And mistakes will be made

 And mistakes will be made...

We just completed a large, rush order.  We went from scratch, from concept through formulation through samples and revisions and tweaking and finalizing, through ordering and receiving supplies, recruiting help, 4 stages of manufacture, and finally, delivery of 500 items...all in two weeks!

I don't know whether to pat myself on the back or slap myself upside the head!  We did it!  And the new product is fabulous!  But...Whatever was I thinking?  Caught up in the heat of the rush, someone else's timetable, no questions asked, we just dove in.

Mistakes were made.  No doubt about it.  Time, effort and money were wasted, sad but true.  But, what we've come away with, I'm proud to say, is a template, a real tool, 3 pages long so far, of how to do this next time a custom request comes along.  How to ask the right questions, get the right assurances and approvals, budgets and schedules, that all parties can work with.  Up front.  What a concept!

That's what I like about being in business.  No mistake can go unturned.  All are harvested for that teaching, healing moss. Quicker, cheaper and more effective than going to a school or seminar.  As they say, it really hits home.  

So, bring it on, I say.  Bring on your custom herbal challenges.  I'll be ready, now, with a list of questions.  Living and learning.  What small business is all about.  It works for me!