Moving Forward

Yesterday we took the whole family down to the Entrepreneur Fund to meet with our business advisor. A few months ago, Peter and I took out a micro loan from them in order to give us some working capital to sustain our growth. Not only has the loan been great in allowing us to continue our rapid growth recently, but additionally, borrowers receive all kinds of free help from the Entrepreneur Fund. Services like free mentoring and advice from other successful business people, free attendance at local conferences, free business classes, etc. This is obviously great for our business, but also helps cure that itch I have to go and do something crazy like get my master's degree. I love to learn, and I've been missing the intense learning that came with school. I think some classes will satiate that appetite while not dominating my schedule the way a master's degree would.

Our business advisor advised us to take some time together and put together a business plan, as well as a life plan. We put together a business plan when we first started, but haven't revised it since. Obviously, our business, our goals, and the way we run it has changed dramatically over the last few years. Our plans for our life together as a family tie in well with our plans for our business, we just haven't put it in writing. So this is definitely something we plan to do. Peter and I are both excited to prayerfully consider where God is taking our business and our family, and how we can spend more time together. Running this business has already provided us with unique opportunities and experiences as a family, we love to dream together about where God is taking our adventure next.

We are so thankful for all if the added help and resources the Entrepreneur Fund has provided us. We believe this will be a true asset to how we run our business. 

As a side note, keep your eyes open on our local publications for our family and our story. That's all we will say for now!

As I mentioned, we also brought the kids along to the meeting. We promised Clara in particular if she was good we would take her to the toy store across the street when we were done to look around. She was great, so we did. She was very excited about it, and it turned out to be a fun family afternoon.

Our Little Logan

We are so enjoying our newest edition, Logan. He is almost 10 months old now and SO curious about his world. His pediatrician said if 9 month olds were in charge of curing cancer, it'd be done by now because they never give up and research everything. Here are a few pictures of Logan researching our vending machine. 

Peter took both kids out to one of our accounts in Cloquet today so I could get some work done. They love going and it affords me precious dedicated time to work. We are blessed!

Sweeten Up A Bar Mitzvah

A Sweet Event brought some sweetness to our first Bar Mitzvah today. At Northland Vending, we have been pleasantly interested in all of the different types of events we have been able to provide candy buffets for. They are certainly multi purpose- not just for weddings!

We picked up everything for today's event last night. Apparently there has been a run locally on salt water taffy, because we tried 6 different locations before we finally found it. Clara is always happy to help shop for a candy buffet.

We headed up to the new chalet together this afternoon to set up the buffet. We think it turned out nice and was a great mix of the fun sweetness of youth with the classy adult feeling. 

Weddings, school events, grad parties, at home parties, and bar mitzvahs. How can a candy buffet add a unique touch to your next event?