My wife and I are expecting our first child in about five weeks, but we often joke that RuMe is really our first kid. If RuMe were a person, it would be 18 months old and really looking forward to the holiday season, hoping for a lot of presents (i.e. sales).
From all we’ve read and learned about child rearing, the past 18 months with RuMe have been eerily similar to what we can expect with little Owen, Molly, Henry, or Lauren – (we still have not decided on a name – we’re open to recommendations).
Like a newborn infant, all RuMe did for the first three months or so was eat, sleep and use the diaper. We were excited about the possibilities, but surprised about how much RuMe ate – lots of initial start-up money went into RuMe with little result for the first few months. Yes, it kept us up at night.
In the next 3 to 6 months, as more customers found us and began using RuMe Bags, and as we began to show RuMe to the world, it started to show a little life, even smiling every once in a while. But even then, it still mostly just ate and slept and pooped. But there were clear signs that RuMe was beginning to develop a personality, very distinctive from any other reusable bag in the market, and every milestone was met with the same sense of pride only a parent can feel.
Now a full 18 months on, RuMe is an active toddler – still needing lots and lots of attention, but beginning to see the world and giving as much as it takes. We hope and pray that RuMe will continue to grow. It’s still in diapers, but we know that RuMe is already loved around the world and it is up to us to continue to guide and develop RuMe to become all it is capable of becoming. Isn’t that the wish of any parent?
You might be asking what is the point of this analogy??? Katy and I never thought we would own a business, especially together. As with most mothers, Katy is the heart and soul behind our “child”, RuMe. Growing up, she never thought she would be a business owner, but rather a dentist and or an artist. She doesn’t even like the word “entrepreneur” – she thinks it sounds pretentious. But given the opportunity, Katy relishes the role and there is nobody that could take her place in developing and guiding RuMe. Like the word or not, she is an entrepreneur!
With all of today’s negativity and doomsday scenarios, the last thing on your mind might be starting a business. However, good ideas don’t always come at the most opportune time. Like parenthood, there is never a perfect time and or guidebook or a plan to running a business – just a lot of hard work, determination and a little (make that a lot) of luck. Many more will fail than succeed, but at least you will know that you gave it a try. There’s an inner-entrepreneur in all of us that needs to be nurtured and developed just like a child.
My wife and I are expecting our first child in about five weeks, but we often joke that RuMe is really our first kid. If RuMe were a person, it would be 18 months old and really looking forward to the holiday season, hoping for a lot of presents (i.e. sales).
From all we’ve read and learned about child rearing, the past 18 months with RuMe have been eerily similar to what we can expect with little Owen, Molly, Henry, or Lauren – (we still have not decided on a name – we’re open to recommendations).
Like a newborn infant, all RuMe did for the first three months or so was eat, sleep and use the diaper. We were excited about the possibilities, but surprised about how much RuMe ate – lots of initial start-up money went into RuMe with little result for the first few months. Yes, it kept us up at night.
In the next 3 to 6 months, as more customers found us and began using RuMe Bags, and as we began to show RuMe to the world, it started to show a little life, even smiling every once in a while. But even then, it still mostly just ate and slept and pooped. But there were clear signs that RuMe was beginning to develop a personality, very distinctive from any other reusable bag in the market, and every milestone was met with the same sense of pride only a parent can feel.
Now a full 18 months on, RuMe is an active toddler – still needing lots and lots of attention, but beginning to see the world and giving as much as it takes. We hope and pray that RuMe will continue to grow. It’s still in diapers, but we know that RuMe is already loved around the world and it is up to us to continue to guide and develop RuMe to become all it is capable of becoming. Isn’t that the wish of any parent?
You might be asking what is the point of this analogy??? Katy and I never thought we would own a business, especially together. As with most mothers, Katy is the heart and soul behind our “child”, RuMe. Growing up, she never thought she would be a business owner, but rather a dentist and or an artist. She doesn’t even like the word “entrepreneur” – she thinks it sounds pretentious. But given the opportunity, Katy relishes the role and there is nobody that could take her place in developing and guiding RuMe. Like the word or not, she is an entrepreneur!
With all of today’s negativity and doomsday scenarios, the last thing on your mind might be starting a business. However, good ideas don’t always come at the most opportune time. Like parenthood, there is never a perfect time and or guidebook or a plan to running a business – just a lot of hard work, determination and a little (make that a lot) of luck. Many more will fail than succeed, but at least you will know that you gave it a try. There’s an inner-entrepreneur in all of us that needs to be nurtured and developed just like a child.
