Magic Cabin

by Sara McDonald

In 1988 I was a 28-year-old stay-at-home mom. I had no drive or inclination to do anything other than be at home raising the girls and to spend time making things from scratch. I dabbled in nearly every art and craft medium, but was especially drawn to the textiles: sewing, knitting and making toys for the girls. By 1988 I had made numerous dolls for the girls and friends and family, and now strangers were asking where to get them and the seeds of a business were born. So in Jan. of ’89 we incorporated and became “serious” about developing the business.

And in comes Dad. By 1989 he was a successful entrepreneur, and like many such men I’ve met since, he believed his success could be duplicated if you followed HIS every word of advice. I have no doubt that he found me infuriating in those early years as I often refused to follow his way, but a few pearls did shine through and no doubt helped to make a difference in my subsequent success.

1) When I complained to Dad that I didn’t like the business/financial end of running a business, just wanted to make things, he looked at me with this stricken face, knowing with all certainty that I was doomed as a business woman and said, “we’ll, you better LEARN to love it baby!” He went on to explain that you could farm out all parts of your business but if you didn’t understand your own finances you were screwed. Luckily, this was one thing I took to heart and followed and am grateful for.

2) I’m not sure if he recognized that there were many successful businesses prior to the computer age, but he felt I could not possibly run my biz without a computer. We argued about this every time we were together. I kept my books in an old-fashioned ledger, and wrote my plans and designs by hand and didn’t see the need to absorb this cost (significantly higher in those days). We had moved the family to southern Wisconsin in late 1990 and were now living entirely off the little business. Dad was so adamant about this point that one day in the summer of ’91 the UPS truck pulled up to our house and delivered a home computer, printer and all. Again, he was right, it made our life sooooo much easier and he was so generous to just give it outright.

3) “Borrow money and develop a relationship with your banker BEFORE you need it.” I had this stubborn notion that I could build my business without ever needing to borrow $$. But actually the more successful it became the more challenging this was because of cash flow. I’m sure Dad gave a huge sigh of relief when I finally established contact with the local bank.

Through all of those early days he freely offered his advice (sometimes at nauseum), but never once said “I told you so” when proven right. He and Mom were also unflinching in their support as we left good paying jobs to move to Viroqua and try to subsist on a crazy little business that had yet to turn a profit. Their faith in us is one of things I hold most dear.