It’s the little things..
EEK! Super-excited!
I just ordered our business cards & branded mailers! Building our business up, one sale at a time! It’s been a long journey to this point but we’re finally here, Coral.
#mariaenphoenix, previously #theposhwookie was born when my Army Sister devised a plan to help me escape my narcissistic husband. He had convinced me to follow him to Washington, then isolated me and broken my soul. I left with, just the clothes on my back and a small suitcase. I was dying and she knew it.
I had grown up with monsters in my life. I had even known monsters before this, but I had never known monsters like this. I’m certain that had I stayed, you’d be reading about me as one of the 22.
Desperate, I let those close to me know I wanted to go home. Coral, the WMA and three friends helped me get home. I returned home to hear, “I told you so” from so many people, never from Coral though. She never wavered in her support and kept me busy with online thrifting sales so I that could rebuild. Although, I think on some level, she knew that if I didn’t have a project to pre-occupy me, I would fall.
After two months, I had taken the first job I could get, even though it was a $30,000 pay cut from the job in Washington. I was also about to close the door on him. His physical access to me was gone but his emotional access intensified, until the morning I heard the click.
One morning, I decided to take back ME. Staring at my .380, paralyzed in fear, I searched desperately in my head for any semblance of light. I remember thinking, “I just need to make it to the bathroom”.
It took five more months to free myself from his reign of mental torture but a really wise friend (also, an Army Woman Veteran) of mine told me that I didn’t have to pick up the phone and finally, I didn’t.
Instead, I focused on healing, working my full-time job, and building our business. Two months later, I decided I needed a change. After just listing my resume on #indeed, I received a call from who is now my boss. The next day, I received the offer of a lifetime and off to Arizona I went. I was still shaken by what took place in Washington and had zero confidence, personally or professionally. However, I told myself that it was sink or swim and with gross income trickling in from the business, I took a deep breath and jumped!
Once arriving in Phoenix, sales stalled on The Posh Wookie. After a few months of watching the current political climate, I realized that potential buyers weren’t identifying with us. So, I rebranded and hit pay-dirt.
Overall, gross revenue has increased 17% in just 4 months. We didn’t want to invest our own capital and the accountant in me is adamant that the business stands alone. Business cards seems so minute in the grand scheme of things, but this is huge for me. This is forward movement. Proof that the gods have not forsaken me.
Maria En Phoenix probably won’t ever be enormous but it’s here and it reminds me that I’ve survived so much. I survived my demons and It is empirical evidence that love, no matter what form, can move mountains and that it did.
~~ Maria
