What does it mean to have a teenage business?

Well, if you’ve been in biz over ten years, you already know. If you haven’t, it’s this: you’re probably pretty good at what you do if you’ve lasted this long. You’ve seen a lot. And you’ve got a lot figured out. 

So what about when your business enters it’s twenties?​

I mean, what was I expecting from a place called The Orange Cat Cafe?

An orange cat, of course.

But I was pleasantly surprised by the sense of fun I felt as I entered this rural Maine eatery .
​
The Orange Cat Cafe is on our route to Ontario from New Brunswick - we take a short cut through Maine and come back into Canada somewhere in Quebec. (it’s a long but beautiful drive)

I found a loophole when I was in high school that allowed me to complete all the credits I needed to graduate early - one semester before my classmates. 

I know! 

How did that happen? ​

​​My school switched from full-year courses to a semester system when I was in grade 11 and, because I hadn't taken any "spares", I found a way to finish up at the end of January (instead of June) in my graduation year. 

​You could not surprise me as a kid.
​Or so I thought.

I was TERRIBLE.

I searched every nook and cranny for hidden Christmas presents leading up to the big day. 

I opened and re-wrapped gifts under the tree. 

​I. Could. Not. Help. Myself.

Do you remember the first word you ever said? 

I don’t even remember the first words my kids said. Maybe Momma? Dada?

But I DO remember the first word that Melanie ever said.

Melanie was the young daughter of a photographer I worked for in my early twenties. Some days I worked in the darkroom at his photo studio, some days I was sorting negatives. And some days I looked after little Mel if her Mom got called in to work. 

Those were the fun days.

I don’t think my Dad ever drove by a wide open parking lot after a fresh snowfall without pulling in to do a few donuts. In the station wagon. With us kids in the back seat, loving it.

This same fun-loving guy sang inappropriate university drinking songs - with modified lyrics - when we were kids. Sometimes while making us breakfast, or getting us ready for school...“She’s got freckles on her BUT she is nice”. ​

38 years ago today, I joined my buddy June and her brand new husband (Danny) on their honeymoon trip. 

Yes, I just revealed that I have friends that are way, WAY older than me.

The wedding took place in our home town, Brockville, and after the festivities subsided I needed to get back to Ottawa. 
​
The newlyweds were heading through Ottawa to a honeymoon destination in Quebec that Sunday and they very generously offered me a ride. 
​
It seemed like a good idea at the time.

​Last week, we packed up our sweet cape cod house, cleaned it from top to bottom and recycled a ton of stuff. 

But we were still left with a mountain of garbage, including three old, crappy garbage cans. 

What was the hardest part of leaving the house we've been in for 17 years? Was it leaving all the memories behind? Deep cleaning it from top to bottom? Packing a kazillion boxes?

​Nope. 

Remember that pivotal day when you KNEW you would start your own business? I remember that day well.

I was downsized from a cool start-up company (along with 60 of my colleagues) and I decided to strike out on my own. No more "job" job.

​I was going to be Kim.Inc, put out my own shingle, and start my own company. 

I didn't know how much I wanted to ride my bike through Times Square in NYC until I realized it might be impossible!

For our two-month stay in Manhattan I was going to rent a bike but when I saw the crazy rental prices at the hole-in-the-wall bike rental shop in Tribeca, I decided to buy one of those cool turquoise city bikes instead. ​

​That bike was my favourite way to get around NYC. ​

I was a newbie at Banfield-Seguin Advertising & Design in Ottawa back in the late 80’s when I met Bill.

I had heard so many epic stories about Bill and his antics before I got to know him.

​Working with him every day was a hoot. I have never met anyone with more spirit and sense of adventure. He could figure anything out. He had an idea for every prank - no matter how complicated - and a costume for every event. Bill was legendary.

My favourite Bill story took place in 1988. ​