Well, what can I say? This had to be the best Christmas day ever. This is the first Christmas with our new baby boy, Brandt Culver McClung. My wife, Michelle, and I made a decision that Brandt is our Christmas gift this year. So, we did buy presents for one another but we didn't go "overboard" as we have in the year's past. There was an "odd" feeling when I sat a the bottom of the Christmas tree and we stacked up 5 presents for each of us; vs. 20! An overwhelming sense of "peace and fulfillment" has filled my heart today.
We spent the day with family...immediate family and extended family. I realize how incredibly blessed I was in 2010. Crown Event Rentals grew way quicker than anybody would have told me resulting in a 400% increase over last year's business. Michelle gave me the most amazing gift in Brandt; but also in her love for me. I surrounded myself with a strong, creative, team of people to become part of the business.
In 2010 I reflect on those who made the joys of this year possible...My great team for Crown Event Rentals, our families, wonderful clients and a great friend in Peter Filozof. Peter is a local OBGYN and he (and his great wife Stacy) are friends first. It just so happens that he is a great doctor who helped us to make Brandt's life possible.
Speaking of Brandt....what can I say? This little guy has changed my life in just a short month. I am very used to "getting up and going" with little regard to time or schedule. Michelle, and I, would look at each other (in the past few years) and say, "Let's go to Disney next month" or "Wanna' go to Columbus for the weekend?" Let's just say those days are over :) This little gift from God dictates what we do, when we do it and how we do it. He is incredibly selfless; yet demands our full attention. I know that marrying a spouse is a great love. However, when you have this little guy who is dependent on you for EVERYTHING...you die to self and he becomes the next "want to" vs. "have to." I'm not a morning person; nor do I wake up well from sleep. Brandt couldn't care less...if it's 4am he wants one of three things; a clean diaper, formula or boob! (Well, the third items is currently unavailble from daddy ;) Let's just say that he gets formula during the night; if need be.
So, God gave me this amazing baby boy. But God blessed me with a beautiful wife who is completely wired for this mama thing! I watch her with Brandt and just get lost in who she becomes and what she is as a beautiful woman of God. It's like God has the "Mama t-shirt" ready for when the time comes....Mama slips into the shirt and takes on the role as if she's done it all her life. She is truly amazing...
Work. Well, I've never been more excited for a New Year to begin. My work is crazy-stacked up already. We have over 40 weddings and 60 corporate events on the books for 2011. (That's without even advertising or marketing!) I imagine those numbers will triple. My next big projects include taking down Christmas Decor for Peoples Bank (3 locations), Camden Clark, Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Bank, Holl's Chocolates and the President's Home at Marietta College.
Follow that with getting all of the Marketing and Advertising ready for "The Great Bridal Event" 2011 - Our BIGGEST Trade Show of the year organized by Crown Event Rentals. We expect 120 vendors and over 2000 people to show up at the Elite Sports Center on Sunday, March 6, 2011. We have the St. Joe Heart Ball at the end of February and the list just keeps growing.
We begin an advertising commercial on WTAP in January and I'm excited to see how that goes for us.
I just sit back and I'm mezmorized by God's love and grace. I pray to God to keep me creative. If I'm not creative people don't hire me. Creativity is as important to me as fingers are to a surgeon. Creativity is as important to me as a voice is to a newscaster.
The craziest little things spark creativity in my soul. Sometimes I surprise myself. I think it's a matter of always being able to think outside of the creative limits.
I've been having crazy dreams and visions about building on to our FULL 10,000 square foot Event Rental & Prop Warehouse. Let's just say we need to get the debt down (on the building) since we just opened in March 2009! However, I have this 5 year and 10 year plan for the business. I am an impatient person, so, I want the 5 year plan to move up to a 2/3 year plan. So, I will work harder! In my dreams I see all of the great event props, and decor, that I have had over the years (and sold, pitched or gave away) and I also see TONS of props and decor that I had the opportunity to "get/have/buy" that I turned down because of lack of storage. UGH!
I laugh and tell people that Brandt will enjoy coming to work with Daddy someday. He will be the only kid who goes back to school after Summer Break while in 3rd Grade and the teacher will ask, "What did you do this Summer?" Brandt, with spikey hair, will raise his hand high and reply, "I learned how to polish silverware and carry plastic tubs." (Jesus, please don't let him get beat up.)
Brandt will go on to Elementary School and come home to tell me, "Daddy, I told the Principal that you will organize our school carnival and give them everything they need." He will then get to High School and inform me, "Dad, you're doing our prom." Then again, I could have a kid who totally hates his parent's business! One thing my child will always know is the value of a dollar and that I worked hard to get where we are today.
So, what's on the 2011 "Creative List" for me? Let me throw some of the themes atcha' - Wild West, Egyptian, 3-Ring Circus, Sugar, and tons more...Add to that list an anticipated list of over 120 brides; all with their own ideas, and we have quite a year coming up! I'm looking forward to focusing back on the Corporate Events while allowing my team to execute the wedding projects. Wedding rentals were never an area that I thought I'd trod...Michelle told me, demanded me, to enter into that arena and I thank her for that nudge.
Hmmm...just looked at the clock and Christmas Day, 2010, is now over. If I were younger, the trees would be coming down tomorrow and I'd get an adrenaline rush to get "Christmas Gone and New Year On..." Not this year, much to the surprise of my wife, Christmas may be up a little into January.
Well friends, once again...this is just a tremendous amount of ramblings and I hope I didn't bore you to tears! Be well and be blessed in 2011! Keith
