Fifteen Years: A Roller Coaster Ride

• Posted on 25 October 2023
• 0

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It's hard to believe it, but it's been fifteen wild, bumpy, and often stomach-churning years since I embarked on the ‘thrilling’ journey of repossessing my business. Looking back, it's a tale filled with ups and downs that rivals any roller-coaster.

My first action was to call the TN Department of Revenue; sales tax hadn’t been paid in months. The state was preparing to padlock in two days. My business credit? The rogue character falsely passed my credit as his own; my formerly pristine credit worthiness was thrown into a horrifying pit. It felt like trying to untangle a severely knotted ball of string; nearly hopeless.  With resolve, and the help of many, we rolled up our sleeves, and got to work.

Accompanying the repossession, came the "Great Recession" of 2008/09. The financial chaos left me teetering on the edge, clutching onto my business like a parachutist grasping for the safety chute. Adversity can bring out the best, and with creative resourcefulness, and a community of loyal supporters, we somehow navigated that seemingly certain death spiral.

In 2010, Mother Nature decided to join the party. We had to survive a flood that swamped us, quite literally. It was like being on a two-day water ride. Survive we did; we banded together with our fellow flood-fighters. The misery got washed away, along with the mud.

As I look at where we are today, I can't help but feel immense gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild, both fiscally and physically. Gratitude for the incredible team that stuck with me through every twist and turn. Gratitude for you, and the supportive community that continues to rally around us.

A toast to the past fifteen years; filled with terrifying disaster, and unbelievable recovery. We've faced challenges, peered into the face of adversity, and emerged stronger. I invite you to join us; celebrating this roller-coaster ride. I look forward to the next thrilling chapter in our story…but hopefully not too thrilling!

David Bates