It finally hit home as we left the business manager's office in the bank this morning.
Months in discussion, endless checklists and soul searching, but today, after signing a multitude of documents, the final steps were taken and Tracy Anne Promotions became Alex's.
Well, not quite yet. CIPC has to rubber stamp the CK2 paperwork we sent off registered mail today. But still, we're done.
The tsunami of emotion hit from behind and klapped me on the back of the head as we exited the bank. The little company I'd started up 10 years ago is no longer part of my life.
The confident woman, very precisely instructing the SME business manager as to exactly what she wanted him to do; steadfastly declining his eager sales pitch to increase his revenue and push TAP's already ludicrously high banking fees through the roof, is no longer part of it. The inky scribbles have removed my powers and relevance, and with a few pen strokes I'm both unemployed and disenfranchised.
Standing in the hot sunlight, fighting back the tears, I realised how special my NOT so little company is. Sure, we don't have a large staff complement. Our turnover is just below the BEE threshold, we don't manufacture or sell gazillions of gizmo's or gadgets, and outside of our niche industry, no one has ever heard of us, or even considered that what we do constitutes a business.
Started up and run from home; only bothering to make up and posh up if I had clients to see. Stumbling along, dealing with crises and developments as they happened, a 1 woman show for 5 years. It never actually dawned on me that this is a proper company, an achievement to be proud of.
The progression from crawling to striding forward happened so quietly, almost unconsciously, that the years slipped by: along the way more and more staff were hired, a logo and a website developed, additional phone lines installed, Walton's raided for stationery, and office supply stores for furniture.
Eventually, with 5 of us, leave forms and various protocols had to be developed. Staff meetings. Christmas parties - half day spa's in the country! Way better than restaurant lunches!
Alex gently reminded me once that I was wearing my slippers when she came over for her job interview! Well, it was a cold July day in Jozi, the slate floor maintaining a temperature slightly above that of the black frost which had savaged the garden. And frankly, I was always so lost in work, thoughts of projecting a professional image rarely entered my head. I was too busy to realise that I was not properly dressed!
But our little company grew and grew, punching well above it's weight. We earned the respect of service providers, centre management and clients for our friendly, cheerful integrity, professionalism, hard work and "can do" attitude. Our competitors loathed us, we made them look sloppy and unethical. Our ethos - do it right, the first time. And if things go wrong, fix them first, and fast; fight about the cause afterwards.
Herbal nerve drops on hand for those difficult days; tissues, shoulders and tea always on tap. Celebrations were plentiful - sometimes for landing a new, exciting client or campaign, sometimes for good news on the staff personal front, mostly, just because it felt like a great day for a surprise muffin and bubbly treat. Push our chairs back, put our feet up and listen to the noise volume go through the roof!
Strangely, my joy and zest for the business dropped as the turnover and profit increased.
Confiding this to my friend Janice, she astutely put her finger directly on the button.
Four eager beavers were going out and getting new business signed up, whilst I worked diligently on the things I loathe - the strangling spaghetti of small business red tape: annual returns, BEE certification, vat, payments....only emerging from under the felled forest of officialdom and engaging with the actual business when one of the team came to me with a disaster they couldn't rescue themselves.
Thanks, Cookie, you have no idea how many times that analysis supported me when all seemed dark!
My role changed from going and doing, to encouraging and watchdogging. For years, I was continually nagging the team to get a Green / Enviro expo going - we tried, so many times, with little success. Ahead of our time, but that failure still rankles.
And as my shoulders broadened and skin thickened, clients and creditors alike learned to treat us with the same respect we offered them. The watchdog barked!
"And now, the time has come...the final curtain..." Thanks Frank S!
I'm proud to hand TAP over to Alex. Her gentle grace brings a dimension my stroppy toughness lacked - we were the best partners imaginable. I refuse to wish her good luck - as much as I believe in fate, angels, circles and connections, there is no way that a simple twist of chance is going to make a success of TAP for her.
Her single minded dedication and commitment, fanatical organising skills, positive outlook and absolute passion for what she does will expand, change and improve the company immeasurably. And hopefully, the Green/ Enviro and Golden Oldie themes will eventually come to pass!
Alex, it's been an honour and a privilege to work with you. Without you, I wouldn't have the opportunity to follow my next dream - you've made it happen.
This one's for you, kid. Thank you. xx
My dear Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the beautiful blog you have sent.
Well, it again had me in tears and I have so many mixed emotions about now being TAP on my own.
I am so excited, but also feel there is a huge part of us missing.
Tracy, I feel privledged to be running TRACY Anne Promotions and I will hold the company name proud and high, as we have done over the years that we have been together.
As I had said to you in the kitchen on Sunday, I have you to thank for all of the inspiration, passion, guidance and trust that you have given me over the years.
I have learnt so much from you, I have grown as a person, Tracy. I value your opinions, input, energy and our true friendship that has grown out of TAP.
You are an incredible woman, and I am so lucky to have you in my life – and yes - an angel on my shoulder.
Tracy, Thank YOU! xxx
Lots of love, Alex