The "Life Changing" Business Opportunity I Said No To

It was a busy day in October when a friend called me to let me know that the property I had dreamed of owning for years was potentially about to come for sale. I was walking through it less than 24 hours later. And about 10 minutes after my walk through I was sold. Let’s be totally honest I was sold the moment my friend called me.

It was seriously everything we dreamed of and needed. Sweetwater would become everything I had ever imagined it to be at this property. We could grow flowers, host events, provide curated lodging for people, have retail, have the damn coffee cart I always talk about, I could have an office!

I was so deep into the vision I had (my super power is being a visionary) I saw all the things, the driveway lined with white hydrangea, the sign at the road, the absolutely insane vacation rental on site, the curated dinner parties and special events, the flower garden we called “Lily’s Garden” with a bench dedicated to her, we would truly have it all.

Months passed by and I spent every waking second crunching numbers. Figuring out the money, the operational costs, the estimated revenue increase, the payroll increase, you name it me + AI + a trusted team of advisors discussed non stop what this property would need from us and in turn, what it would be able to do for us. I walked my friends through it, my family saw it, I gave a one hour presentation to my brother and sister about what it would mean for me, my family & our business.

The TV show? If we got this property - it would be a no brainer. I want you to imagine if Magnolia hit Northern Michigan with a Kalin spin. I was ready. I brought it to my mastermind group, I brought it to any mentor I have, and the resounding answer from most of my inner circle and loved ones was; you have to do this. “It’s so smart.” “It’s so strategic.” “It’ll set up your business for decades to come.”

I kept imagining the Instagram post. I kept imagining the article I’d write here sharing the news with all of you first. I kept seeing it. I can still see it so clearly it’s like it already exists on another timeline.

And before I knew it June was here. And June was… being June. It was so busy and so full and so beautiful and my deadline to make the decision was here and I had the plan and knew the timeline and I was ready… it was going to change our life.

Not going to lie the work was a lot. On top of a very busy month for our business I was pulling an additional side job trying to write this business plan and run the numbers again and wrap my head around this project coming into our life. I needed to time it right and then it was time to hit go…

And I called my dear friend, my trusted advisor, my mentor, my close close confidant who is also the best realtor I’ll ever know and I told him when he answered on the first ring:

“I’m passing on the farm.”