!

Find a Way to Enjoy The Moment (Staying Home)

Find a Way to Enjoy The Moment (Staying Home)

Right now I m sitting in the sun which is streaming in through my slider…I have never done this before shockingly !!

The Corona Virus, horrible and beastly as it is, has forced me to stop working 24/7 and slow down and take a little downtime.

I have worked my whole life.  Even when switching jobs I didn’t take time in between.  Since opening my own shop 30 years ago I have worked  the whole time between 6 and 7 days a week.  Sure, I took some amazing ski vacations over the years (at Vail my favorite) but even then I fretted about being away from my business.

Now don’t get me wrong, this virus is a terrible, terrible, terrible thing and I am distressed that people are sick and dying.  They are in my thoughts and prayers every day.

But this “stay at home” order is in some ways a gift that I never asked for and never would ask for.  However, now that I’ve got it I am wholeheartedly enjoying it for  the gift that it is and for what it is worth.  I would never have taken time for myself.

For the first time in my life I have no income stream…none in the forseeable future and can’t even imagine how this will all end…but right now the sun is warm, I have nowhere to go, nothing pressing me, and I feel as though God has given me time to rejuvenate, to plan, to rest, to rethink everything, to enjoy the moment!  I will  trust that he has plan and meanwhile I will not allow this gift to go to waste.

Plus and Minus

Plus and Minus

I put together a list this morning of projects that need doing.

I filled an entire sheet.

I posted it and every time I walk by it I think of something else to add.  There are some plusses to being stuck at home. 

Some of the things on the list have been on the back burner for months and perhaps years!

I have decided to make sure that I pick something on that list to complete every day…with that in mind I literally could stay home for a quite a while.

Well, that will take care of some of the time I have on my hands…

I have already discovered this morning that my mind is still creative and fertile…teeming with ideas…mostly how to improve and take my business to the next level…new things I want to do, plans I want to put into action.

It’s almost scary.  Maybe, just maybe, that is why when this is over our economy is going to go nuts….we will all have this pent up creativity and desire to go full steam ahead.

Some things with regard to my business I have already implemented in this new free time I have found myself blessed with.

Minuses, of course, we all know.  We miss each other, we’re a little scared and we can’t wait for it to be behind us.  And, it’s hard stop from eating! 😉

Stay safe, my friends.

Barbara Collins, The Whistling Elk

Barbara

2020 Retail Stars Home Accents Today

I am so excited and honored to have received this award for 2020

and for the 2nd time no less!

Read about the 2020 Retail Stars chosen by Home Accents Today 

 

The article gives some background on the list of  50 finalists and some brief descriptions of each business. 

 

The finalists come from across the United States…

although the only one from New Jersey is The Whistling Elk!

 

I am on cloud nine right now!